After a 7-year sales cycle, Lexus NX ushered in a replacement, not only that, Lexus' new generation NX also became the brand's first model equipped with plug-in hybrid system.
Lexus' new generation of NX has been officially launched at the Guangzhou Auto Show last year, with a price range of 318,880-54.88 million yuan, and the new car provides a 2.5L fuel version, a 2.5L hybrid version and a 2.5L plug-in hybrid version.
To learn more about Lexus' new generation of NX, stop B search focus: Drive Brothers.
Although the new generation of NX adopts a new platform, its appearance and shape and the difference between the old model is not large, I believe that many people will see the model after seeing the model will have "is it really a replacement model?" " doubts.
The most obvious change in the new car is the interior, mainly the following two points:
1, the new generation of NX interior has been greatly changed, "TAZUNA reins" concept cockpit design is more driver-centric, intended to pursue the "human and horse integration" sense of control.
2, 7-inch full LCD instrument, 14-inch touch LCD screen plus HUD head-up display to greatly improve intelligence.
It is a little regrettable that the right side of the center console of the new generation NX is wrapped in a large area of soft plastic, and the sense of grade is slightly inferior. At the same time, the central control does not have the previous physical buttons, and lacks the exquisite sense of Lexus in the past.
Previously, we have also made a detailed interpretation of the appearance and interior of the new generation of NX, interested old irons may wish to click on the link below to review.
Read more
Guangzhou Auto Show 2021: Earth-shaking changes illustrate the new generation of Lexus NX
2021-11-19 Easy car
How to choose the configuration of the new generation of Lexus NX 10 models
2021-11-25 Easy car
Compared with the adjustment of the appearance and the improvement of the intelligent interior, I am more concerned about whether the new generation of NX has a new feeling in terms of power and driving control. To this end, I deliberately conducted a test drive of the new generation NX 350h and NX 400h+.
First of all, the powertrain, the new generation NX 260 is equipped with a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, the maximum power is 151kW/6000rpm, the peak torque is 241Nm/4300-4500rpm, matching the 8-speed manual transmission, using a front-facing front-drive layout.
The new generation NX 350h is divided into two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions, and the powertrain consists of a hybrid system consisting of a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine and an electric motor, of which the 2.5L engine outputs 141kW/6000rpm and the peak torque is 243Nm/4300-4500rpm.
The two-wheel drive version is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, with a maximum output of 134kW and 270Nm, the total maximum power of the whole system is 179kW, and the official acceleration time of 0-100km/h is 8.7 seconds.
The four-wheel drive version is equipped with two permanent magnet synchronous motors, one is directly connected to the engine, one is arranged in the rear axle, the total power of the two motors reaches 174kW, the total torque is 391Nm, the total maximum power of the whole system is also 179kW, and the official acceleration time of 0-100km/h is 7.7 seconds.
The new generation of NX400h+ plug-in hybrid models uses a plug-in hybrid system consisting of a 2.5L engine, an electric motor and a ternary lithium battery pack.
Among them, the 2.5L engine output is 136kW/6000rpm, the peak torque is 228Nm/3600-3700rpm; the motor output is 134kW and 270Nm, the comprehensive power of the whole system reaches 195kW, the drive layout is the front-facing front drive, and the official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.9 seconds.
In addition, the new generation of NX400h+ has a battery capacity of 18.1kWh and a pure electric cruising range of 76km.
What I test drove this time is the new generation of NX 350h 4WD Chuang Collar, its entire power output is quite abundant and linear, the power response is also very agile, there is a sense of immediate stepping, on-the-go, 179kW comprehensive power to promote 1.82 tons of car is more than enough.
At the same time, the total power of the front and rear motors of the new generation NX 350h four-wheel drive version reaches 174kW, which is consistent with the Highlander dual engine, which is 46kW higher than the 128kW electric motor of the Rongfang/Veranda dual-engine four-wheel drive version.
With the help of the motor, the new generation NX 350h has a more rapid acceleration performance, and at the same power, it is lighter than the Highlander equipped with the same hybrid system, so the push back feeling is stronger and smoother.
Therefore, whether it is the acceleration of the first section or the acceleration of the middle and rear sections to 120km/h, the power performance of the new generation of NX 350h four-wheel drive version will be lighter and more relaxed, and the whole power system can give the performance of the end full of energy.
The steering wheel of the new generation NX 350h is just the right size, and the tight, slightly heavier steering wheel feel also creates the character of a first-class model. At the same time, it is worth praising the performance of steering, very direct, precise, slightly moving the steering wheel can feel that the front wheel can immediately follow, there is a feeling that the car moves with people.
The throttle and braking power of the new generation NX 350h still maintains the characteristics of Lexus's heavy weight, and its braking force is stronger, which also gives me plenty of confidence.
In terms of chassis, although the new generation of NX 350h four-wheel drive band does not use the F SPORT version of the adjustable suspension, its suspension performance is also quite tight and flexible, the suspension can quickly rebound when passing through small speed bumps and bumpy roads, the body will not appear redundant bounce, and there is also a calm performance when driving at high speeds.
At the same time, the lateral support of the suspension is also relatively in place, and the roll amplitude of the body can be better controlled during rapid cornering or emergency line change, and the rear can quickly follow the dynamics of the front wheels.
In terms of tires, the new generation of NX 350h 4WD Chuangle is equipped with Bridgestone ALENZA 001 series explosion-proof tires with a size of 235/50R20, tire positioning is more comfortable and takes into account the grip performance of the wetland.
In terms of driver assistance, the new generation of NX series comes standard with the new generation of Lexus Intelligent Security System LSS+ 3.0, which improves the recognition of multiple traffic situations and driving scenarios by expanding the detection range of millimeter wave radar and monocular cameras.
In actual driving, its new PDA predictive active driver assistance system will actively and slightly control the brakes, and the brake action is more delicate and will not be easily detected, just like driving ACC adaptive cruise, making driving easier.
In terms of sound insulation, the new generation of NX350h uses double-layer sound insulation glass in the front row, but the rear glass is still single-layer. The sound insulation in the front of the cabin is good, and there will be a certain sense of isolation from outside noise, but it is still not particularly good.
The noise of this Atkinson cycle engine is still not effectively isolated during rapid acceleration, and the unpleasant engine sound will still be transmitted to the car, which affects the atmosphere of the luxury car to a certain extent. The rear row can also feel a certain amount of tire noise at high speed, but it is within the acceptable range.
Compared to the Lincoln Aviator I tested before, the new generation of NX350h will be slightly inferior in terms of tranquility, and for the 500,000-level price range, I think it should be able to improve a little.
As the first plug-in hybrid model of the Lexus brand, the comprehensive power of the new generation of NX400h+ plug-in hybrid version of the whole system reaches 195kW, which is 16kW higher than the 179kW comprehensive power of the NX350h four-wheel drive version, but the NX400h+ overall weight is also 120kg.
In terms of power output performance, the NX400h+ is very similar to the NX350h, both are abundant and smooth and linear, while the former's 0-100km/h acceleration time is only 0.2 seconds slower than the latter.
Thanks to the larger battery capacity, the official pure electric mileage of the NX400h+ is 76km, which also allows the engine to effectively reduce the starting time, so driving the NX400h+ can experience the quietness close to the pure electric model, and the comfort in the car will be better.
In terms of steering, the steering wheel of the NX400h+ is also heavily weighted, the direction is also more accurate, the rear wheel is very followable, the cornering is quite smooth, and there is a feeling of a sports car when driving. At the same time, the NX400h+ vehicle integration is good, even if the driving is intense, it will not feel the body twisting.
In terms of tires, the NX400h+ is equipped with Bridgestone ALENZA 001 series explosion-proof tires, with a size of 235/60R10, the tire flat ratio is large, the advantage is that it can better filter the vibration of the road surface, but the road sense is also reduced.
Written in the end: As a replacement model based on the TNGA architecture, the new generation of NX has become more powerful, the chassis texture and handling have been strengthened, and it is more convenient to drive.
However, in terms of interior materials, refinement and NVH, the interior of the new generation of NX does not show the luxury and grade of the 500,000 yuan level, and still has some room for improvement.
Overall, the product strength of the new generation of NX has been effectively improved, but compared with the similar price of Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3 and Audi Q5L, the new generation of NX is still facing a lot of pressure.
To learn more about Lexus' new generation of NX, stop B search focus: Drive Brothers. Also remember to pay attention to my easy car number: Xian Yezhan, I will bring more new generation NX related content in the future.