Its passenger space may not be as roomy as in some rivals and its exterior styling comes with large blind spots. The NX's high-quality interior is a retreat and its front seats are among the most comfortable, but it's beginning to show its age against newer, more contemporary rivals such as the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLB-class. The NX300h hybrid managed 32 mpg in the same test. However, the GLA250 was more efficient with a 34-mpg result. The nonhybrid NX managed 27 mpg in our real-world highway fuel-economy test. The hybrid powertrain nets considerable gains at the pump with ratings of 33 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The 2020 Lexus NX300h Makes Hybrids Look Edgyīeing the tallest and most SUV-like crossover in this segment means the gas-powered NX isn't as efficient as its lower-slung rivals with ratings of 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.Its center of gravity is higher than in either of those competitors, lending it a top-heavy feel when cornering.
While the NX isn't as fun on a twisty road as the BMW X1 or the GLA250, its light steering makes it easy to pilot around town. The hybrid powertrain provides even less pep, but its fuel economy is measurably improved. The NX doesn't feel lethargic pulling into traffic, the engine's power delivery is linear and predictable, and once the turbo kicks in, it's even peppier. The Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic managed to sprint to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, making the NX seem positively sluggish. In our testing of an all-wheel-drive F Sport model, it performed a class-average 6.9-second zero-to-60-mph time. The NX300 (formerly known as the NX200t) comes with a 235-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic, and front-wheel drive all-wheel drive is also available. While its acceleration won't blow the doors off any stoplight challengers, the 2021 NX should offer enough power for the casual driver. And a new color joins the options sheet: Nori Green Pearl. Opting for the upgraded Mark Levinson stereo system now includes a Mark Levinson-branded amplifier. Inside, Lexus has tweaked the NX's steering wheel and tachometer designs. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is now standard, as are power-folding exterior mirrors with an auto-dimming function. What's New for 2021?Įven though the subcompact NX is on the far side of the age curve, Lexus hasn't made any major changes to it for 2021. Cargo space is plentiful, and Lexus offers an optional hybrid powertrain for those seeking maximum fuel efficiency-just don't expect sporty handling from any NX model.
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The NX knows how to pamper its occupants too, with a spacious cabin and an overall sense of luxury, even though it's been around for a while compared to newer, more modern rivals such as the Cadillac XT4 and Volvo XC40. While rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class and Lexus's own UX merely give the illusion of being an SUV, the NX has the ride height and overall driving experience of the real thing. If you're shopping for a small luxury SUV and finding most of the offerings to be more like hatchback cars than truly trucky, the 2021 Lexus NX may tick the right boxes.