Her + His Car Reviews
2015 Lexus NX 300h
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate, women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| $50,803 | $50,803 as tested. base price before options is $41,310 |
| Performance | |
| Lexus has done a terrific job entering the CUV market with this hybrid. Modeled after the Toyota Rav4, the 300h uses strong and sturdy 194 horsepower to gear up and stay strong on the road. We test drove this over 1000 miles through the Allegheny Mountains and the Catskills and the vehicle sustained power going up and down the road ranges. Handling of the Lexus NX on the turnpikes at all speeds was responsive. Like most hybrids, the NX 300h took more effort to get out of the starting gate and the cabin can be louder when going up those hillsides. | You certainly won't have any acceleration difficulties. The NX performs briskly and precisely, with the best steering and handling behavior among the Lexus lineup. Power comes from a 2.5 liter hybrid, four cylinder engine and battery combination that puts out 194 horsepower. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| The official paperwork calls for 33 city and 30 highway, with 32 overall. After a week and logging all those miles, that was true to our findings. Excellent mileage for its class! | 33 city, 30 highway, and 32 combined. The government says you save $2,750 in fuel costs over five years with this car. |
| The Car | |
| More diminutive than its RX peer, the NX delivers so much in this sleek compact stylish all wheel drive hybrid. The NX amps up the sophistication notch, delivers the luxury equation and packs all the safety and tech goodies into this car. A 'five-seater' -- this designation would be tight with any cargo in tow. The sporty ride was appreciated in both the urban and city driving. We like the 60/40 folding and reclining rear seats. | the NX models are firmly placed in the compact luxury car segment of the market, just below the RX models. It is pretty clear that it is aimed at young childless couples, or smaller affluent families with one or two children. It is also aimed at those who place a high premium on high style. But things do get a bit murky. You could certainly argue that older RX models served this same market for years, so I think Lexus is going to have to be pretty crystal clear as to whom this car is aimed at. |
| Safety | |
| Mega Airbags, Blindspot warning system, Roadside Assistance Package with SOS, Front and rear parking Sensors, Pre-collision warning. And more. | Eight Airbags and the Lexus Safety Connect system, which provides collision notification, stolen vehicle location, emergency assist button (SOS) and enhanced Roadside Assistance, head the lengthy list of safety equipment. |
| Technology | |
| Lots of technology on the latest NX including LED headlights, LED foglights, Keyless starter, Dual-zone climate control for customized temperature, Eight-way power front seats, Driver Lumbar, Heated Mirrors and Steering, Power tilt-and-telescoping adjustable steering wheel, 7-inch display screen, Rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Siri-based voice controls and readouts for iPhones - took abit of doing to get the hand of this. HD and satellite radio, Most entertaining 8 speaker sound system, CD player, Auxiliary audio jack and USB/iPod audio interface. Automatic Wipers, Comfy Leather seating, Power Liftgate. And, the Navigation package which showcased the Remote Touch electronics interface. Very awesome. |
Standard features include all the typical power assisted items -- steering, brakes, windows, mirrors, etc.; antilock brakes location specific tire monitoring system, electronically controlled all-wheel drive; Lexus Enform System including Safety Connect, Emergency assist (SOS) button, Couple of problems, though. The new wireless charger fits only smaller smartphones, not larger ones like mine--a disappointment. And then there's the new interface system that requires you to use a very light touch with your fingertips to select just what function you're looking for. It's terrible. Just awful. That's a pity, because in so many other ways, the NX is an exemplary product that ranks at the top of the CUV crowd, regardless of size. And I am including the venerable RX series in the number of products that seems woefully mediocre next to it. If you use too much pressure, the onscreen arrow goes all over the place. Too little and it goes nowhere. It took me 20 minutes to get the system to calm down enough for me to complete my inputs for the navigation system. Why the Lexus people decided to go with this system is beyond me. The old design that looked like a mouse was the best in the industry as far as I'm concerned. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| Lexus continues to set the mark for styling and sophistication. By impeccable use of design language, lines, and metals and material, they make the vehicle upscale and tasteful. There is such continuity with the richness and elegance from the outside of the NX to the modern inside. That is what Lexus clients can count on. That is what has Lexus enticing other brand customers to take a closer look and test drive - and purchase - their product. | The NX 300h and its gasoline counterpart, the 200t, are easily the most chic and contemporary SUVs in Lexus' lineup, and actually are at the top of the luxury heap on this score altogether. They belong to what I call the Origami school of automotive design, featuring striking, futuristic creases, with fold lines that dramatically stand out from the side profile, yet so well integrated into the design that everything looks as though it fits organically, rather than something that's added on. The Lexus "spool grille" design, one of my favorite themes, looks best on the NX models. The Lexus has a sense of dynamism even when standing still. The only challenge for Lexus is that the NX actually looks way more expensive than the popular RX model, which costs a lot more and looks tired by comparison. Really, the NX makes just about anybody look tired -- competitors and non-competitors alike. It's one of the best designs for Lexus ever. It's that good. Inside, the materials are top notch, with tasteful, subtly polished wood that comes in a number of delectable options. I love the striking white lettering against a dark background used in this car. Interior room is generous, and the fit and finish is just about the best in the business. |
| Warranty | |
| 5 year/60,000 Basic warranty, 5 year, 70,000 miles Powertrain warranty. | Five year, 60,000 mile basic warranty, five year, 70,000 mile powertrain warranty. |
