2022 Lexus NX price and features detailed: New BMW X3, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC rival to arrive late with hybrid and turbo options

Lexus Australia has confirmed pricing and specification details for the second-generation NX, with the mid-size SUV now due in local showrooms in January with the option of naturally aspirated, hybridised or turbocharged power.

As reported, the new NX was scheduled to arrive in November, but its launch has been pushed back by two months due to supply issues prompted by the severe parts shortages (semiconductor and wiring harness) that Lexus and parent company Toyota continue to endure globally.

That said, the mid-size SUV will launch with four powertrain options, starting with the front-wheel drive (FWD) NX250’s 152kW/243Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine and eight-speed torque-converter automatic.

Read More About Lexus NX

2022 Lexus NX revealed: Hybrid options double as BMW X3, Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC rival follows Toyota RAV4 lead and plugs in New Lexus NX plug-in hybrid firming for Australia: Toyota RAV4 PHEV relative sets sights on BMW X3 xDrive30e and Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e Lexus NX news and reviews

Also taken from the related Toyota RAV4 is the NX350h’s series-parallel ‘self-charging’ hybrid powertrain, which combines a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, although its system power output is 16-19kW higher, at 179kW.

With an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) and a lithium-ion battery in tow, the FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD) NX350h’s fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test (ADR 81/02) is as low as 5.0L/100km, or 1.9L/100km better than that of the NX250.

What is unique to the NX, though, is the AWD NX350’s all-new 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine, which produces 205kW at 6000rpm and 430Nm of torque from 1700-3600rpm. It’s mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic.

The NX is also offered with Lexus' first plug-in hybrid powertrain in the NX450h+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The NX450h+ takes the AWD NX350h’s powertrain and increases its combined power output to 227kW, and adds an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery that provides an estimated 75km of WTLP-certified electric-only range.

Priced from $60,800 before on-road costs, the NX250 is only available in the entry-level Luxury form, while the NX350 is exclusively offered in the mid-range F Sport guise ($77,900). Conversely, the NX350h can be had in both of those grades as well as the Sports Luxury flagship, with prices ranging from $65,600 to $77,900.

The NX450h+ tops the entire range at $89,900, meaning it undercuts al its key PHEV rivals like the BMW X3 xDrive30e ($104,900), Mercedes-Benz GLC300e ($95,700) and the Volvo XC60 Recharge ($95,353).

Standard equipment in the Luxury includes LED headlights and foglights, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and a power tailgate.

Inside, push-button start, a 9.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system (with always-on natural voice control), satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, digital radio, a power-adjustable steering column, eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, and dual-zone climate control feature.

Lexus offers two Enhancement Packs for some grades, priced at $3000 and $6000 and adding features such as a sunroof, a kick-motion auto tailgate, a heated steering wheel and a premium audio system.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to front and rear autonomous emergency braking (with intersection assist and pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection), lane-keep and steering assist (with emergency functionality), adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, high-beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring and Safe Exit Assist.

The F Sport and Sports Luxury pick up adaptive tri-beam LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, a 14.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting and surround-view cameras, while the former also gets adaptive sports suspension, a body kit and sports seats.

Meanwhile, the Sports Luxury separates itself with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and a ‘digital’ rearview mirror, both of which are optional in the F Sport. AWD variants of either grade can also add a panoramic sunroof, a heated steering wheel and park assist.

2022 Lexus NX pricing before on-road costs

UPDATED FROM: 11/10/2021