Splendid plug-in Lexus compromised by odd cabin 'solutions'
Splendid Lexus NX450h let down by odd cabin 'solutions'
We’ve embraced Toyota’s Plug-In Hybrid tech quite comprehensively over the past year or three, driven the RAV4 on several occasions, and even toured France with the Prius. But finally, here’s a plug-in hybrid you can finally stroll into your local Lexus shop, do the deal, and drive a NX450h out right now.
Toyota Hybrids are nothing new. Prius was the pioneer. 5 million of them have saved 82 million tonnes of carbon so far, they say. Now Toyota and Lexus make hybrids across all segments to satisfy a far broader customer base. So, it’s the plug-in hybrid’s chance to shine.
To that end, meet the premium middle of the range Lexus NX450h. This latest 2-litre plug-in Prius big brother NXh, mates a stronger, torquier 136 kW 227 Nm 2.5-litre petrol four pot with a 134 kW 270 Nm EV motor to drive the front axle via a CVT transmission. Add another 40 kW 121 Nm electric motor on the two-speed ‘AWD’ rear transaxle, and we have 227 kW total output.
NX450h output is very handy indeed.
Very handy, indeed. Just check those performance figures out in the box at the end of this story. Lexus promises captivating driver involvement, claims 6.3 seconds to 100 km/h, and says that you can travel up to 66 km on the battery alone. That 18.1 kWh lithium-ion sitting under the rear boosts range by 50%. Which just happens to be among the best of any PHEV.
NX450h efficiency is partly courtesy of much improved battery energy density. It's rapid enough to feel sporty, if a bit let down by a subtly stodgy steering feel and a less than thrilling soundtrack. Out on B-roads with a little stop and go traffic, it returns below 4 litres per 100 km. This plug-in is less at home on the freeway or in faster cruising, though.
So we drove more country roads and were rewarded with great fuel consumption. Comfortable and easy on the road, NX450h is a pleasure to drive. Still, a plug-in hybrid is a bit of a fish out of water on the longer road, and we soon learnt a few crucial lessons about keeping it all charged up.
Don’t bother charging this plug-in up
The first was not to bother try charging it. With hardly any recharge infrastructure in SA, it does fill the battery easily on a normal home socket overnight. But the best way to run this Lexus was to self-charge it to about 60% on the road. Then simply select Hybrid mode, which maintains the charge, and drive it as a regular hybrid, wherever plausible.
Hybrid mode works as an EV in the city, so all those advantages are retained. However, the car defaults to EV mode every time you start it, which can catch you with your pants down, and a depleted battery when you’re not paying attention. I’d prefer if it defaulted to hybrid mode. And let me choose when I want to be an EV and cruise all around town without using an ounce of gas.
Stepping away from all that for a second, 95 percent new, this latest next generation Lexus embraces the brand’s human-centred vehicle approach as much as it’s a nod to the plug-in future. It certainly looks the part with balanced, strong proportions. Edgy adaptive bi-high beam projector LEDs and a slick Lexus grille set the pace with black 20-inch F-Sport wheels, short overhangs, and a wider track.
Some pretty strange stuff inside NX450h
Our NX had a panoramic roof finished with rails and a spoiler atop a hands-free power tailgate sporting full-width taillights. Electrochromatic power, heated side mirrors have a reversing blind spot monitor and auto-tilt function, and there are rain sensor wipers too. 20 millimetres longer, 20 mm wider, and 5 mm taller, and riding on a 30 mm longer wheelbase, the latest Lexus NX brings better rear passenger space and optimised packaging. In other words, the kitchen sink.
NX however has us blowing hot and cold. Hot because it’s so cool, well organised, and features a great balance between form and function. Especially around its infotainment interface. Let alone Prius PHIV-like efficiency. And cold because of some alarming aspects that still have us scratching our heads in disbelief.
Lexus’ crisp and clear, large, fast, and intuitive new 14-inch display multimedia is a refreshingly competent solution in a world of unimaginably complex car infotainment. It’s logical and easy to use, has a smart balance between good old buttons and knobs, and touch-sensitive controls to keep everyone happy. Faster too; it even obeys ‘Hey Lexus’ voice commands.
NX is a fully-stacked driver-centric space
A fully-stacked driver-centric space, it’s said to require no effort to operate its simple and intuitive controls. Yet the gear knob made us struggle to work with it all week. Never mind those electronic door knobs, or whatever the hell they call them. Now there must be a way to use them to make life easier. But nobody’s bothered to actually point out how. Until someone can, we can only declare it a fail. Why ‘fix’ something that ain’t broke? Or need tuition on how to open a door. The mind boggles!
Grasping at straws? Perhaps. But those few posers certainly have us wondering. For the rest, however, this fine plug-in SUV strikes a fine balance between ride comfort, dynamics, and efficiency. Steering, throttle, and braking are faithful to the driver’s intentions to generate confidence and deliver a rewarding sense of connection with the car.
Overall, we enjoyed our Lexus Plug-In Hybrid mission. There are areas where it certainly can still improve. That it retains the mode you left it in when you start again would be a good first step. And give us door handles... that open the doors... and gear knob that will indeed... find a gear... please! Overall, however, we were thoroughly impressed by the new Lexus NX. Even if some of its fresh solutions had us thinking it’s a bit of a double-edged samurai sword.
Looked at as a plug-in solution, it is clear why the woke world that so desperately needs to ‘drive green’ is suddenly turning en masse to the plug-in hybrid. Sure, it’s only half an EV. But then the gas other half is what people find so reassuring. It’s there, if, and when you need it. Or when you want it. And it’s probably the future. Now let’s watch it develop! – Michele Lupini
Images – Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport PHEV
Engine: 136 kW 227 Nm 2.5-litre petrol I4
Motors: 134 kW 270 Nm + 40 kW 121 Nm electric
Battery: 18.1 kWh lithium-ion
Drive: CVT/Electric AWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 2.81 sec
0-100 km/h: 5.78 sec
0-120 km/h: 7.77 sec
0-160 km/h: 12.43 sec
400m: 14.1 sec @ 164km/h
80-120 km/h: 3.81 sec
120-160 km/h: 5.32 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 200 km/h
Fuel: 1.3 l/100 km
Energy: 16.6 kWh/100km
CO2: 29 g/km
EV Range 66 km
Total Range: 800 km
Warranty/Maintenance 7y 105K/7s 105K km
LIST PRICE: R1.336M
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