Lexus NX

One of Lexus’ highly sought-after models, the new Lexus NX (second-generation) upgraded for the year 2025 and launched in Malaysia.

The C-segment (compact SUV) runner underpins the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA-K) platform with two powertrain options (petrol: ICE – hybrid: HEV).

Fully imported (CBU – Japan), available via Lexus Malaysia are two variants (NX 350h Luxury – MYR 395,888, NX 350 F Sport – MYR 415,888).

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) include vehicle (five years/unlimited mileage) and HEV battery (eight years/unlimited mileage – NX 350h Luxury) warranties.

Exterior colours (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport: Sonic Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Chrome, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Madder Red, Blazing Carnelian Contrast Layering, Terrane Khaki Mica Metallic – NX 350 F Sport: White Nova Glass Flake, Heat Blue Contrast Layering).

Interior colours (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport: Black-Black, Black-Dark Rose – NX 350 F Sport: Black-Hazel, Black-Flare Red).

The new NX gets an angular and a cascading dashboard (‘TAZUNA’ cockpit), linked to a low-rising-wide centre console (air-conditioning controls – wireless charger – drive settings).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, steering wheel, centre console, doors), it sees variant-specific colour schemes (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport: Black-Black, Black-Dark Rose – NX 350 F Sport: Black-Hazel, Black-Flare Red) with contrast trims (NX 350h Luxury: 3D Cutting Black – NX 350 F Sport: Dark Spin Aluminium).

Equipped are the driver/central displays (instrument cluster, infotainment), air-conditioning vents (rectangular: vertical corners, horizontal centre), an ambient light system (LED: 64-colour, customisable, welcome/door courtesy lights) and foot pedals (NX 350h Luxury: standard, NX 350 F Sport: Aluminium).

Inclusively, the layout is simple and straight-forward with accessibilities purposefully arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

Installed is a 7.0-Inch colour TFT LCD fully digital (Multi-Information Display – MID) driver display (instrument cluster). Included is a Head-Up Display (HUD).

Features are vehicle telematics, Bluetooth, navigation, voice recognition and customisable interface (drive mode dependent).

Comfortable, the interior sees leather (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport) upholstery in variant-specific colour schemes (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport: Black-Black, Black-Dark Rose – NX 350 F Sport: Black-Hazel, Black-Flare Red).

The front gets electric-powered (driver/-passenger: multi-way-adjust, driver-lumbar, driver-memory, heating/ventilation, power-easy access) COMFORT (NX 350h Luxury) and F SPORT (NX 350 F Sport) seats. The rear gets a manual-operated (60:40 split-fold) bolstered bench (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport).

Included are headrests (adjustable: front, rear), armrests (front – centre console, rear – centre seat fold-out), headliner (NX 350h Luxury: Grey, NX 350 F Sport: Black) and scuff plates (front: stainless-steel).

A five-seater (compact SUV), the cabin offers generous space, providing comfortable seatings with ample interior mobility for the occupants (front, rear).

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

Mounted is a three-spoke-round steering wheel (NX 350h Luxury: standard, NX 350 F Sport: F SPORT), wrapped in single-tone (Black) leather (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport) with contrast trims (Satin Silver) and stitching (interior colour dependent).

Features are multi-switches (Bluetooth, media, voice recognition, vehicle telematics), column adjustments (electric: tilt, telescopic – memory) and paddle shifters.

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Variable Rack Gear system (turning radius: 5.8 M).

Practical storage spaces. E.g., glove box, partitioned/caverned/under-stowage centre console compartments and seat back/side door pockets.

Provided are four cup holders (two – front, rear) and four bottle holders (one – side doors).

Equipped are three USB ports (front, rear), three 12 V sockets (front, rear) and one wireless charger (front).

Accessing (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport) the boot’s electric-tailgate (handsfree – remote/key fob, kick-sensor, tailgate button), opens to 520-Litres (rear seats up) and 1,436-Litres (rear seats down) of load capacities.

Weighing in at 1,870 KG (NX 350h Luxury) and 1,860 KG (NX 350 F Sport), the new NX stands at 4,660 MM long, 1,865 MM wide, 1,670 MM tall and with a wheelbase spanning 2,690 MM.

