The Lexus NX will celebrate its sixth
anniversary this year and the company has announced a series of changes for
2021. Starting with the exterior, the model is instantly recognizable as there
are no significant changes.
However, the 2021 NX has a new “low
profile wiper blade design” and newly standard power folding side mirrors with
auto-dimming and reverse tilt functions. The crossover also has an updated
color palette which adds Nori Green Pearl while dropping Blue Vortex Metallic.
Interior changes are also minor as buyers
will find a revised tachometer and a new horn pad. The updates are virtually
unnoticeable, but the 2021 NX does gain a newly standard blind spot monitoring
system with rear cross traffic alert. Other changes include an upgraded Mark
Levinson premium audio system and a revised navigation package which now
includes HomeLink.
Engine options carryover, so the standard
NX 300 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 235 hp and 349 Nm of torque. It is connected to a
six-speed automatic transmission which can be paired to an optional all-wheel
drive system.
This setup enables the crossover to
accelerate from 0-96 km/h in 7.2 seconds. With all-wheel drive, that
number drops to seven seconds flat. However, both a limited to a top speed of 200 km/h. Customers can also opt for the eco-friendly NX 300h. It has
a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system with three electric
motors. This setup gives the crossover all-wheel drive as well as a combined
output of 194 hp.
The dash to 96 km/h takes 9.1
seconds and the top speed is limited to 180 km/h. Both those figures
are worse than the NX 300, but the hybrid has an estimated fuel economy rating
of 33 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 31 mpg combined. For comparison, the
all-wheel NX 300 returns an estimated 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 mpg
combined.
