Australia’s most popular Lexus is about to be redesigned.
The second-generation NX will be unveiled online on June 12, 2021 at 1pm AEST, and if you saw the NX leak a few months back, the styling of the new crossover’s just-teased rear-end shouldn’t be a surprise.
There is one important change, though. Lexus has replaced its L-in-a-circle badge with a new word mark, like the one seen on the LF-Z Electrified concept.
NX leak
Like the heavily facelifted IS, the new NX mixes the company’s familiar slashes and sharp details with smoother surfacing.
On the inside, the NX heralds the end of the line for the much-derided Remote Touch infotainment system, which is replaced by a large integrated touchscreen.
There’s also a fully digital instrumentation display, but it seems, thankfully, Lexus hasn’t abandoned physical buttons and switches.
The NX is expected to use the same TNGA architecture as the Toyota RAV4 and Harrier/Venza.
As such, it will use 163kW 2.5-litre hybrid system found in those Toyota crossovers.
A plug-in hybrid seems to be a certainty as Lexus has already confirmed it will launch its first-ever PHEV model some time this year.
Given the need to improve economies of scale, the NX PHEV should use the 225kW 2.5-litre drivetrain found in RAV4s sold overseas.
The RAV4 PHEV has a 18.1kWh battery, and has an EV range of 68km according to the US EPA.
If electrified drivetrains aren’t your jam, reports indicate Lexus will offer a turbocharged 2.4-litre mill with around 220kW, a significant jump up from the 170kW 2.0-litre unit in the current NX300.
Until the end of April this year, the NX is the most popular Lexus in Australia with 1120 sales.
The mid-size crossover accounts for just over 33 per cent of the brand’s local volume, and is well ahead of the RX (630), UX (580), IS (506) and ES (252).
