Lexus has come up with the next-gen 2022 NX crossover. The NX has been in the market for over three decades now and is still one of the most important products for the automaker. In fact, it is the second-best-selling Lexus model after the RX. For the 2022 model, the NX comes with an updated exterior and interior, and also a plug-in hybrid engine in a new top-of-the-line trim. The NX will arrive by the end of the year and could start at around $40,000.

2022 Lexus NX

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2022 Lexus NX
  • Engine/Motor: four-cylinder hybrid
  • Horsepower: 275
  • Torque: 317
  • Transmission: Eight-speed Automatic

2022 Lexus NX

Specifications
  • Engine/Motor: four-cylinder hybrid
  • Horsepower: 275
  • Torque: 317
  • Transmission: Eight-speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

How Different Is The Lexus NX On The Outside?

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The NX still features the large spindle grille that’s now synonymous with Lexus – although it’s said to be ‘refined’ - but the face looks a lot more aggressive overall. The daytime running lights have become sharper than before. The headlight can be had with three-projector LED lights. It can be had with new 20-inch gloss aluminum back wheels. At the rear, the crossover now features a full-width taillight, similar to the UX and the IS models.

Lexus has also added a few new colors to the mix:

-* Redline

-* Cloudburst Gray

-* Grecian Water

-* Ultra White

-* Obsidian

-* Ultra Sonic Blue Mica 2.0

The last three shades are offered exclusively with the F Sport package.

How Different Is The 2022 Lexus NX On The Inside?

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It is offered with multiple upholstery options, which include Black, Black with Rich Cream, Palomino, and Rioja Red NuLuxe. The NX now comes with front heated seats as standard and rear heated seats as optional. You can also choose between Black Open Pore wood and Black Prism trims.

On the tech front, the 2022 Lexus NX now comes with a 9.8-inch touchscreen system. You can also opt for a much larger 14-inch touchscreen for extra moolah. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is a big add-on because the previous touchscreen was not up to the mark and was a big turn-off for tech-savvy folks. The center console is slightly tilted towards the driver.

Apart from this, the new NX is also available with:

-* 10-inch head-up display

-* 17-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay audio system

-* Ambient lighting with 64 colors

-* Panoramic Moonroof

-* Digital Key

-* Digital Latch (Safe Exit Assist)

What Powers The 2022 Lexus NX?

The 2022 Lexus NX is underpinned on the GA-K platform. It comes with four different engine options based on the trims. The base NX 250 is powered by a 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-pot mill that puts out 203 horses and 184 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheel as standard via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but you can opt for an all-wheel-drive system. It isn’t exactly a great performer as it takes 8.2 seconds and 8.6 seconds to 60 mph from rest in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, respectively.

It makes use of a new eight-speed automatic transmission that propels the crossover from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.

The NX 350h comes with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with an electric motor mounted on each axle. It makes 239 horses combined and can gallop to 60 mph from rest in 7.2 seconds. The fuel economy is rated at 36 mpg, which is an increase of six mpg over the 2021 model. But, it must be noted that these are the automaker’s estimates and not an EPA-estimated figure.

There’s A New Plug-In Hybrid Trim On The 2022 Lexus NX

Then there’s the new apex trim - the 450h+. It is powered by the same 2.5-liter engine, but Lexus hasn’t revealed any further details yet. This plug-in hybrid mill makes “EV output equivalent to a 2.0-liter engine”. So, are we looking at over 400 horses combined? We’ll have to wait for Lexus to reveal more details about this.

Using 240V current, it can recuperate in 2.5 hours when equipped with the option 6.6 kW onboard charger. The standard onboard charger is rated at 3.3 kW, and with this, it will take 4.5 hours for the battery to recharge to 100-percent.

Since the 2.5-liter engine is the same as the RAV4’s, could this plug-in hybrid be the same as the RAV4 efficient equivalent? Called the RAV4 Prime, this Toyota product comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gas engine that makes 83 horses more, to put out a combined output of 302 horses. Here, it takes 5.8 seconds to sprint to 60 mph from rest, whereas Lexus has estimated six seconds to 60 mph on the NX.

To throw in a little off-topic fun fact, the 5.8-second sprint made the RAV4 Prime the second-quickest Toyota after the Supra! The Supra takes as low as 3.7 seconds to touch 60 mph. Anyway, I digress.

This trim will also come with Predictive Efficient Drive. This is essentially a system that predicts regenerative braking’s aggressiveness by using navigation and past data. For instance, if you have slowed or stopped at a particular location in the past, this system will increase the regenerative braking to make the drive more efficient.

The 2022 Lexus NX Will Be Offered With An F Sport Package

Blue 2023 Lexus NX450+ PHEV
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Lexus is offering the NX with an F Sport package on the 350 and the new 450h+ trims. It will include:

-* Active Variable Suspension

-* Front and rear performance dampers

-* 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels

-* Dark Graphite Aluminum ornamentation

-* A unique meter

-* Sport seats

-* A newly developed steering wheel

-* Aluminum pedals and scuff plates

-* Black and Circuit Red NuLuxe perforated interior

You can further add a Luxury package along with this F Sport package and get a 14-inch touchscreen system, unique headlamps, and 64-color ambient lighting.

2022 Lexus NX Safety Features

The 2022 NX will come equipped with the latest Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. This includes:

-* Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist

-* Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking

-* Right/Left Turn Oncoming Pedestrian Detection/Braking

-* Oncoming Vehicle Detection added to the Pre-Collision System

-* Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management

-* Road Sign Assist

-* Pre-collision System

-* Lane Assistance

-* Intelligent High Beam



FAQ

Q: How Much Does The 2022 Lexus NX Cost?

Lexus hasn’t revealed the pricing yet, but it will be priced at a slight premium over the outgoing model. The 2021 Lexus NX starts at $37,610. So, our guesstimate is a starting price of around $40,000.

Q: When Will The 2022 Lexus NX Arrive?

The 2022 Lexus NX’s production is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2021 and it should hit the dealerships soon after.