Solidly sporty and rugged, it exudes a sharply circular sculpted exterior, emphasised by angular and cleanly cut contours.

The front-end sees a formed bonnet, raised quarter panels (flared fenders), a large grille (NX 350h Luxury: ‘Spindle Grille’ U-mesh, NX 350 F Sport: ‘Spindle Grille’, interlocking L-mesh – Lexus emblem) and an angular bumper (NX 350h Luxury: slim vertical corner vented, NX 350 F Sport: thick vertical corner vented).

Accentuations, body clad (Black: bumper, fenders, side sills, vents), bumper trim (NX 350h Luxury: Black, NX 350 F Sport: Satin Silver), grille (NX 350h Luxury: Satin Silver, NX 350 F Sport: Jet Black), window surrounds (NX 350h Luxury: Satin Silver, NX 350 F Sport: Jet Black), side mirrors (NX 350h Luxury: Black arms, NX 350 F Sport: Jet Black full cap), roof rails (NX 350h Luxury: Satin Silver, NX 350 F Sport: Jet Black) and Lexus emblem (Chrome).

Athletically solid, it continues the sharply circular sculpted exterior, emphasised by horizontal and angularly lined creases.

The rear-end sees a mildly dipped roofline (roof-edge spoiler, shark fin antenna), raised quarter panels (flared fenders), a tapered tailgate (Lexus/NX 350 script) and a covered bumper (diffuser: hidden exhaust – slit vertical corner vented).

Accentuations, body clad (Black: diffuser, fenders, side sills, vents), bumper trim (NX 350h Luxury: Black, NX 350 F Sport: Satin Silver), window surrounds (NX 350h Luxury: Satin Silver, NX 350 F Sport: Jet Black), roof rails (NX 350h Luxury: Satin Silver, NX 350 F Sport: Jet Black) and Lexus/NX 350 script (Chrome).

Seamless, the headlamps are framed sharp, slim and inward-tilted with pointed edges. Installed are full LED (3-beam projector) units.

Features are automatic On/Off/levelling/cornering, Adaptive High-beam System (AHS), L-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), welcome lights and sequential turn signals (LED).

Seamless, the tail lamps are framed slim, full width (lightbar) and sharp with pointed wraparound edges. Installed are LED combination units.

Features are automatic On/Off, welcome lights and sequential turn signals (LED). Included are a high-mounted stop light (spoiler integrated) and a set of fog lamps (front, rear).

The side mirrors (NX 350h Luxury: Black-body-colour, NX 350 F Sport: Jet Black) are electric-powered (auto-fold, adjust).

Features are turn signals (LED), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor – BSM), memory, heating, reverse-link and electro-chromic (driver).

Fitted are ventilated (front, rear) disc brakes. Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Fitted are sets of 20-Inch five-star-spoke (NX 350h Luxury: Dark Grey Metallic-Bright Machined) and multi-spoke (NX 350 F Sport: Super Gloss Black Metallic) alloy rims, wrapped in 235/50 R20 (front, rear) Bridgestone Alenza 001 (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport) run-flat tyres.

The new NX is equipped with the ‘Lexus Safety System+’ suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Grouped are Front Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Stop/Go (DRCC-S/G), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), Adaptive High-beam System (AHS), Active Cornering Assist (ACA), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Parking Support Brake (PKSB) and Surround View Camera (360-degree, reverse-dynamic guidelines).

Other systems include, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control System (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Hill-Start Assist (HSA), Down-Hill Assist Control System (DAR), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold.

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver-passenger, driver-knee, front sides, front-rear curtains), seat belts (reminders, pre-tensioners, anchors), ISOFIX (two – rear-outer-seat), parking sensors (four – front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), side mirrors (BSM, driver-electro-chromic), rear-view mirror (interior: electro-chromic), impact beams, door ajar warning, automatic headlamps (On/Off/levelling/cornering), automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent) and anti-theft system (security alarm, immobiliser).

Multiple drive modes enabled (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport: NORMAL, ECO, SPORT – NX 350 F Sport: NORMAL, ECO, SPORT S, SPORT S+, CUSTOM).

