Australian specifications and pricing have been announced for the 2018 Lexus NX300 and NX300h. Headlining the changes are a refreshed exterior design, a new suspension tune, more standard safety equipment and the addition of a new F Sport front-wheel drive variant.
This updated range marks the end of the NX200t descriptors.
Lexus is sticking with three trim levels, Luxury, F Sport and Sport Luxury.
Exterior styling changes include a new look spindle grille with horizontal bars to bring the NX into line with the design language of the current RX and LX SUVs.
The F Sport variants are differentiated by a pronounced mesh grille with a new vertical interwoven pattern that draws links to the RX F Sport and RC F.
New 18-inch alloy wheel design for Sports Luxury models continue to offer the familiar Lexus look of bright machined and dark metallic finishes.
The exterior design changes have slightly increased the overall length by 10mm to 4640mm. Lexus has deployed a new shark-fin antenna that has increased the NX’s height by 15mm to 1645mm.
Power mirrors are now anti-glare and feature a reverse-linked tilt.
On the inside, the infotainment screen grows from 7 to 10.3-inches, Lexus claim this is now the largest in the class.
Under the sheet metal, Lexus has devised a new suspension calibration to improve stability, body control and ride comfort. Other changes include adjustments to the rear stabiliser bar and stabiliser-bar bushing, and new front dampers with reduced friction.
One of our criticisms of the outgoing entry model has been rectified with all 2018 models getting the Lexus Safety System+ as well as Blind Spot Monitor and Rear-Cross Traffic Alert.
The Lexus Safety System+ brings the Lexus Pre-Collision Safety System (PCS) including Autonomous Emergency Braking, All-Speed Active Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning+ with steering assist and a grade-dependent automatic high-beam system.
Drivetrains have been carried over for 2018, the NX300 starts with a turbocharged 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder engine, putting out 175kW and 350Nm and connected to a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
The NX300h continues with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with one (2WD) or two (AWD) electric motors capable of a total output of 147kW/210Nm. The hybrid is matched to a CVT.
2018 Lexus NX300 and NX300h pricing (excluding on-road costs):
NX300 Luxury - $54,800
NX300h Luxury - $57,300
NX300 Luxury AWD - $59,300
NX300h Luxury AWD - $61,800
NX300 F Sport - $60,800
NX300h F Sport - $63,300
NX300 F Sport AWD - $65,300
NX300h F Sport AWD - $67,800
NX300 Sport Luxury - $73,800
NX300h Sport Luxury - $76,300
Options:
Premium paint (all grades): $1,000
Enhancement packs (Luxury, F Sport):
Moonroof - $2,500
Moonroof, 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, head-up display, smart key card - $6,000.
More: All News
More: 2017 Lexus LC500h Review
More: 2018 Lexus LS
