Launched: The Lexus NX 450h+. Hello Tomorrow.

It’s a step into the future in more ways than one. Petrol, Hybrid and Electric all in one. Three distinctive drives modes. There’s no other like it. The all new Lexus plugs a gap in the premium mid-SUV segment. It’s hybrid technology at its best, as I got to find out at launch recently. Lexus has always been synonymous with luxury and versatility, ticking all the boxes. Drawing on more than 15 years of hybrid technology expertise, Lexus has unveiled its second plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in Mzansi with the new NX 450h+. It’s a quiet smooth operator. One noticeable point in the launch test drive was the very rapid yet smooth and effortless acceleration. This is very handy especially for quick overtakes on a busy national road. You press the accelerator and the SUV really hops. Plenty and all the power you will need. Aesthetically, the SUV sits with a somewhat aggressive yet ready stance. Once inside, you step into breath-taking luxury with the 14 inch centre console panel a standout and very easy to use. 

 

Class-leading Efficiency and Performance

Now that’s saying something. The NX 450h+ petrol-electric pairing features a four-cylinder 2.5-litre hybrid cycle engine, a 134kW front electric motor, a 40kW rear electric motor, hybrid transaxle and a lithium-ion battery with 18.1 kWh capacity. The battery can be fully recharged in around two-and-a-half hours, using a 32 A station.

No space is compromised

Being more energy-dense, the battery unit can be accommodated in the vehicle’s platform without intruding into the cabin or load space. Its location also contributes to the car’s low centre of gravity. Acknowledging how customers in the NX’s segment will typically use their vehicle for longer journeys, the fuel tank capacity is unaltered, at 55 litres, one of the largest.

Rapid Acceleration

The full plug-in system, including electric motors and battery, produces a total system output of 227kW, yielding a brisk acceleration time of 6,3 seconds for the 0-100 km/h dash, making it the performance pick of the NX.

The NX 450h+’s EV (electric vehicle) driving range is good for around 66.5 km, rising to 69-76 km in urban cycle journeys – the areas where clean vehicle performance is particularly crucial. Moreover, on the open road the Lexus can be driven in EV (Electric Vehicle) mode at highway speeds.

“As a business, we have adopted a multi-pathway approach to crafting sustainable mobility solutions that leave no one behind. Diverse eco-friendly vehicle technologies have been developed to cater to different usage needs, economic circumstances, energy sources and infrastructure readiness, allowing everyone to immediately start contributing to carbon neutrality,” says Glenn Crompton, VP of Marketing at Lexus SA.

 

Flexible Driving Experience

The driver can select from four drive modes for the plug-in hybrid electric system. EV (electric vehicle) mode is the default: the NX 450h+ will run purely on electric power until the limit of its range is reached. When the high voltage battery’s state of charge drops to a pre-determined level, operation switches automatically to efficient HV (hybrid vehicle) mode. The Auto EV/HV mode automatically brings the hybrid engine into play when extra power is needed, then returning to EV operation immediately afterwards. The driver can also select CHG mode (charge mode) which automatically maintains the battery’s state of charge.

Furthermore, using the advanced powertrain does not compromise the NX’s authentic SUV capabilities: the NX 450h+ comes as standard with energy-efficient e-Four all-wheel drive (AWD), using an additional electric motor to drive the rear axle when needed.  

 

More of everything, really!

On-the-road accomplishments, however, are just one aspect of the new NX’s leap forward in efficient performance. Inside, the NX is the recipient of a full digital makeover, but done with the understated class and elegance of a Lexus. Of course, there’s a customisable digital instrument display, aptly placed for optimal driver use, supplemented by full-colour Heads-Up Display, but there’s also a 14-inch touch-activated central screen to control and monitor the full suite of bells and whistles the NX comes standard with. Key cabin amenities such as navigation, multimedia and climate control can be operated using advanced voice recognition.

Interior

Plush personified. Get transformed into a different world. The interior features on the standard menu are many, but here’s a few worth mentioning: Thematic Ambient Illumination (14 different lighting themes to choose from), power seats for all occupants, heated wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel, Lexus Memory System (seats, steering wheel, HUD etc.), wireless charger (Apple Carplay and Android Auto enabled) and a moonroof for a pleasurable in-cabin experience.

On the safety front, the NX comes equipped with the most advanced Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, spanning the full gamut of active and passive safety kit from Pre-Collision and Active Cornering Assist to All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and a Lane Departure Alert system. A standout feature unique to Lexus is Digital Latch with Safe Exit Assist. When exiting, it detects if another vehicle or bicycle is approaching from the rear and prevents the occupant from opening the door if it senses danger.

 

Pricing and Warranty

The Lexus NX 450h+ retails for R 1, 336 200

As with all other Lexus models, boasts a best-in-class 7-years/105 000km Warranty and Full Maintenance Plan. The vehicle service intervals are at every 15 000 km, alternatively once a year. The NX 450h+ further comes with an additional 8-years/195 000 km hybrid battery warranty.