The next-generation of Lexus’ best-selling vehicle in Australia has been leaked.
The 2022 Lexus NX has been revealed in a video, first shared by a user on Reddit, which shows the full exterior and interior of the new car.
The interior is dramatically changed from the current car and includes a new digital instrument cluster.
It looks like curtains for Lexus’ maligned Remote Touch trackpad. Instead, the screen looks to be controlled by touch only and it’s grown considerably.
The touchscreen is angled towards the driver and sits above the climate controls in a much more minimalist centre stack than the current car.
At the base of the centre stack is a wireless charging pad, while the centre console is home to the shifter and electronic parking brake plus controls for the EV mode and hill descent control.
The previewed car has an attractive black-and-cream colourway with trim pieces on the doors that appear inspired by the flagship Lexus LS’ intricate door trim detailing.
The exterior is an evolution of the current car. There are familiar details, like the sharply-raked belt line at the C-pillar, and the tick-shaped lighting elements, while Lexus’ trademark sharp creases remain.
The look is smoother, however, in the vein of the restyled Lexus IS. The front-end detailing, for example, is a little cleaner and the side creases appear slightly less pronounced.
There’s also a new, full-width light bar at the rear.
The video doesn’t have any audio commentary, though it ends with a title card reading “Lexus NX350h”, which suggests there’s a new hybrid powertrain.
A recent report from BestCarWeb said the new model will debut in May 2021.
It’s expected to move to the TNGA architecture underpinning the current Toyota RAV4 and Harrier, and will reportedly share their 2690mm wheelbase.
The next NX will also share their hybrid powertrain, according to the report, although it’ll continue to offer a Lexus-exclusive turbocharged engine.
The current NX300’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is expected to be replaced with a turbo 2.4-litre producing 220kW of power.
That’s a significant jump from the 175kW of the existing NX300.
Reportedly measuring 4630mm long, 1630mm tall and 1870mm wide, it’ll be 10mm shorter, 15mm lower and 25mm wider than the current car, while its wheelbase will grow by 30mm.
That’ll also make it 15mm longer and 5mm wider than the RAV4.
The current Lexus NX
The plug-in hybrid RAV4 PHV’s powertrain could also join the NX range.
Mating a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the RAV4 PHV has a total system output of 225kW and can do the 0-100km/h dash in just 6.2 seconds.
