Ah sure, the spindle grille. 
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It’s all the time fascinating to assessment a automobile within the final yr earlier than its main refresh. By this level, the engineers and designers and bean-counters have doubtless reached a consensus that the automobile has come so far as it may possibly. It’s pretty much as good because it’ll ever be. That’s the case with the Lexus NX, which entered manufacturing in 2014.

LikeComfy rideImpressive record of normal security techButtery-soft leather-based

Don’t LikeLousy infotainment techUnderpowered in comparison with opponentsInterior design is a bit bizarre

Now that everybody’s a house baker, I’ll current this analogy: The 2020 Lexus NX is sort of a high quality loaf of bread that somebody took lots of effort and time to make with good elements, however they forgot so as to add salt. In different phrases, the NX does the whole lot a compact luxurious crossover ought to do: It carries folks in consolation, provides numerous room for cargo and is adorned with good supplies. There simply is not a lot in the way in which of taste. F Sport in title solelyThe NX 300 F Sport examined right here is the top-shelf non-hybrid NX. It packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine with a not-exactly-class-leading 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the latter of which is offered from 1,650 rpm. Power goes to all 4 wheels via a six-speed computerized transmission, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

On paper, that six-speed transmission sounds old style, significantly within the face of extra fashionable eight- and nine-speed items provided by many of the Lexus’ opponents. In apply, nevertheless, it really works simply high quality. Shifts are easy and properly timed.Having fewer gears does not actually harm the NX 300’s gasoline financial system relative to its competitors, both. With all-wheel drive, the Lexus is rated at 22 miles per gallon metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 24 mpg mixed, which is about on par with the Acura RDX, Infiniti QX50 and Mercedes-Benz GLC300. During my testing, I used to be in a position to get near that 24-mpg mixed ranking with out a lot effort.

The 2.0-liter turbo engine produces 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
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The NX’s chassis is properly sorted. The customary drive mode does job of smoothing out freeway enlargement joints and LA’s shockingly gnarly drainage dips at intersections, and this tester has the elective adaptive dampers, which let you dial up a Sport mode, however it does not change issues all that a lot.

But regardless of the F Sport badge, the NX does not actually lend itself to spirited driving. While I just like the consolation degree that the NX’s chassis gives, I really feel chillier and fuzzy concerning the steering, which, whereas removed from sloppy, provides little in the way in which of suggestions to the motive force. In quick, the NX 300 has a journey befitting the Lexus badge on its nostril, however when you’re after some on-road character, greatest to look elsewhere.The finer issues, largelyThe NX’s exterior styling is aggressive by compact SUV requirements, however it seems to be proper at residence in Lexus’ lineup. From the aspect, the NX is well-proportioned and athletic, and issues additionally look first rate round again, with sharp taillights and a dramatic crease on the beltline. Unfortunately, the NX’s entrance finish takes some getting used to. Lexus’ spindle grille, also referred to as the Predator grille, is fairly polarizing even now, practically a decade after its introduction. Thankfully, Lexus is slowly determining easy methods to efficiently combine that unwieldy schnoz onto a few of its fashions like the brand new ES and LS. Do I find it irresistible on the NX? Nope. But styling is subjective, so your mileage could fluctuate.

Inside, issues enhance significantly. The cabin’s design is a little bit busy, and the inside feels darkish and extra cramped than it ought to, however the supplies and construct high quality are nothing in need of Lexus-excellent. All of the automobile’s leather-based touchpoints are buttery delicate and contribute to an air of high quality. The plastics are high quality, however I’d somewhat see some extra actual supplies like metallic or wooden, even when they’re used sparingly.The NX’s seats are snug, supportive and promise to maintain driver fatigue at bay for longer drives. Weirdly, Lexus solely provides leather-based seating on the Premium fashions and up, so my F Sport mannequin comes with black Nu-Luxe materials (aka pretend leather-based), although it is at the least perforated. Seat heating and cooling are customary on NX Luxury fashions, however are elective on the whole lot else, together with this F Sport.The rear seating space is not precisely large, however with a little bit finagling, I used to be in a position to squeeze in behind my regular entrance seating place (I’m 6 toes, 4 inches tall, in order that’s saying one thing). The cargo space is respectably spacious, too, although the ability opening and shutting tailgate is not customary, appropriately on one thing at this value. It’s an additional $400 if you need the ability tailgate on the F Sport; add one other $150 if you need the kick-under-the-bumper-to-open sensor.The inside supplies are good, however the infotainment system is horrific.
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Bad infotainment, however numerous customary security techThe NX 300’s largest weak point is its infotainment tech. The Lexus Enform system is — and all the time has been — terrible. It’s awkward to make use of because of the haptic suggestions touchpad on the middle console, and the system is not significantly responsive or simple to make use of, particularly whereas driving. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility go a great distance in direction of making the expertise ignorable, fortunately, however Lexus actually wants to present this method a rethink, and quick. At least a Wi-Fi hotspot is customary.Thankfully, the elective 835-watt Mark Levinson audio system stays superior, and a worthwhile possibility when you care about your music (or actually like listening to Ira Glass’ bizarre mouth noises in HD, you weirdo). The Mark Levinson package deal additionally nets you the upgraded 10.3-inch widescreen infotainment show, whereas the usual display is simply 8 inches.Lexus deserves lots of credit score for its security tech roster, and the 2020, the Safety System Plus 2.0 with road-sign recognition and lane-tracing help is customary throughout the NX vary. Other highlights of the Lexus’ driver-assistance suite embody customary computerized emergency braking, adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help and computerized excessive beams.Lexus additionally contains three years of Enform Safety Connect, which incorporates computerized collision notification, stolen automobile notification and an emergency help button. It additionally will get you a three-year trial of Lexus Enform Remote, which helps you to management sure automobile capabilities (lock/unlock, local weather management and so forth) via your iOS or Android gadget with an app. The NX arguably seems to be greatest from the rear.
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The milquetoast possibilityThe 2020 Lexus NX begins at $37,895, together with $1,025 for vacation spot, which simply barely undercuts rivals just like the Acura RDX and Infiniti QX50, and is available in a couple of thousand lower than the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC300. All loaded up, this F-Sport tester prices $52,307. That’s so much, particularly when you think about the opponents are largely extra partaking to drive and provide extra trendy cabins with higher multimedia methods.There are loads of consumers who prioritize consolation and confirmed high quality above issues like driving dynamics or (subjectively) beauty, and for them, the NX is a strong — if boring — selection. Here’s hoping the brand new NX retains these rhythms intact when it arrives in 2021, however we might find it irresistible if it introduced a bit extra verve and higher infotainment tech to the celebration, too.