After Toyota North America->ke88 filled trademarks for two new models -- the NX 200t and NX 300h -- it was not hard to figure out that these were upcoming Lexus->ke47 models. The fact that they were SUVs was made simply by the "X" in their names. It was also not very difficult to understand that one trademark -- the NX 200t -- will be the turbocharged gasoline version, while the other one -- the NX 300h -- will be a hybrid model. The NX 200t will be powered by the company's new 2.0-liter, turbocharged AR engine set to launch in 2014, while the 300h will likely get the same hybrid powertrain as in the Lexus ES 300h: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle hybrid engine.

The new Lexus NX will be placed under the company's current RX->ke496 and will most likely debut on the market sometime in 2015.

Updated 4/11/2014: Lexus has officially confirmed that the NX line will debut at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on April 20th. The lineup will include the base NX 200, the turbocharged NX 200t and the hybrid NX 300h. Details are still limited, but we detailed as much as we could, plugs a look at the concepts that previewed the NX, after the jump.

2015 Lexus NX

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Lexus NX
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 175
  • Torque: 185
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Update History

Updated 12/04/2013: Lexus announced that the production version LF-NX - or simply the NX as you may know it, will be making its world debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. It looks like the production version will retain concept's stand-out styling, because apparently customers want more expressive models. The production version will be offered with a new 2.0-litre turbo engine, plus the same hybrid system used in models like GS300h. (AutoExpress)

Updated 04/04/2014: Lexus officially confirmed today that the all-new NX crossover will be officially unveiled at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. A first teaser image was also dropped, revealing that the production version will stay pretty much faithful to the LF-NX concept.

Spyshots

Concepts

2013 Lexus LF-NX Turbo Concept

The LF-NX was our first look at a compact SUV concept from Lexus, as it debuted in the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Unfortunately, the details were really scarce on this concept, but it was still nice to see some style coming to the Lexus SUV lineup.

2013 Lexus LF-NX Turbo Concept

The LF-NX Concept debuted in Tokyo and gave us a good look at what was in the future for the automaker and hinted to us that a turbocharged SUV was coming. Honestly, the production model really held true to the concept, save for the insane-looking interior and the over-the-top body lines of the Tokyo Show model.

Exterior

Wow.... That is about all I could say when these images crossed my desk. Not only is it impressive to see Lexus entering the compact-crossover segment, but it is also nice to see that it is doing so in style. The massive spindle grille seems to sit just right on the nose of the new NX, the air intakes flanking the grille are nice and sporty and the body lines are simply incredible. Need I mention those broad front wheel wells, sleek, new headlights and the checkmark LED accents below them.

The sexiness continues from the side profile, as the swooping roofline, lower body sculpting and wide rear wheel arches are something out of the norm for Lexus. The taillights also wrap around the rear quarter with authority, making the SUV look fast sitting in the parking lot. This is a clear sign that the Toyota affiliate is tired of being lambasted for its boring designs.

Around back, however, things get just a tad boring, as the taillights are cool but the straight-on look of them is nothing special, the bumper just looks cheap and the exhaust tips look like they just don't fit right. On top of that, it looks as if someone almost pinched the top half of the NX, making the roof look a lot thinner than the midsection. Sure, this is there to give the rear riders a tad more headroom, but it just looks awkward.

Overall, however, this is one hell of a move forward for Lexus. I just hope they keep it up.

Exhaust Tips In Detail

Lighting In Detail

Interior

The praise continues as I head into the images of the cabin. Lexus created a gorgeous cabin that perfectly combines soft-touch materials with hard-metal accents, giving the cabin both a luxurious feel and an aggressive look. The center stack surround is by far the biggest eye-grabber, as it's silver hue commands your attention as you examine the dash. Once you're able to pry your eyes away from the center stack, you find silver highlights on the top of the dash and door panels, and on the lower spoke of the steering wheel. On top of that, it looks as if the F Sport model features contrast stitching on the dash, while other models get wood-grain accents.

In that beautiful center stack is the Human Machine Interface and up top is an iPad-like touchscreen to give you full control of the SUV.

Lexus didn't dive into how many people and how much cargo the NX can carry, but the assumption is five people and a maximum of around 73.4 cubic feet -- roughly the same as the 2014 RAV4->ke370. The manufacturer did, however, mention that seating configuration was a huge focus, as it dropped the hip line to give the driver a more connected-to-the-car feeling and to increase headroom.

