2023 Lexus NX 450H+ Luxury

 


It's hard to believe that Lexus has been here since its January 1989 introduction at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It sent other auto companies scrambling. I worked for another Japanese company at the time and they were eager to get their hands on a new LS 400 in an effort to find out how Toyota pulled off such a coup. 

Flash forward to now and Lexus is a well established luxury auto maker, a company that others try to benchmark.

And that brings me to the 2023 NX 450H, well actually the 2024 450H Luxury because Lexus states "The 2024 Lexus NX is largely a carryover model from 2023." I drove a 2023 but all the Lexus websites list specifications for the 2024. 

The NX is one of ten SUVs Lexus offers. Pricewise it is the second least expensive, at least in its base version. I'll be honest with you unless I look up most of these ten I can barely tell the difference between them. That's a good thing I guess because there is family resemblance.

I like the Cadmium Orange paint, it really stands out. I'm not as taken with the front end but I must be in the minority because it is a Lexus signature.

Inside there is seating for five but like most vehicles now four would be most comfortable. There is nothing flashy about the leather seats but they are comfortable, the fronts are multi-adjustable. Other interior colors are available.


One thing I don't understand is the need to reinvent things, things that have worked well for decades. This isn't aimed specifically at Lexus but why reinvent interior door handles? The interior door handles on the NX 450H+ are these tiny little buttons that you push to open the door. They worked okay but why? 


Everybody knows how to use a pull handle. No one had to put a label on it. I'm pretty sure these door handles operate electrically. And hopefully there is a mechanical override in case of an electrical failure.


The dash and controls are well laid out but this old dog just can't figure everything out. New cars are kind of like my smart phone; I know they can do all kind of stuff that I will never find. I've watched younger people just hop in and tap, tap, tap to get the screen they need. At least Lexus uses a gear shift lever. Thank you.

The NX 450 H+ Luxury is AWD. Under the hood is a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and two "Motor Generators". One starts the engine and charges the hybrid battery, the other drives the front wheels. There is also an electric motor for the rear wheels. Together with the gas engine and electric motor there is 302 hp. A CVT is used. Lexus says that 0-60 time is 6.0 seconds.

The NX 450H+ weighs 4,475 lbs., it is 183.5" long on a wheelbase of 105.9". It will tow up to 2,000 lbs. There is 22.7 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats, and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats down. 


EPA rates the NX 450H+ at 84 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent) or 37 mpg combined.

A 2024 Lexus NX 450 H+ starts at $58,655. Configure one how you would like it at lexus.com












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