Installed is a 14-Inch HD touchscreen central display (infotainment).

Features are AM/FM radio, USB, Bluetooth, WiFi, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), navigation, voice recognition and vehicle telematics.

Entertainment is channelled via a Lexus Premium Audio system (10 speakers, subwoofer – NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport).

The new NX comes with variant-specific powertrain setups (hybrid: HEV – petrol: ICE).

First setup (NX 350h Luxury – hybrid) is a 2.5-Litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve naturally-aspirated DOHC petrol engine (A25A-FXS) and a dual-electric-motor (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor – PMSM) setup (front-rear-axle-mounted).

Total system output (243 HP/181 KW, 239 NM).

Second setup (NX 350 F Sport – petrol) is a 2.4-Litre inline four-cylinder 16-valve turbocharged direct-injection (T-GDi) DOHC petrol engine (T24A-FTS).

System output (275 HP/205 KW, 430 NM).

Mated to the setups is an eight-speed Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT – NX 350h Luxury) and an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission (NX 350 F Sport).

Power is transmitted to all wheels (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport), via an E-Four All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system (NX 350h Luxury) and an Electronically Controlled Full-Time All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system (NX 350 F Sport).

0 to 100KM/H is done in 7.7 seconds (NX 350h Luxury) and 7 seconds (NX 350 F Sport). Top speed is 200 KM/H (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport).

Fuel tank capacity is at 55-Litres (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport). Powering the e-motor is a Lithium-Ion battery pack (259 V, 70 cells, 1.2 KWH – NX 350h Luxury).

The new NX features these conveniences.

E.g., Smart Keyless Entry (keyless entry, engine Start/Stop button, remote engine start: key fob, e-latch door handles), electric-tailgate (handsfree – remote/key fob, kick-sensor, tailgate button), dual-zone automatic climate control (rear air vents, Lexus Climate Concierge: S Flow Control, Clean Air Filter: pollen-dust filter, nanoe negative-ion generator) system, electric-powered (driver/-passenger: multi-way-adjust, driver-lumbar, driver-memory, heating/ventilation, power-easy access) COMFORT (NX 350h Luxury) and F SPORT (NX 350 F Sport) seats, headrests (adjustable: front, rear), armrests (front – centre console, rear – centre seat fold-out), headliner (NX 350h Luxury: Grey, NX 350 F Sport: Black), scuff plates (front: stainless-steel), partitioned/caverned/under-stowage centre console compartments, steering wheel (multi-function, column adjustments, paddle shifters, EPS), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold, interior illumination (LED: cabin/boot/ambient), parking sensors (four – front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), side mirrors (BSM, driver-electro-chromic), rear-view mirror (interior: electro-chromic), door ajar warning, automatic headlamps (On/Off/levelling/cornering/high beam), automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), charging ports (USB, power sockets, wireless charger) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Installed is a dual-zone automatic climate control (rear air vents, Lexus Climate Concierge: S Flow Control, Clean Air Filter: pollen-dust filter, nanoe negative-ion generator) system.

A suitable daily driver, the ride comfortability feels flexible and firm at the same time, providing great power with agile handling.

Suspension (NX 350h Luxury, NX 350 F Sport) fitted is a setup of Macpherson strut (front) and double wishbone (rear). Incorporated (NX 350 F Sport) are adaptive variable suspension and performance dampers.

Inside and out, performance- and comfort-wise, the ride quality is satisfactory.

Good sound insulation with the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects accounted for. The cabin is well-designed, enhancing the in-car ambience.

Overall, the cabin can suppress unwanted noises well and make them barely noticeable, even when cruising through bumpy asphalts or at high speeds.

The new Lexus NX is built with an elegantly sporty appeal, offering appearance, space and practicality.

Rugged and sharply sculpted, its exterior is well-designed with roundly angular lines donating to a powerful overall character.

Inside and out, the quality of the equipment installed is impressive with clean and minimalistic detailing.

Ultimately, the new NX bargains more than just good looks, as it also offers plenty of other amenities at the price it comes with.