DRIVEN: Lexus NX300h Let Down By Hefty Weight And Uninspired Powertrain

DRIVEN: Lexus NX300h Let Down By Hefty Weight And Uninspired Powertrain

Lexus is a past master at hybrid SUVs - the larger RX hybrid models have found a huge following not only in the US, but among affluent city dwellers in Europe too. The NX promises to offer the same appeal in a smaller, sexier package, costing from £29,495 - £5,000 less than the other NX, the 200t, with its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.
 
When you team that with the NX 300h’s claimed 56.5mpg (20mpg better than the NX200t) and 116g/km (for the front-drive version), the hybrid NX looks to be the obvious choice for private and company buyers alike. There’s even a clever all-wheel drive system to consider. Lexus’ E-Four drivetrain uses an additional electric motor on the rear axle, which kicks in when slip is detected or hard acceleration is demanded. The rest of the time you’ve got a petrol-electric front-driver, deploying a system output of 195bhp.


Read Article

Agent009Agent009 - 7/18/2014 3:27:25 PM
0 Boost
Not good, both the NX200t and the NX300h get bad marks for drivetrain refinement and dynamics.

I would have expect better


Car4LifeCar4Life - 7/18/2014 6:55:11 PM
+1 Boost
This car is sooooooo polarizing...I'd definitely opt for the Murano instead


800over800over - 7/19/2014 10:15:38 AM
+3 Boost
I would have expect better grammar.


TheSteveTheSteve - 7/18/2014 3:41:35 PM
+5 Boost
Lexus NX300h Let Down By Hefty Weight And Uninspired Powertrain... and a face only a mother could love. Meh, does Lex make some ugly vehicles!


xjug1987axjug1987a - 7/18/2014 4:05:39 PM
+5 Boost
This car is simply hideous... it could be the spawn of the Aztek and Fiat Multipla.... hideous....


hungnghkhungnghk - 7/25/2014 4:39:35 PM
+2 Boost
If there were no Japanese car companies on Earth then what would you be complaining about?
I am very eager to hear from you xjug1987a.

Do you know what polar moment of inertia is?
Do German engineer their cars by using polar coordinate system or Cartesain coordinate system?
I am very eager to hear from you since you love German cars so much.
Also,, do you know what normalization mean?
I am very eager to hear your answer.

Oh, about you comments about Japanese cars being no souls in the Audi S3 vs WRX STI.
First, one is a $50K car, and the other is a $35K car. The comparison should be normalized first.
Otherwise, it is meaningless. Do you know what normalization mean now?


RobertPaulsonRobertPaulson - 7/18/2014 4:37:53 PM
+4 Boost
Let's call this for what it really is. The Lexus RAV4.

Is there any surprise that it is incredibly underwhelming?


HughJassHughJass - 7/18/2014 4:57:27 PM
+2 Boost
If its priced similiar to Ford Escapes and friends, will sell like hotcakes and make Toyota a crapload of money.

If that's the case, I'm pretty sure Toyota doesn't give a crap what any of us here think as they laugh to the bank.


jeffgalljeffgall - 7/18/2014 6:01:08 PM
+4 Boost
Except it will not be priced the same as an Escape. As much as I do not like the looks of the vehicle, those who do not care about performance and handling will buy this thing in high numbers.


Dexter1Dexter1 - 7/18/2014 9:58:56 PM
+5 Boost
How about being "Let Down" by being so fu*king ugly it makes my eyes sore?


skytopskytop - 7/18/2014 10:28:08 PM
+6 Boost
Lexless installed that crippling heavy (and hideous) oversize grille.


JDMUSMuscleJDMUSMuscle - 7/18/2014 11:57:10 PM
-2 Boost
The reason why those guys are complaining.

Simple, all because they can't afford it. Stop crying.


jeffgalljeffgall - 7/20/2014 8:19:03 AM
+2 Boost
And you would know what other can and can't afford how?


leejleej - 7/20/2014 9:46:15 AM
+2 Boost
It's a challenge finding something interesting in this segment. If you want performance, you will end up looking at the Audi Q5 (local dealership has 11 on the lot and over half of them are over $55k...and 2 of them are over $60k. If you look at the BMW X3, well now, they are hitting the $55k mark too. So, look at the X1, well, the fit and finish in these, along with all the hard plastics and hollow doors are still over $40k. I think Lexus has something here that will at least be in the running. Clearly, they were not looking for drivetrain refinement...but most of the people buying this do not even know what that means...like probably a good bit of you here blinded by your biases in the first place.


stevowillcostevowillco - 7/21/2014 10:40:09 AM
+2 Boost
I completely agree.


stevowillcostevowillco - 7/21/2014 10:38:54 AM
+2 Boost
It still got 3 stars which is average for a competitive class and the same site gave it 4 stars in it's in-depth review. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lexus/nx/87945/suv Of which one of the noteworthy things it states is giving it 5 stars on styling. This CUV has everything in spades outside the driving category. And being that the highest priority of an CUV is not driving but comfort and size, I would suggest this is your vehicle unless you ascribe driving your highest priority. In that case, you should probably get a sedan or coupe or if you insist on an CUV the Audi Q5.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 7/21/2014 5:35:36 PM
+1 Boost
it's a dog. parts-bin attempt to launch a new model. even the wrapping paper failed.


knowitall1985knowitall1985 - 7/21/2014 6:56:49 PM
+1 Boost
44K units won't be enough. It will be a huge success....


hungnghkhungnghk - 7/25/2014 4:39:10 PM
+2 Boost
If there were no Japanese car companies on Earth then what would you be complaining about?
I am very eager to hear from you xjug1987a.

Do you know what polar moment of inertia is?
Do German engineer their cars by using polar coordinate system or Cartesain coordinate system?
I am very eager to hear from you since you love German cars so much.
Also,, do you know what normalization mean?
I am very eager to hear your answer.

Oh, about you comments about Japanese cars being no souls in the Audi S3 vs WRX STI.
First, one is a $50K car, and the other is a $35K car. The comparison should be normalized first.
Otherwise, it is meaningless. Do you know what normalization mean now?






SpartySparty - 7/25/2014 5:28:52 PM
+1 Boost
I appreciate Lexus' desire to be recognized as a "Sport Car" manufacturer, since the older gen they first pandered towards is unsustainable. However, if Lexus is genuine in the desire to "manufacture" and not just "call themselves" sporty, then they should focus themselves fully towards that goal instead of slapping "sporty bits" and throwing on some firmer springs then calling it a day.
Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC