Earth Day 2021 Special: Lexus NX300h Hybrid SUV Review, Know How Does It Fare In The Real World

The NX is a crossover SUV and roughly the size of the average midsize SUV. It is not big but is rather perfectly sized for our cramped urban environment-plus entering small lanes and rural roads as we found out later.

The debate rages on whether EVs are the best solution or hybrids but the answer need not be black and white since both can co-exist. Hybrids take assistance from a petrol engine which means you can coast along in silence at slow speeds, while at higher speeds, the petrol engine takes over.

With that, you can drive long distances with ease and with no range anxiety. But how good is a hybrid in the real world?

We took the only hybrid SUV for a long drive of about 500kms to find out.

Currently, only Toyota and Lexus offer hybrid options with the NX being the most accessible SUV in the Lexus range. While not cheap at Rs 60 odd lakh, the hybrid powertrain does give it a unique personality.

The NX is a crossover SUV and roughly the size of the average midsize SUV. It is not big but is rather perfectly sized for our cramped urban environment-plus entering small lanes and rural roads as we found out later. It does get a lot of attention and we think the sheer quality of its paint finish to the cabin features resembles a car costing a lot more than its actual price tag.

The heart of the matter though and the talking point of any hybrid is the electric motor, in combination with the petrol engine.

In this case, it is a 2.5-litre petrol engine along with a roughly 143hp electric motor. The combined output is 197hp. The NX gets an all-wheel-drive plus a complex eCVT gearbox. However, in the real world, the NX starts off with quietness as it goes about its business in EV mode. Soon, the petrol engine seamlessly joins in but overall this is one calm SUV with its main aim being to lower your pulse rate.

At low speeds, the driving experience is relaxed and as easy as it can be. There are three modes on offer but we chose eco mode and here the car was quick enough along with being efficient. Speaking of which we got 14/16kmpl during our drive while the official figure is 18kmpl plus. Other than a diesel, we cannot think of even petrol compact SUVs managing this figure.

That is perhaps the biggest USP of a hybrid along with being effortless and quiet. The mileage you get is more than conventional petrol-only cars plus it is cleaner/kinder to the environment.

The transition or changes from EV to hybrid is shown via the instrument cluster but without that you really have no idea. Only when you push the car, does the engine make some noise but as mentioned earlier, you do not really need to do this.

 

So yes, the NX is an interesting SUV and manages to stand out from the crowd to its styling and its hybrid set-up. It is not cheap but shows how frugal and effortless a hybrid powertrain is.

It is a shame that we do not get multiple hybrid options in India since there would be takers. Electric mobility is indeed coming at a fast pace, but a hybrid is an important stepping stone before that.

What we like: Quality, design, features, efficiency, refinement.

What we do not like: CVT gearbox, small boot space.

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