The 2022 Lexus NX Just Got a Plug-in Hybrid Option
The Lexus NX has a history of being one of the most luxurious and sporty crossovers on the market. Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota, has produced quality vehicles for decades, pleasing consumers worldwide. The renowned automaker has made a name for itself by keeping its brand and vehicles at the pinnacle of new technology and innovation. The 2022 Lexus NX’s shift to a plug-in hybrid option is no shock as the automaker enters one of the most sought out crossovers into the race to reduce emissions.
A new era for the Lexus NX
The decades to come will undoubtedly usher in a new era for hybrid and electric vehicles. Carbon emissions are no longer something automakers can ignore, and the race to stand atop the mountain of safer alternatives has become increasingly competitive. The 2021 Lexus NX ranked No. 1 on a top 10 list of best luxury SUVs consumers can purchase in 2021.
Lexus has announced that the company’s next big chess move is to have the next iteration of the wildly popular luxury SUV feature a plug-in hybrid option to reduce carbon emissions. What’s even more exciting is, this is far from the only update Lexus has given the new and improved 2022 Lexus NX. The luxury SUV is set to pave the way for a new generation of vehicles from the company.
The 2022 Lexus NX: a shocking revelation
The inclusion of a hybrid option is cool, but Lexus has more tricks up its sleeve. The 2022 Lexus NX is a complete redesign from the 2015 iteration and its later variations. For starters, this monster of a luxury SUV sports a larger body, showing that just because it comes in a plug-in hybrid model does not mean it is to be trifled with. There are also four brand new powertrain options for this model year. According to MotorTrend, the new options will be the NX250, NX350, NX350h hybrid, and NX450h+ plug-in hybrid.
The 2022 NX250 will make 203 hp using the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as the Toyota RAV4. The NX350 uses a new and exclusive turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder that dishes out 275 hp. This is a decent upgrade from the 2021 model’s 235 hp. To top it off, all NX350s include an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. As exciting as this all sounds, what can the hybrid models do?
A step towards the future
The people have spoken, and Lexus has listened with open ears. Though the 2021 Lexus NX was favored so highly among luxury SUVs, something was still missing. Lexus has decided to let the 2022 Lexus NX join in on the fun as plug-in stations and EV tech have transitioned from novel to normal. The NX450+ plug-in hybrid does more than just attend the party. It has kicked in the door to make its entrance. This innovation makes a whopping 302 hp.
With a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.0 seconds, chances are consumers will not be hearing any hybrid jokes despite the quietness of the electric motor. The Lexus NX450+ plug-in hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine but can run up to 36 miles on electricity. The NX450+ also comes in an F Sport kit option. The success of this plug-in hybrid could signal a big shift for Lexus’s luxury SUVs. Is the world ready for a Lexus plug-in hybrid that out-performs gas models?
The evolution of the Lexus NX
The NX has come a long way from Lexus’s 2015 model. The 2022 NX introduces large character lines on the hood and a new, wider spindle grille up front giving it the look of a mean machine. In addition, slimmer headlights give the new NX an even sleeker look, deviating from the chunkier headlights used in previous models.
The new 2022 Lexus NX includes the “Lexus Interface” a new system that replaces the Lexus Remote Touch Interface. It comes with an optional 14-inch touchscreen infotainment screen that is cloud-based. Google Maps is integrated for navigation, and both Amazon Music and Apple Music come pre-installed.
The 2022 Lexus NX is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple Carplay wirelessly. This new NX comes with all the tech one could hope for in a luxury SUV and still delivers on the performance end. With a more spacious interior cabin, a better-looking exterior, and more technological advancements, the SUV has made improvements all around.
The NX 450h plug-in hybrid is the model consumers are drooling over. It boasts the top performance specs of all the 2022 NX models and rivals SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 Prime. If any automaker can successfully make hybrids cool and ease the transition from gas to electric in the coming years, it’s Lexus.
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