Shanghai show: Lexus updates NX SUV

LEXUS has given its NX mid-size SUV a light refresh for the Shanghai motor show, bringing light styling updates inside and out, changes to ride and handling and a new nomenclature for turbocharged petrol variants ahead of an Australian arrival in the first half of 2018.

It would take a keen observer to notice the changes to the NX’s exterior, which include a revised front bumper and upper portion of the grille, as well as a new grille pattern for both F Sport’s ‘spindle’ grille as well as the vertically striped grille on non-F Sport variants.

The headlight cluster has also been redesigned to reflect the new LC coupe, with the inline trio of LED light bulbs reworked into a triangular design.

Rear styling has also been mildly reworked, with a wider rear bumper, chrome-tipped exhaust pipes for petrol variants and reworked tail-lights that further emphasise the ‘L-shaped’ design.

Two new 18-inch aluminium wheels have been added to the range, consisting of a two-tone bronze-and-grey design and a bright silver design with dark metallic paint.

F Sport variants will get their own exclusive silver-and-black wheels as well as aluminium instrumentation and a turbo boost and G-force readout on the head-up display.

Interior revisions include a new 10.3-inch touchscreen interface that replaces the old 7.0-inch unit, a simplified air-conditioning unit that replaces multiple buttons with four toggle switches, a new switch for rear passengers to set their air-con temperature, and a slightly redesigned analogue clock.

The majority of the controls now come in a metallic satin finish, while on the centre console the touch interface pad has been enlarged with a reshaped palm rest and convenience is enhanced with the addition of a foot-operated sensor opening function for the tailgate.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels have been improved with the addition of sound deadening material and revised suspension.

No changes have been made to the NX’s powertrains, which kicks off with the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder unit that makes 175kW/350Nm mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

It is also offered with a hybrid system that teams a 2.5-litre aspirated petrol engine to an electric motor for a combined output of 147kW/210Nm when paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

As GoAuto has reported, the naming convention of the 200t turbo-petrol has been changed to 300, to reflect the turbocharging that is progressively happening to all non-hybrid Lexus models across the range.

Handling has been improved with the revision of springs, stabiliser bars and bushings new shock absorbers and the addition of the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system, which can offer up to 650 instantaneous compression and damping adjustments.

The NX range will now come with a suite of safety technologies including pre-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic high beam.