Cars

2022 Lexus NX debuts as the brand’s first-ever PHEV

By Sagar

Posted on June 13, 2021

There are conventional options too.

As announced last month, Lexus has revealed its first-ever PHEV model, which is none other than the second-generation NX. What’s more interesting is that depending on the market, there’ll be seven powertrain combinations on offer, including a 2.4L turbocharged AWD variant with an 8-speed AT. Production is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2021.

Alright, let’s talk a li’l bit about its styling then. Personally, I always liked Lexus’ styling; I think they look even better in-person than in photos. As for the new NX, it has been sharpened-up compared to the outgoing model. The front fascia looks a lot cleaner, thanks to the headlight-integrated running lights. The side profile looks rather busy due to more creases than needed, while the rear-end looks very stylish with L-shaped lights and a light strip that runs across the tailgate. Lexus claims that the new model is more aerodynamic than before.

There are new wheel designs, of course, ranging from 18- to 20-inches; the sporty F Sport model rides on 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels. As for the suspension system, the new NX gets newly developed MacPherson struts at the front and a trailing arm, double-wishbone design for the rear. The F Sport model gets the latest iteration of the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) as standard, which assures a high level of handling and ride comfort.

For those who’re interested to know the dimensions, the new NX measures 4,660 mm long (+20), 1,865 mm wide (+20) and 1,640 mm tall (+5), with a wheelbase of 2,690 mm (+30). As for the construction, Lexus says that the new model has a lightweight structure but is rigid, thanks to the GA-K platform upon which it is based. 1180 MPa and 1470 MPa grade (tensile strength) steels are used for certain parts of the structure.

The new cabin looks equally stylish with a driver-focused dashboard design. The colors and materials vary depending on the variant, of course. As always, the F Sport sports a more sporty theme. Lexus claims to have improved the ergonomics as well; the Drive Mode knob, for example, has been positioned near the steering wheel so that the driver won’t lose their driving posture.

Other features depending on the trim include a 14-inch central touchscreen (9.8-inch standard), voice commands (activated by saying Hey Lexus!), a 10-speaker Lexus sound system or a 17-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay system, and a host of active safety and driver assistance systems including Pre-Collision System, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Active Steering Assist, Lane Assist systems, Safe Exit Assist, Intelligent High Beam, Radar Cruise Control, and Panoramic View Monitor. Smartphone-app-based Digital Key is available for Japan, North America and Chinese markets. Depending on the market, the NX can also be remotely parked. A Head-Up Display is optional, of course.

Moving on to the juicy bits of the story then, as mentioned earlier, the new NX offers multiple powertrain options depending on the market.

Plug-in hybrid
PHEV buyers will have two options: a 2.5L with e-Four (A25A-FXS engine + front and rear electric motors), and a 2.5L engine with a single electric motor (FWD). The AWD model (e-Four) can vary front-to-rear torque distribution between 100:0 and 20:80 percent, as needed. The lithium-ion battery pack is of a 18.1 kWh capacity, which enables an estimated pure-electric range of up to 58 km (36 mi). A 3.3 kW onboard charger comes standard, while there’s an option for a 6.6 kW charger.

Hybrid electric vehicle
The HEV variant is also available with e-Four and FWD options, with the same aforementioned engine and motor configurations. Besides the lack of plugging-in, the other difference is that the HEV gets a Ni-MH battery instead of a lithium-ion. Transmission in both PHEV and HEV variants, as you might have guessed, is an eCVT.

Non-hybrid petrol
For those who don’t want to deal with any of that hybrid stuff at all, Lexus will offer the same A25A-FXS 2.5L petrol engine coupled with an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with FWD and AWD options. The estimated figures are 151 kW (205 metric hp) and 249 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque.

Turbo petrol
For those who want more, there’s of course, the 2.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with an estimated 205 kW (279 metric hp) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft) of torque. An 8-speed automatic gearbox drives all four wheels via an AWD system.

Check out some more photos here.