A compact SUV is a perfect choice for Bayside drivers: you get the functionality and style of an SUV but with a smaller design that’s ideal for driving around the city or getting out of town for the weekend. You have a lot of options available to you when looking for a compact model, but none are as stylish and sophisticated as the gorgeous Lexus NX. As your Lexus dealer near Bayside, we feel it’s our responsibility to make sure you know about the NX and everything it has to offer. The Lexus lineup is so impressive overall that it can be easy to overlook the NX for something bigger, but that’s a mistake. Today, we’re going to take a look at the Lexus NX and the different variants available to see what this remarkable little SUV has going for it.
Get to Know the 2024 Lexus NX
Before we get into the available variants of the Lexus NX, we should go over some of the basics that are essentially true for every option. As we said, this is a compact SUV, which means it has two rows of seating for up to five passengers, making it a great choice for your daily commute, cruising around Bayside with friends, or heading upstate with your family. You get plenty of room inside for everyone to be comfortable, with 41 inches of legroom in the front and 36.1 inches in the back. This is also an incredibly functional model that you can easily load up with the things you need to take with you—the NX has 22.7 cu.ft. of cargo space in the trunk and 46.9 cu.ft. of cargo room behind the front seats.
Different engines are available for the Lexus NX, but we’ll get into those more below since they’re a big part of what differentiates the various options. Every trim comes with SmartAccess functionality with push-button start, so it’s easy to get in and get going in the morning, along with dual-zone climate control to ensure everyone is comfortable. Heated front seats are standard in every trim, which is perfect for cold winter days, with heated and ventilated seating in some styles. Every 2024 Lexus NX features a 10-speaker premium sound system, though there’s a 17-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay Surround Sound system available if you’re something of an audiophile.
In terms of safety, every NX comes with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which is an incredible package of advanced safety technology. This includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Intersection Support, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management, and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. You also get Intelligent High Beams that come on in low light and switch off to avoid blinding oncoming drivers, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and Road Sign Assist, all standard. If you’re looking to elevate your driving experience, then there’s Intuitive Parking Assist with Automatic Braking available, which comes standard on the NX 450h+ trims (more on them in a moment).
NX 250
Now that we know what to expect in every version of the NX, it's time to take a look at some specifics, starting with the baseline NX 250. This is the standard trim, and it comes with a 2.5L I-4 engine that delivers 203 hp, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. One important thing to note about this version is that it’s the only one that comes with front-wheel drive standard, although it has all-wheel drive available—every other Lexus NX comes with all-wheel drive. It has all of the standard features we just looked at, along with details like eight-way power front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, and a Stippled Black interior.
NX 350
As much as we love the NX 250, as far as we’re concerned, the Lexus NX 350 is the best place to start, especially if you’re looking for a vehicle that makes driving around Bayside incredibly fun. This beauty features a 2.4L turbocharged I-4 engine that delivers 275 hp, providing you with an exhilarating driving experience—it has a zero to 60 mph time a full two seconds shorter than the NX 250 with all-wheel drive. Inside, it has many of the same features as the NX 250, with comfortable seating and a fantastic selection of standard and available options. Your choice here really comes down to the kind of driving experience you want, with the NX 350 coming through beautifully.
NX 350 F Sport
If you like the performance of the NX 350 but want to ramp it up a bit, then check out the NX 350 F Sport. This model features an F Sport-tuned suspension with performance dampers on both the front and rear, providing you with a firmer and more enjoyable overall ride. To go along with this, it has a few other differences, such as an F Sport perforated leather-trimmed shift knob and steering wheel, plus F Sport aluminum pedals and F Sport leather front seats with enhanced bolsters for more comfortable cornering at high speeds. A 10-inch head-up display that projects information onto your windshield is standard on the NX 350 F Sport, whereas it’s an available option on the previous trims.
NX 350h
While the Lexus NX is already an efficient vehicle, if you want even better fuel economy, then check out the NX 350h. This is a hybrid version featuring a 2.5L I-4 engine with a battery-powered motor designed to deliver a combined 240 hp. This version is extremely fun to drive and incredibly efficient. Where the standard NX 250 gets an estimated 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway, the NX 350h gets 41 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. That makes this a great choice for driving around Bayside while making fewer stops for gas, letting you focus on getting where you need to go.
NX 450h+
If you’re looking for the most efficient option possible, then you owe it to yourself to check out the NX 450h+ variant. This is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which means it features an electric motor like the NX 350h and other Lexus EVs, but it can be charged from an external source by plugging it into an outlet at home or at a public charging station. You get a 2.5L I-4 engine with electric motors that delivers a combined 304 hp, giving you fantastic performance and terrific range between stops for gas. This powertrain can even go about 37 miles on a full charge without ever touching the gas tank, which lets you run errands or make short trips around Bayside without using any gas.
NX 450h+ F Sport
You can also get the plug-in hybrid powertrain with the F Sport suspension and performance dampers, giving you an improved driving experience. This is a good combination as the NX 450h+ F Sport has a zero to 60 mph time of a mere six seconds. In terms of features, this trim is decked out with a gorgeous interior that includes F Sport aluminum pedals, heated front seats with enhanced bolsters, and a perforated leather-trimmed shift knob with heated steering wheel. It also comes with a gorgeous 14-inch Lexus infotainment display that’s available with other styles, along with the 10-inch head-up display for an incredible overall experience.
Is the Lexus NX Right for You?
As you can see, the Lexus NX has a lot to offer, with a range of different styles available to provide you with exactly the sort of driving experience you want. While the base NX 250 is a great vehicle, we recommend starting with the NX 350 to fully appreciate what this gorgeous piece of machinery has to offer. The F Sport trims are great if you’re someone who wants to feel remarkable precision while you’re driving. Plus, you have a few different hybrid options to get you the efficiency and overall experience you want. No matter what you’re looking for in a compact SUV, the Lexus NX should be on your short list of models to check out. If you’re still not sure which version is right for you, then we’re happy to show you everything the NX has to offer and help you find the perfect vehicle. Contact us today to get started.