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Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist
18 Feb 2022
2 min read

The NX 450h+ PHEV is the first Lexus (or Toyota) to offer a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in Australia, and is the flagship of the second-generation Lexus NX range.

Beginning from $89,900 before on-road costs, it is powered by an economical 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 136kW of power and 227Nm of torque.

It is paired to an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery and a permanent synchronous motor on each axle – making 134kW/270Nm and 40kW/121Nm respectively – to offer AWD, as well as an electric-only range of about 70km (using WLTP). Result? With 227kW, standstill to 100km/h takes 6.3 seconds. A 10A charging current will see a full charge take around 7.5 hours.

Standard equipment includes a 14.0-inch touchscreen, ‘Hey, Lexus!' always-on voice command, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, digital radio, a power-adjustable steering column, electrically-actuated front seats with heating, dual-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, tri-beam LED adaptive headlights, leather upholstery, 20-inch alloys, head-up display, wireless smartphone charging, ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, surround-view cameras, adaptive dampers, sports suspension, extra configurable driving modes, a unique body kit and alloy wheel design, sports seats and blacked-out cabin trim.

ANCAP has yet to award a rating to the second-generation NX, but expect a five-star result. You'll find eight airbags (providing coverage to all outboard occupants, also taking in dual-front occupant knees and centre item to stop lateral head strikes), autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with intersection assist and pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, lane-keep and steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop/go functionality, auto high beams, road sign recognition, front/rear cross-traffic alert, reverse parking cameras, all-round parking sensors, tyre pressure monitors and Safe Exit Assist – which won't allow doors to open if passing cyclists or pedestrians are in danger of being struck.

Read the full 2022 Lexus NX review

Lexus NX450H+ 2022: F Sport + EP2 Phev AWD

Engine Type Inline 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded/Electric
Fuel Efficiency 1.3L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $79,530 - $91,410
Safety Rating
Byron Mathioudakis
Contributing Journalist
Byron started his motoring journalism career when he joined John Mellor in 1997 before becoming a freelance motoring writer two years later. He wrote for several motoring publications and was ABC Youth radio Triple J's "all things automotive" correspondent from 2001 to 2003. He rejoined John Mellor in early 2003 and has been with GoAutoMedia as a senior product and industry journalist ever since. With an eye for detail and a vast knowledge base of both new and used cars Byron lives and breathes motoring. His encyclopedic knowledge of cars was acquired from childhood by reading just about every issue of every car magazine ever to hit a newsstand in Australia. The child Byron was the consummate car spotter, devoured and collected anything written about cars that he could lay his hands on and by nine had driven more imaginary miles at the wheel of the family Ford Falcon in the driveway at home than many people drive in a lifetime. The teenage Byron filled in the agonising years leading up to getting his driver's license by reading the words of the leading motoring editors of the country and learning what they look for in a car and how to write it. In short, Byron loves cars and knows pretty much all there is to know about every vehicle released during his lifetime as well as most of the ones that were around before then.
About Author
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