Drive Notes: 2024 Lexus NX 350h Luxury AWD
I am bringing back Drive Notes, a little mini-review of vehicles I had in my garage. We tried it last year and for reasons I don't recall moved away from it. Let's see how it goes this time around. Don't worry, a full review of most vehicles featured here will come later.
Up today: The 2024 Lexus NX 350h Luxury.
I used to think the NX was fun to drive but a bit undercooked. Finally it seems Lexus left it the oven long enough. This is a carryover model but it's been a while since I piloted any type of NX. This hybrid -- 2.5-liter four-banger mixed with two electric motors and a third, rear-mounted electric motor that is used for the all-wheel drive system -- feels more mature than the last NX I drove. That one was not a hybrid but a regular internal-combustion engine model.
Here's my pros and cons.
Pros
- I continue to dig the new Toyota/Lexus infotainment systems, and this one is integrated well into the center stack. The touchscreen reacted quickly and was easy to read. I also liked the head-up display.
- Lexus continues to set the standard for quiet interiors.
- I generally liked the well-weighted steering, and found it sporty in feel when the Sport drive mode was selected, but it did at times feel artificial and too heavy. Call this a pro and con.
- The stereo kicks ass.
- Handling in Normal and Sport modes is sporty enough and the ride isn't sacrificed.
Cons
- The cost is way too much, even for a Lexus, at nearly $50K to start and nearly $60K optioned out.
- That grille, though.
- I never could get the seating position right.
- There's no need for push-button door releases other than they're cool.
- Same goes for the odd shifter.
- I struggled to get my sunglasses -- which are normal size -- into the sunglass holder.
Early Returns: The grown-up NX earns consideration but the price makes one blanche.
[Images © 2024 Tim Healey/TTAC]
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Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
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I made the mistake of buying a ford F150 because it was better equipped and was cheaper than the Toyota Tundra that I originally wanted but didn’t because it cost more. That ford was the biggest POS vehicle I have ever owned. And ended trading it on the a Tundra in the end. Lesson I learned is better equipped and cheaper in price doesn’t always mean better in the end. I wouldn’t buy a Hyundai or Kia over a Lexus.
Problem with killed in action is that I'd have to step foot in a killed in action dealership.