Lexus NX450h+ PHEV due Q2 2022

The Lexus NX450h+ SUV range includes the first Lexus plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) arriving in the second quarter of next year, the AWD F Sport 2.5P PHEV priced from $107,900.

The new NX will be revealed locally at the beginning of 2022, with hybrid (HEV) variants arriving first in Q1, the 350h FWD priced from $92,700 and the AWD Limited from $101,900.

The pricing includes Lexus’ four-year unlimited kilometre warranty, service plan and roadside assistance package.

The F-Sport offers elevated levels for driving performance, design and advanced technology.

“The new NX is a massive step forward for Lexus in both technology and electrification,” Lexus New Zealand general manager Andrew Davis says.

“With the addition of the PHEV to our overall range we take another step forward on our carbon neutral journey, now having a HEV, BEV and PHEV offering for customers,” he adds.

“We also see the addition of the Tazuna architecture in the driver’s cockpit, which aims to raise the quality of the driving experience, while ensuring they feel a deeper and more intuitive connection with the vehicle.

“The development of the new NX has brought about a major change in Lexus’ approach to new vehicle development, applying digital modelling and computer techniques for smarter engineering that can achieve a higher level of quality assurance.”

Lexus says it is redefining the mid-size luxury SUV segment with a car that is comprehensively new.

The Lexus Global Architecture K (GA-K) platform provides more cabin space and generous cargo capacity.

“During 2021 over 68% of Lexus sales have been electrified vehicles, a 25.8% increase from last year which we expect to continue as our electrified product range expands in 2022,” Davis says.

The new NX will be only available in New Zealand as a hybrid electric, NX 350h, or plug-in hybrid electric, NX 450+, vehicle.

 Davis says the NX 450h+ is the complete package for a mid-sized luxury SUV and inspires confidence for a driver wanting to balance their mobility needs while still lowering their overall CO2 footprint.

“With around 87km of pure EV driving available, it is designed to let you commute on electric power only, and if you want to go further afield and head off to the country for the weekend, you still have the 2.5L petrol hybrid system so there is no range anxiety,” he says.

The halo model in the new NX range, the 450h+, features a four-cylinder, 2.5-litre hybrid Atkinson cycle engine, a 134kW front electric motor, a 40kW rear electric motor, hybrid transaxle and a lithium-ion battery with 18.1kWh capacity.

The full plug-in system, including electric motors and battery, produces a combined system output of 227kW, enabling acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. At the same time, weighted combined CO2 emissions of 29g/km and 1.3 l/100km fuel consumption are produced.

The NX also debuts a new multimedia platform and benefits from expansion of the scope and functionality of the next generation Lexus Safety System+ active safety and driver assistance systems.