2020 Lexus NX 300

The 2020 Lexus NX 300 competes in the Compact Luxury segment, a segment largely known for rugged bodies, bold styling, and a foolproof standard feature list. Though people are dazed by German auto cosmetics, the Japanese are no joke in the segment. The Lexus NX 300 is a solid offering from the Japanese, Lexus offers two trims for the gas-powered NX, standard NX300, and NX300F Sport. Lexus offers one powertrain and an option for front or all-wheel-drive., though you have to spend $1,400 more for the All-wheel-drive variant.

The standard feature list if not the best in the world but packs enough punch to compete in the fellow American and German league. The F sports variants add more sugar and spice to the standard feature list and tune the suspension to be more aggressive. 

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The standard NX300 is the most rational choice just makes sure to add the Comfort package for the Heated and ventilated front seats and blind-spot monitoring.

“In terms of performance and driver engagement, the Lexus NX 300 is merely average among the current crop of luxury crossover SUVs. But odds are that most shoppers are just looking for an easy-to-drive vehicle. On that front, the NX satisfies”- Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

This year the NX 300 remained untouched as far as mechanical changes are a concern. You get a familiar 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Engine paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. There are no other engine or transmission options. The powertrain can muster up to 235 horsepower and 258-pound feet of torque. The engine can either fire up the front wheels of all four wheel depending on the choice of the drivetrain, the F-Sport version is bound by the All-Wheel-Drive. The hybrid NX 300 harbors a bigger 2.5 L Inline-4 engine backed by an electric motor and battery.

As far as engine fine-tuning goes, the Hybrid version is more smooth, the latter offers a sufficient punch but the power delivery feels disturbed and unrefined. The 6-speed automatic doesn’t make anything easy. It feels unpolished with its sluggish shifts, something which Lexus should have paid attention to.

Acceleration

Let’s get one thing straight performance is not the brightest thing on the NX 300. The lack of power makes acceleration slothful. The NX 300 speeds up to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. However, it improves on the quarter-mile track. The NX300 hits the quarter mile light in 14.8 seconds.

Ride and Handling

Lexus should have filled in the gap of power with a V6 engine, however, it's not the case. Apart from the power scarcity the NX 300 has a light steering which gives you preciseness but takes away road communication. However, the backlash will only surface at high speed. Taking corners is not the best idea in the NX 300, as the SUV leans a lot but in a way that could be controlled and minimized. The F Sport trim will spice up your ride with adaptive dampers and better overall driving dynamics. At last, being a crossover helps in better maneuvering in the city’s packed roads.

Braking

Lexus was not that ambitious about NX 300’s braking, also it was the only way to keep the cost low. So, Lexus took the smallest brake discs that could work on an SUV, resulting in an 11.7 inches front and 11.2 inches rear brakes were installed in the NX 300. The SUV halts from the speed of 60 mph in 138 feet, it’s possibly the worst performance in the segment and the small rotors are the one to blame.

Lexus worked wonders by its hybrid witchcraft but failed to cast the same spell on the standard NX 300. In the city, you can expect an average mileage for 22 mpg and the mediocrity continuous on the highway through a 28 mpg fuel economy. Hence, you can expect combined ergonomic numbers of 25 mpg. The F Sport package brings in wider types which slash the combined economy my 1 mph. The same logic goes for the All-Wheel-drive option.

“The NX interior provides a wealth of passenger space, but the diminished cargo capacity hurts this crossover's overall utility. The darkest cloud is cast by the frustrating and ill-conceived Remote Touch infotainment controller”- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

As flamboyant and eccentric the Japanese exterior gets the interior is rather on the simpler side. The best part about the NX is its spaciousness, there is plenty of legroom and headroom, though the small windows make the rear cabin a little claustrophobic. The NX feels a little tall but the door opening is a bit short which can be obstructing for some. As for the quality, the cabin quality is on par though it’s simulated-leather upholstery it does not meddle with the experience. The rest of the interior feels genuine and well rounded.

Again putting the word about the spacious NX’s cabin, you will have a decent front cabin space of 38.2 inches headroom and 42.8 inches of legroom. The rear cabin is not that bad either the legroom is squeezed to 36.1 inches and the headroom stays the same.

Cargo

The NX’s cargo volume is disappointing, you only get 17.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. Though you can expand this space by using the foldable rear seats to 53.6 inches. However, the standard cargo bay is half of what is getting on RDX Acura which is quite a factoring point. The tailgate is not that wide, courtesy of the sloping roofline.

