2022 Lexus NX 300: New Lexus NX Redesign, Specs, Price and Release Date
2022 Lexus NX 300 Lexus, and parent company Toyota, are channeling significant resources into strengthening the brand’s already a sizeable lineup of SUVs. Last year, Toyota unveiled an updated version of the hugely successful RAV4, and at the end of this summer, the Lexus RX will be in showrooms.
But there’s more in the SUV pipeline. Selling an average of 58,000 units annually in the US since its debut in 2014, the next-generation Lexus NX will be a full-scale redesign scheduled to arrive in 2022.
Expected to use the same Global Architecture-K platform as the new RAV4 and RX, the second-generation NX will use a 106-inch wheelbase, similar to the RAV4. According to a report in Japan’s best-selling magazine Best Car, the NX will end up 1.5 inches longer than the RAV4 and 3.5 inches shorter than the RX. And yes, it will feature a new, bolder interpretation of Lexus’ signature and controversial spindle grille.
2022 Lexus NX 300 News
The current first-generation Lexus NX has been largely unchanged since its debut in 2015. The new generation is expected in 2022 and we’ve just received the first few details of what to expect. According to the Japanese-language site Best Car, the second-generation NX will share the same global TNGA-K platform as the best-selling Toyota RAV4 and recently unveiled the Toyota Venza.
According to the report, the new NX will be about 30 mm longer than the RAV4 and 90 mm shorter than the Venza. It will also be the wider of the two by about 15 mm and 30 mm lower in height than the Venza. Imagine the NX 2022 as a lower, wider Venza with a slimmer, coupe-like silhouette shown in the included renderings. And yes, the large spindle front grille remains, although the design continues to evolve with a slightly firmer appearance.
Under the hood, there will be another familiar sight from the Venza: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors for a total output of 219 horsepower. We still don’t have an official torque rating. Expect the same CVT gearbox to transmit that power to an electronic on-demand all-wheel-drive system.
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But unlike the Venza (at least for now), the next NX will also receive an optional and more powerful engine, as well as soon to be launched a 2.4-liter turbo-four capable of producing around 300 hp and higher than 325 lb-ft. torque.
Assuming the latter’s engine occurs, the new NX will offer significantly more power than its two main rivals, particularly the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, both with a maximum power of 228 hp and 258 lb-ft. Maybe the optional Lexus NX 2022 engine will finally convince Audi to bring a more powerful SQ3 or even RS Q3 in the United States.
In general, the next-generation Lexus NX will be a much better and more powerful compact crossover than the vehicle it will replace. As usual with the new Lexus, Lexus will also come with a lot of comfort technology such as the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and various driver-assist safety features.
Full disclosure is still months away, but it will probably happen no later than next spring.
2022 Lexus NX 300 Redesign
The Lexus NX is expected to receive a further redesign in 2021 or 2022. Given that the Toyota RAV4 is being brought to the car’s TNGA platform for 2019, we think the NX may follow suit sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, the next-generation NX spy photo and initial specs and price are not yet available.
First introduced in 2015 as the NX 200t, it was a huge success as the brand’s smallest crossover at the time. However, like the IS sedan, the NX was renamed the NX 300 for 2018 to streamline the brand lineup. The underlying style of the vehicle and the choice of the engine remain changing.
Even so, several price cuts on the NX 300h for 2018 help make the hybrid an attractive upgrade over the turbo. Currently, the hybrid costs only $ 1,000 more than a similarly equipped all-wheel-drive NX gas. Because of this, competitors such as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 will soon be offering plug-in hybrid options.
2022 Lexus NX 300 Engine
The NX will also be equipped with the powertrain offered on the RAV4 and RX. The engine includes a new 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid (PHV) that was added to last year’s RAV4 lineup. This PHV setup delivers 302-hp and sprints from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds, making it the strongest RAV4 ever.
Equipped with the new NX, this powertrain will deliver identical power and acceleration times and allow up to 39 miles of pure electric range from its lithium-ion battery pack.
If you want something a little stronger, Lexus also plans to offer a newly developed 2.4-liter turbo-driven variant that promises 300-hp and 325 lb-ft of power or torque, and 0-60mph acceleration time in mid-5s.
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Helping to lower power is the Toyota E-Four 4WD, an on-demand system where the front wheels are driven by a hybrid powertrain while the rear wheels are powered by a special electric motor.
Will NX follow with a plug-in variant? While Toyota has been slow to embrace fully electric cars, the RAV4 Prime 2021 will have 302 hp and a range of up to 39 miles. Given the popularity of the NX, we think it’s very likely that similar technology could arrive at some point in the future.
The current NX continues to be offered with either a 235 hp 2-liter turbo or 2.5-liter hybrid rated at 194 hp. The hybrid is only equipped with an all-wheel-drive and delivers up to 31 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Interestingly, that’s considerably lower than the 40 mpg rating of the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
2022 Lexus NX 300 Interior
In the cockpit, drivers can expect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, paddle shifters, leather seats, trim and steering wheel, a 12-inch infotainment system, and wireless smartphone charging. The rear seat space and facilities will also be upgraded.
To bring this brand in line with its competitors, over the next few years, Toyota and Lexus will extend their battery warranty up to 10 years or 150,000 miles across the range.
2022 Lexus NX 300 Price and Release Date
Adding more power and taking into account the lack of rear-seat comfort, the next generation NX plug-in hybrid will hit the market for a little over $ 40,000, giving it an edge over the Infiniti QX50, while the enhancements, increased power and infotainment will make Lexus a better buy more economical than the fiercely competitive BMW X3.
As for the release schedule, there is no confirmation yet and official information from Lexus, we will continue to monitor and update on this website.
