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The next-to-smallest of the brand’s five utility vehicles
has received a major overall, although you might
never guess by its appearance that’s similar to the
outgoing NX. Lexus reshaped the grille and body panels
and added more rake to the windshield for improved
aerodynamics. The NX uses the same architecture
as the Toyota RAV4 and is similar in size. The updated
dashboard includes a larger touch-screen that’s angled
toward the driver. The shift lever has been swapped
out for a less intrusive rocker-style lever. Rear-seat
passengers are now treated to more legroom. For
2022, there are four NX models, each with its own
powertrain. The base front- and optional all-wheeldrive
NX 250 come with a 203-horsepower 2.5-liter
four-cylinder, while the all-wheel-drive NX 350 gets a
turbocharged 2.5-liter I-4 with 275 horsepower. Of the
two all-wheel-drive hybrid options, the NX 350h delivers
239 horsepower with assistance from two electric
motors. The top-level NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid puts out
REDESIGNED 2022
2022 Lexus NX
Base price: $39,000
Type: Compact utility vehicle
Engines (h.p.): 2.5-liter I-4 (203), 2.5-liter I-4, turbocharged
(275); 2.5-liter I-4 with electric motors (239/302)
Transmissions: Eight-speed automatic (non-hybrids);
continuously variable
Layout: Front- /all-wheel-drive
Base mpg (city/highway/combined): 22/29/25
Base weight (lb.): 3,880
302 horsepower and can run for up to 36
miles on battery power alone. An F Sport
package that’s available for the NX 350
and NX 450+ adds a continuously variable
suspension with performance shocks, wellbolstered
sport seats, distinctive grille and
20-inch gloss-black wheels.