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Test drive showroom: Lexus NX 350 Luxury 2022 | Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

newsofmax06/17/2022

0 4 minutes read

Test drive showroom: Lexus NX 350 Luxury 2022 | Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2022 Lexus NX 350 Luxury

Class: High-end compact crossover

Driving miles: 513

Fuel used: 23.0 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 22.3 mpg

Combined driving: 45% city, 55% highway

Corporate governance report card


Rooms and Facilities	REMOVE
Power and performance	REMOVE
Fit and perfect	ONE-
Energy saving	B-
Value	B-

The score of the report card is derived from the consensus of the test-driver assessments. All classes are compared with other vehicles in the same class. The value tier is for the specific level being evaluated and may not reflect the Consumer Guide’s impression of the entire product line.

Comfortable big & tall

Big boy	REMOVE
Tall guy	B-

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for the front seats only. The “Large” rating is based on a male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, the “High” rating is based on a 6’6″ tall male tester.

Powertrain
Engine Specifications	275 hp 2.4 liters
Engine type	4-cyl . turbocharger
Transmission process	8-speed automatic transmission
Steering wheel	AWD

EPA estimated fuel economy: 22/29/25 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel Type: Requires premium gas

Base price: $43,025 (excluding $1075 arrival fee)

Options on the test vehicle: Luxury Package ($7450); Silver-painted 20-inch 20-spoke alloy wheels ($1310); power sliding/tilting moonroof ($1100); Lexus digital key, SmartAccess card key, wireless charging ($450); electric rear liftgate ($400)

Price as checked: $54,810

Quick hits

Wonderful thing: High-class and luxurious interior decoration; Much improved infotainment interface with many high-tech features

Good: The new NX lineup offers a wide range of powertrain types/models and available technology and comfort features; Good interior room for the size

Not so good: Not particularly quiet for a luxury car; observed fuel economy falls short of EPA estimates

More information on NX price and availability

CG says:

Lexus’ provocative small SUV kicks off its second generation in a big way for the 2022 model year, with the launch of a completely redesigned model that introduces a host of new features. — chief among them the all-new (and vastly improved) infotainment interface and a significantly expanded powertrain lineup.

In place of the previous generation’s NX 300 and NX 300h hybrid models are four new trim levels with a new powertrain: the entry-level NX 250, turbocharged NX 350, NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h + plug-in- hybrid. The NX 250 is powered by a 203hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while the upgraded NX 350 (our test subject here) gets a 275hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The NX 350h hybrid combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to produce a total system output of 239 hp. The NX 450h + PHEV also uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine but adds a lithium-ion battery pack for a total of 302 hp and an estimated 37 miles of pure-electric driving range.

You can check ours Report The first rotation of the Lexus NX 2022 and ours review test drive model NX 450h + F Sport for more information. This particular test car was our first opportunity to evaluate the NX 350 on the home turf of our office. The 350’s turbocharged engine delivers satisfying power as its revs increase and the turbo accelerates — Lexus claims a 6.6-second 0-60 mph time, which feels right to us — and boxy. 8-speed automatic transmission warning smooth shifting. However, we don’t think the engine exhibits a particularly premium feel. It sounds rough and “whispers” in cold starts and is also a bit noisy when driving around town.

It’s no surprise that the NX 350 is the smallest of the NX models; it’s rated at 22 mpg city/29 highway/25 combined by the EPA, and in a cold-weather test that covers most highway driving, their observed fuel economy I’m just slightly above the EPA’s city number. The fact that premium fuel is required is also disappointing.

Our 6’6″ editor complains that the NX’s cabin is a bit claustrophobic in the headroom department for those of extra height—his head hits the edge of the panoramic sunroof housing. when he’s in the back seat and it doesn’t feel comfortable near the front row of the headliner when he’s in the driver’s seat, but most people of average height will be fine, and they’ll be fine. enjoy high quality cabin materials and perfect assembly ability.

Most of our test car’s high-end interior was equipped with the Luxury Package, which costs $7450 but adds a ton of features and upgrades — among them pulse lighting. around the cabin, upgraded leather upholstery, perforated wood trim, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen infotainment display with navigation and voice commands speak.

While the NX 350 has its charms, we’re leaning towards the NX 350h — the two models’ starting prices are pretty far apart and the NX 350h should offer much-improved fuel economy. without much impact on overall acceleration and driving behavior.

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