2020 Lexus NX 300 assessment: Getting old SUV prioritizes consolation above all

It is all the time fascinating to assessment a automobile within the final 12 months earlier than its main refresh. By this level, the engineers and designers and bean-counters have probably reached a consensus that the automobile has come so far as it may. It is nearly as good because it’ll ever be. That is the case with the Lexus NX, which entered manufacturing in 2014.

Now that everybody’s a house baker, I am going to current this analogy: The 2020 Lexus NX is sort of a high-quality loaf of bread that somebody took loads of effort and time to make with good substances, however they forgot so as to add salt. In different phrases, the NX does the whole lot a compact luxurious crossover ought to do: It carries folks in consolation, presents a lot of room for cargo and is adorned with good supplies. There simply is not a lot in the way in which of taste.

F Sport in title solely

The NX 300 F Sport examined right here is the top-shelf non-hybrid NX. It packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine with a not-exactly-class-leading 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the latter of which is accessible from 1,650 rpm. Energy goes to all 4 wheels by means of a six-speed computerized transmission, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

On paper, that six-speed transmission sounds old school, significantly within the face of extra fashionable eight- and nine-speed models supplied by many of the Lexus‘ rivals. In observe, nevertheless, it really works simply high-quality. Shifts are clean and properly timed.

Having fewer gears does not actually damage the NX 300’s gas economic system relative to its competitors, both. With all-wheel drive, the Lexus is rated at 22 miles per gallon metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 24 mpg mixed, which is about on par with the Acura RDX, Infiniti QX50 and Mercedes-Benz GLC300. Throughout my testing, I used to be capable of get near that 24-mpg mixed score with out a lot effort.

The NX’s chassis is properly sorted. The usual drive mode does a superb job of smoothing out freeway enlargement joints and LA’s shockingly gnarly drainage dips at intersections, and this tester has the optionally available adaptive dampers, which let you dial up a Sport mode, but it surely does not change issues all that a lot.

However regardless of the F Sport badge, the NX does not actually lend itself to spirited driving. Whereas I just like the consolation degree that the NX’s chassis gives, I really feel colder and fuzzy in regards to the steering, which, whereas removed from sloppy, presents little in the way in which of suggestions to the driving force. Briefly, the NX 300 has a experience befitting the Lexus badge on its nostril, however for those who’re after some on-road character, greatest to look elsewhere.

The finer issues, principally

The NX’s exterior styling is aggressive by compact SUV requirements, but it surely seems proper at residence in Lexus’ lineup. From the aspect, the NX is well-proportioned and athletic, and issues additionally look first rate round again, with sharp taillights and a dramatic crease on the beltline.

Sadly, the NX’s entrance finish takes some getting used to. Lexus’ spindle grille, often known as the Predator grille, is fairly polarizing even now, almost a decade after its introduction. Fortunately, Lexus is slowly determining easy methods to efficiently combine that unwieldy schnoz onto a few of its fashions like the brand new ES and LS. Do I like it on the NX? Nope. However styling is subjective, so your mileage might range.

Inside, issues enhance significantly. The cabin’s design is a bit busy, and the inside feels darkish and extra cramped than it ought to, however the supplies and construct high quality are nothing wanting Lexus-excellent. The entire automobile’s leather-based touchpoints are buttery tender and contribute to an air of high quality. The plastics are high-quality, however I might slightly see some extra actual supplies like steel or wooden, even when they’re used sparingly.

The NX’s seats are comfy, supportive and promise to maintain driver fatigue at bay for longer drives. Weirdly, Lexus solely presents leather-based seating on the Premium fashions and up, so my F Sport mannequin comes with black Nu-Luxe materials (aka faux leather-based), although it is not less than perforated. Seat heating and cooling are commonplace on NX Luxurious fashions, however are optionally available on the whole lot else, together with this F Sport.

The rear seating space is not precisely huge, however with a bit finagling, I used to be capable of squeeze in behind my regular entrance seating place (I am 6 toes, four inches tall, in order that’s saying one thing). The cargo space is respectably spacious, too, although the facility opening and shutting tailgate is not commonplace, accurately on one thing at this value. It is an additional $400 if you would like the facility tailgate on the F Sport; add one other $150 if you would like the kick-under-the-bumper-to-open sensor.

Unhealthy infotainment, however a lot of commonplace security tech

The NX 300’s largest weak point is its infotainment tech. The Lexus Enform system is — and all the time has been — terrible. It is awkward to make use of because of the haptic suggestions touchpad on the middle console, and the system is not significantly responsive or simple to make use of, particularly whereas driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility go a good distance in direction of making the expertise ignorable, fortunately, however Lexus actually wants to offer this technique a rethink, and quick. At the very least a Wi-Fi hotspot is commonplace.

Fortunately, the optionally available 835-watt Mark Levinson audio system stays superior, and a worthwhile possibility for those who care about your music (or actually like listening to Ira Glass’ bizarre mouth noises in HD, you weirdo). The Mark Levinson package deal additionally nets you the upgraded 10.3-inch widescreen infotainment show, whereas the usual display is just eight inches.

Lexus deserves loads of credit score for its security tech roster, and the 2020, the Security System Plus 2.Zero with road-sign recognition and lane-tracing help is commonplace throughout the NX vary. Different highlights of the Lexus’ driver-assistance suite embody commonplace computerized emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help and computerized excessive beams.

Lexus additionally consists of three years of Enform Security Join, which incorporates computerized collision notification, stolen car notification and an emergency help button. It additionally will get you a three-year trial of Lexus Enform Distant, which helps you to management sure car features (lock/unlock, local weather management and so forth) by means of your iOS or Android machine with an app.

The milquetoast possibility

The 2020 Lexus NX begins at $37,895, together with $1,025 for vacation spot, which simply barely undercuts rivals just like the Acura RDX and Infiniti QX50, and is available in just a few thousand lower than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC300. All loaded up, this F-Sport tester prices $52,307. That is lots, particularly when you think about the rivals are principally extra partaking to drive and provide extra fashionable cabins with higher multimedia methods.

There are many consumers who prioritize consolation and confirmed high quality above issues like driving dynamics or (subjectively) beauty, and for them, the NX is a strong — if boring — alternative. This is hoping the brand new NX retains these rhythms intact when it arrives in 2021, however we might like it if it introduced a bit extra verve and higher infotainment tech to the occasion, too.