Contrast Stitching in Detail

Drivetrain

Lexus remained relatively mum on the drivetrain, only revealing mostly basic information. I did learn that the NX will be available in three main variants: NX 200, NX 200t, and NX 300h. The NX 200 will feature a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter engine. The NX 200t will feature an all-new, turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that I expect to pump out around 225 horsepower. Finally, the NX 300h will be a hybrid model that will likely tote around a 2.5-liter hybrid drivetrain with around 180 horsepower. Expect at least the hybrid model to come with a CVT, but possibly the entire NX lineup.

The NX will be available with standard wheel-wheel drive or optional "all-weather drive." I think the latter is just either a cute way for Lexus to say all-wheel drive or simply a typo and "weather" was supposed to be "wheel."

2015 Lexus NX - Drivetrain Specifications

Model

NX 200

NX 200t

NX 300h

Engine

2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder

2.0-Liter Turbo Four-Cylinder

TBA

Horsepower (HP @ RPM)

TBA

TBA

TBA

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

TBA

TBA

TBA

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

TBA

TBA

TBA

Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined)

TBA

TBA

TBA


Prices

Prices are also pretty low-key for now, but to remain competitive, Lexus needs to undercut The compact BMW, Audi, Land Rover and Mercedes compact SUVs. Given the only two that have set prices are the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque at $42,025 and the X1 starting at $31,825. Given Audi's scheme of always undercutting BMW by a few grand, I see the Q3 hitting $29,900, and with Mercedes typically checking in a few grand over Bimmer, I see the GLA-Class coming in at $33,000. This gives us a reasonable starting estimate for the NX 200 of $27,500. Expect the NX 200t to hit about $30,000 and the NX 300h to come in around $34,000.

2015 Lexus NX - Pricing

Model

Model

NX 200

$27,500

NX 200t

$30,000

NX 300h

$34,000


Competition

Range Rover Evoque

Land Rover unveiled the Evoque at the 2010 Paris Auto Show and updated just in time for the 2014 model year. The SUV's impressive design, the small 2.0 liter engine and its attractive price transformed it very quickly into one of the most successful model in land Rover's lineup.

The Evoque is powered by a 2.0-liter engine that delivers a total of 240 horsepower and for the 2014 model year it is mated to an all-new nine-speed ZF-sourced transmission.

Not only is the Evoque far more powerful than I expect from the base NX 200, but its $41,995 base price puts it way on the fringe of the NX's competitor list.

Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 is really right up the Lexus NX's competition alley. It is small, sporty, cheaper than a Bimmer and Mercedes, and high in luxury. Audi officially debuted the Q3 at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show confirming all of our suspicions that the small SUV would make its way into the American market.

Under its hood is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that puts down 200 ponies and 207 pound-feet of torque, thanks to a turbocharger. This will make it slightly quicker than the base NX 200, but also a little slower than the NX 200t, given it comes with the output I expect it to.

Pricing is not yet available, but Audi loves nothing more than to undercut BMW's pricing, so figure on it coming in just a tick under $30k, giving Lexus a little breathing room in its pricing of the NX.

2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class-> https://www.topspeed.com/cars/mercedes/2015-mercedes-benz-gla-class-ar153563.html]

The Mercedes GLA-Class is another newbie to the American market in 2015, and it sits just below the GLK-Class in the Benz lineup. The GLA-Class is not the best-looking SUV to come out of Germany -- kind of looks like a restyled Infiniti FX -- but it certainly will have its fair share of followers.

Under of the base GLA250 is a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-pot that puts down 208 horses and 258 pound-feet of torque. This power goes through a seven-speed auto transmission that delivers the goods to all four wheels -- yup, no FWD from Benz.

According the Mercedes' claims, the GLA Class can hit 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, making it one of the quickest base models in its class. But the downside is that it will also likely be the second-highest priced in the class between the X1 and Evoque. But the level of pride in driving a Mercedes versus a Lexus is priceless to some buyers.

Conclusion

Yes sir, Lexus is here to kick ass and take some names, as it has finally released a small SUV to join the fun as the world of luxury, compact SUVs invades the U.S. in 2015. Unfortunately, the information is still scarce on the drivetrain and interior features, but just the look of the vehicle is enough to get our heart pittering and pattering. Really nice work Lexus, now we just need to find out if it has the guts to hang with the big-boys next year.