Infotainment

The NX’s cabin is pretty driver-oriented except for the 8-inch infotainment screen which is a bit distracting and complicated. You need to carefully look for all the buttons which create a mess while you are driving. The Screen is governed by Remote Touch interface which is updated last year to simplify its jargons to a certain point, but the remaining problems are stuck like a gum. Also, the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto further discourages the buyer.

Interior Features-

• Audio And Cruise Controls On Steering Wheel
• Front Seatback Storage
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Keyless Ignition
• Climate Control
• Turn Signal In Mirrors
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
• Front And Rear Cupholders
• Front And Rear Door Pockets
• Electric Power Steering
• Rear View Camera
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Interior Air Filtration
• Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel

“The 2020 Lexus NX is extroverted outside, comfortable inside, and more familiar by the year”- The Car Connection

Design and Styling

Lexus has always been pretty loud about their designs and the tradition continues with the NX. The revised spindle-shaped grill is daunting as ever plus the new headlights and taillights add more persona to the simple SUV design. Although, all these touches were made in the yesteryear and there is no concrete change that makes this year’s NX special. The F sport trim adds a bigger grill and wheels to create a more imposing stance. Though for some people Lexus feels over styled, for others it’s something to break the monotony from the regular SUV styling.

Dimensions and Weight

The NX 300 makes quite a visual impact, there is fine character-defining lines but that merges with the design to make a flush effect. However, the gigantic grill makes the SUV look big but actually, it’s inches shorter than other crossovers in the segment. The length is rated at 182 inches while the width and height are set at 73 and 64 inches. The ground clearance is pretty low at 7 inches and so is the wheelbase.

Exterior Features-

• Power Tilt And Slide Moonroof
• Alloy Wheel Locks
• Door Edge Guards
• Power Rear Door W/Kick Sensor
• Mudguards
• Roof Rack Cross Bars
• F SPORT 19-In Split-Six-Spoke Forged Alloy Wheels
• Paint Protection Film By 3M
• Panoramic View Back Up Monitor
• Door Edge Film By 3M
• Premium Triple-Beam LED Headlamps

You might have to negotiate one or two things in the NX though safety is not compromised. NHTSA rated the NX 300 with a four-star frontal crash test ratings and an all-star rating for the side crash test. IIHS has not yet tested the NX 300 though it’s been carried forward from last year with no changes and last year it successfully pleased all its critiques. IIHS gave the NX with its Top Safety Pick+ award, so the safety scene is quite sorted for this SUV. After all, this testing comes the rich safety feature list.

• Rear Door Child Safety Locks
• Turn Signal Mirrors
• Daytime Running Lights
• Engine Immobilizer
• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• Stability Control
• Post-Collision Safety System
• Child Seat Anchors
• Lane Departure Warning Accident Avoidance System
• Front And Rear Head Airbags
• Emergency Braking Assist
• Dusk Sensing Headlamps
• LED Headlamp
• Ventilated Front Disc / Solid Rear Disc Brakes
• Cornering Lights

Lexus NX 300 vs Acura RDX-

Unlike Lexus Acura has big plans for the RDX, they changed the RDX to be more sporty and comfortable. The all-new RDX not just packs more power but has a bigger cargo bay with a competitive economy. The extra juice of horsepower gives Acura a considerable edge in acceleration plus is a more polished ride compared to the NX 300. As for practicality, Acura offers almost double of what Lexus offers.

With a similar price tag, the Acura RDX might be the better deal amongst the two.

Lexus NX 300 vs Volvo XC60-

Volvo XC60 is a premium SUV which competes in the big leagues. Tasteful interiors, potent engine, and traces of modern luxury are what you get with the XC60. Factoring this Chinese SUV with the NX 300 might not be a fair fight but its one we need to have. Volvo is a little over 40 grand but it fills the difference with more power and better cargo volume. The NX 300’s interior is fair as well, it looks premium, however, you won’t anything mildly similar to Volvo’s quality.

The XC60 might have an expensive price tag but it’s a worthy leap to take.

Extroverted styling, well-crafted interior and decent driving dynamics is what you receive when getting in bed with this Lexus. Power is not the best but enough to combat tricky roads and cruise around the highway comfortably. But it's not the best in the market, if you like to constantly use the features or navigate through the infotainment then the NX 300 will not make things easy. Also, the low cargo volume is a big mockery for cargo volume for this segment.

Though the LX 300 is a solid deal it's not the most lucrative, the lapse of cargo and technology can be easily improved by going with a different brand.