Lexus NX450h+ is welcome entry to the premium PHEV party

Andrew Walker

The Lexus NX was originally launched in 2014 and quickly became the brand’s most popular car. However, when the NX was updated, Lexus didn’t offer a plug-in hybrid or full electric version, but this all-new model put that omission right.

For those who don’t know, the NX is a five-door SUV, powered by either a 2.5-litre self-charging petrol in FWD or AWD or a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid petrol engine. Both feature a CVT gear box.

You can choose from the self-charging NX 350, with starting price of £39,760, in Sport or Takumi trim, or the plug-in NX 450h AWD + in Premium, Premium + or Takumi trim. The entry level of the 450h is £50,950 so it’s quite a big jump, price-wise, from the cheapest self charging version.

Our test was in the most fleet-friendly model, the NX 450h+, and the specs here are based on the plug-in version only.

Equipment

All plug-in hybrid NXs feature wireless smartphone charging, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, heated seats, LED headlights, keyless go and the ‘Lexus Safety System+’. The main interior change is that Lexus has got rid of the infotainment track pad used on the previous NX, replacing it with a smarter, simpler and cleaner touchscreen. Entry-level NX 450h+ features a 9.8” central touchscreen, while F Sport and Takumi trims get the larger 14” version and 10” digital driver’s display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are also included and overall, it’s a massive improvement over what came before.

Engine and company car benefits

The 450h+ shares its TNGA-K underpinnings with the latest Toyota RAV4. This hybrid system comprises a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with CVT transmission, tagged to an 18.1kWh battery and electric motor. Lexus says that 43 miles is possible on battery power alone. For fleets, the CO2 is as low as 20g/km which equates to just seven per cent in BIK and big tax savings for its fleet drivers.

Fuel economy and performance

Lexus claims combined economy to be as high as 256.8 mpg and, if you only ever drive your NX locally for 20 miles per day, that is possible. However, take a longer trip and this will drop. For example, in our test week, by utilising the electric range until we reached the motorway and plugging the NX in to charge overnight, we drove the 450h + over 200 miles in a week and averaged 58.7 mpg, which is still impressive.

With 302bhp, top speed is 124mph and 0-62mph takes just 6.3 seconds, which isn’t bad at all.

Exterior and interior

The latest NX is 20mm longer and comes with a 30mm longer wheelbase. Outside it’s less angular than the previous version, with slim LED headlights and the familiar Lexus spindle grille. At the rear, there’s now a full-width tail-light and overall the cars shape and lines feel simpler, cleaner and more pleasing on the eye.

The first thing you’ll notice inside is that the dash and cabin feel less cluttered. We’ve already mentioned the new touchscreen, which is excellent. You still have separate climate controls sitting beneath the touchscreen, but in effect, there’s actually half as many buttons as on its predecessor and mirroring the outside, it feels more modern and on-trend, too.

The quality you expect from Lexus is still there though, with all surfaces brilliantly put together and all finished in a mix of high quality and soft touch plastics. Our Takumi test car also featured leather upholstery with heated front and rear seats and an extra with a sunroof.

Boot space and cabin practicality

Front seat passengers won’t be disappointed by the head and leg room on offer in the NX 450h+. You also get a decent-sized glovebox, twin USB ports, large door bins, twin cup holders, a cubby under the armrest and space for your phone with wireless charging.

The extra 20mm length of the latest NX makes quite a difference to rear legroom, although the centre rear passenger still has to contend with a transmission tunnel. Head room is good as well. Rear passengers also benefit from twin USBs and a fold-down armrest with two cup holders.

Both the self charging and plug-in NXs offer 545 litres of boot space. Fold the seats down and you get 1,436 litres of load capacity. The boot finish and carpet used are exemplary and there’s the added bonus of space underneath the useful flat floor to hide the charging cable.

Driving modes

The NX 450h+ features three driving modes: Eco, Sport and Normal. All three are accessed

Tech Data

Model Tested: Lexus NX 450h+ Takumi

OTR Price: £61,200

Engine: 2.5-litre 4 cylinder petrolelectric plug-in hybrid Power: 302bhp

Transmission: CVT auto 4WD 0-62mph: 6.3 seconds

Top speed: 124mph Economy: 256.8mpg

CO2: 26g/km

BIK: 7% via a knob in front of the gear lever. Twist for Eco or Sport, push for Normal. You can maximise your battery range by utilising the EV save mode button next to the electric handbrake. This means that you can save your electric range for when it’s most economical, low-speed urban driving.

Furthermore, the plug-in does also offer some other range-saving aids. For example, you get the bonus of battery-assisted driving in the hybrid drive modes. When the battery is fully depleted, the NX reverts to being a normal hybrid. So you still get electric assistance at low speed, which adds to the economy.

On the road

Perhaps unsurprisingly, if you take the NX on to the motorway, you’ll have little to complain about. The built-in radar-controlled cruise control is simple to work and the plethora of third-generation Lexus safety systems, such as Lane Keep Assist, Lane Trace Assist and Front Cross Traffic Alert, make it one of the safest cars you can own.

Cabin noise is minimal and all passengers will enjoy the cosseting, comfortable seats. Our only complaint is that when you push down hard on the accelerator pedal, the CVT gearbox whines as it spins into action and this can be heard in the cabin.

In town we were able to make use of the car’s pure electric range and managed four days of local driving before we needed to plug in. Talking of which, charging on our 7kWh Rolec Smart Charger, the NX’s 18.1kWh battery took between 2.5 and 3 hours to charge from empty. When our Octopus Go night time rate between 00.30 hrs and 04.30 hrs is just 7.5p a kWh, we could replenish the NX’s battery for just 20p, and as we were seeing a pure electric range of 32 miles, that’s cheap motoring and another feather in the cap for Lexus’s first plug-in.

Pros

All NX models are extremely well built and equipped. The new infotainment system elevates the new NX to a point where it’s now far more competitive with similar systems on offer from the German premium car makers. With just 7% BIK, company car drivers will save plenty.

The latest NX feels bigger inside and looks better as well.

Cons

The CVT gearbox doesn’t offer the driver any great performance and its loud when pushed hard. The plug-in is expensive so is better considered as a company car offering.

Conclusion

While we don’t especially like the CVT gearbox, we had no complaints about how the 450h+ transitions from electric to petrol and back. It is, frankly, as smooth as you like and one of the best we’ve come across.

Furthermore, this Lexus is much more refined and comfortable than its predecessor.

For company car drivers lucky enough to be in the 50k car bracket, the personal tax savings are brilliant and reason enough to select one. And, perhaps most importantly, it now feels like its earned a place at the top table with Volvo’s XC60 Recharge, BMW’s X3 xDrive30e and Mercedes-Benz’s GLC 300e plug-in models.

CC&V VERDICT

Great to see a car as good as the NX gain a PHEV option at last. Superb quality that now sits with the Premium big boys

CC&V RATING: N N N N