Five things you need to know about the Lexus NX 300h

First introduced in 2014, the Lexus NX is relatively a new product in the company’s portfolio. It was developed taking into account the rapidly growing demand for mid-size crossovers. To be launched here on 17 November, the Lexus NX 300h will be positioned below the RX450h. Here are five things you need to know about the Lexus NX 300h –

Platform
The Lexus NX is built on an aluminium and steel monocoque shell with a transversely mounted engine. It rides on a MacPherson struts setup up front and double wishbone setup at the rear. The Lexus NX shares this platform with the Toyota RAV4, although it gets revised suspension and brake setup to give it a sportier character.

Design
Despite sharing platform with a Toyota, the completely different styling gives the Lexus NX a unique identity. The styling and the interior have a premium feel to it that is a trademark for the Lexus brand. The front gets a smoked chrome grille and triple projector headlamps, cues borrowed from the Lexus LC. Even the rest of the body features aggressive cues to give it a sporty appeal. The 18-inch wheels are offered as standard.

Interior
A big chunk of any Lexus’ premium appeal comes through its luxurious interior, and the NX is no different. The slashes of wood and metal on the dashboard and the liberal use of leather give it an opulent feel. It is loaded with creature comforts like a dual-zone climate control, ventilated seats, a head-up display, 360 degree camera, a 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and touchpad-operated infotainment system. Besides, there are also a bunch of optional extras to choose from.

Hybrid drivetrain
The Lexus NX will be available in a single engine option - a 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid, which is shared with the ES 300h sedan. Both the petrol engine and the electric motor can power the NX 300h independently, or the power from both units can be combined. The combined output of the NX 300h is 195bhp and 206Nm of torque. Power goes to all four wheels through a CVT transmission.

Safety
The Lexus NX has scored a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, making it one of the safest crossovers that you can buy. It gets a slew of safety features like electronic stability control, ABS, traction control, pre-collision system, lane keep assist and departure warning, low tyre pressure warning, dual stage airbags for driver and front passenger and curtain airbags for both rows. It also gets radar-based safety systems in global markets, although these might not make it to the India-spec model due to regulations.