2024 Lexus NX Review

The 2024 Lexus NX is a luxury crossover SUV that offers a compelling blend of style, comfort, and performance. Here's our review of the new NX:

Exterior Design:

The 2024 Lexus NX boasts a sleek and aggressive exterior design that sets it apart from its competitors. The front fascia features a distinctive spindle grille with a chrome surround, flanked by slender LED headlights. The profile is characterized by a sweeping roofline, pronounced fender flares, and a sharp character line that runs along the doors. Out back, the NX sports a clean and modern tailgate design, with a pair of chromed exhaust tips and a subtle diffuser. Overall, the NX looks sportier and more dynamic than its predecessor, thanks to its updated styling cues.

Interior Design:

Step inside the NX, and you'll be greeted by a sumptuous interior that exudes luxury and refinement. The cabin is appointed with high-quality materials, including soft-touch plastics, rich wood trim, and supple leather upholstery. The dashboard is elegantly designed, with a prominent central screen housing the infotainment system. The controls are intuitively laid out, with a mix of buttons, knobs, and touch-sensitive interfaces. Heated and ventilated front seats are now standard across all trims, providing excellent comfort and support. In terms of passenger space, the NX offers ample room for five people, with plenty of legroom and headroom. Behind the second row, there's enough cargo space for most families' needs.

Infotainment System:

Lexus has finally updated its infotainment system, which was one of the weak points of previous models. The new interface is based on a large 10.3-inch touchscreen display, which responds quickly to inputs and features crisp graphics. The menu structure is logical and easy to navigate, with a range of customization options available. Additionally, the NX now supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, making it easier to integrate your smartphone into the vehicle's ecosystem. A 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system is optional, delivering exceptional sound quality for audiophiles.

Safety Features:

Safety is a top priority for the 2024 Lexus NX, which is why it comes equipped with a long list of active and passive safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree camera system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard, helping prevent accidents in tight spaces. The NX even offers a novel "Digital Side View Monitor" system, which uses cameras mounted on the side mirrors to provide a live feed of the surrounding area, virtually eliminating blind spots.

Driving Dynamics:

On the road, the 2024 Lexus NX impresses with its smooth and refined driving dynamics. The base model is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, generating 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, which can be operated using paddle shifters when desired. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available on higher trims. The F Sport variant gets a more potent 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, good for 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Regardless of the powertrain choice, the NX handles beautifully, with minimal body roll and quick turn-in response. The steering is precise and well-weighted, making the NX enjoyable to pilot on winding roads.

The 2024 Lexus NX fuel economy ratings are as follows:

• Base 2.0-liter turbocharged engine (front-wheel drive):
  • City: 22 miles per gallon (mpg)
  • Highway: 28 mpg
  • Combined: 25 mpg
• Base 2.0-liter turbocharged engine (all-wheel drive):
  • City: 21 mpg
  • Highway: 27 mpg
  • Combined: 24 mpg
• F Sport 2.0-liter turbocharged engine (all-wheel drive):
  • City: 20 mpg
  • Highway: 26 mpg
  • Combined: 23 mpg

It's worth noting that these estimates are based on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing and are subject to change based on various factors, such as driving conditions, driver behavior, and maintenance of the vehicle.