Love and fun in a Lexus NX
It was a great week for a driver like me.
Why?
A Lexus NX, that’s why.
The moment I laid my eyes on my test drive for the week it was love. The Lexus is an SUV that is so easy to learn to drive that I could not help but fall in love with it at once.
I waited for a short while at the Lexus showroom in BGC for the unit and once I sat in the driver’s seat, I knew that it was going to be a lovely week in the Lexus NX.
As soon as I made to my home in Pasig from BGC I got of the NX and gave it a good look. After all I didn’t want to ogle while I was at Lexus.
I was told by the people at the showroom that when the Lexus NX was first introduced globally in 2014, it offered crossover luxury vehicle exactly what they had long been looking for?a stylish and spacious compact with exciting driving dynamics and excellent fuel efficiency. But not even Lexus could have predicted its worldwide success, outperforming sales forecasts in its markets around the world.
For the refreshed Lexus NX I had that day I was told that Lexus continues with its tradition of keeping the momentum going with an updated model of the NX.
Excited I was as I drove the Lexus NX out of the showroom and out to the street on the hot afternoon. That’s because Lexus has become known for its high level craftsmanship through its takumi masters. This skill and attention to detail was evident in the NX with the revised needlework on the vehicle’s leather surfaces, which are stitched perfectly straight. This intricate pattern can only be executed with the help of hand-operated machinery equipped with special needles that are resistant to overheating and thread breakage.
“Even if it can’t be immediately seen, an acute attention to details, such as the way the stitching of materials create a subtle pattern, can be felt spiritually to make a difference to the customer. That is the essence of the takumi way that elevates the entire construction of a Lexus,” Takeaki Kato, the chief engineer of the NX was quoted as saying in the brochure that Lexus gave me.
It’s got the look
Added to the lovely interiors was Lexus muscular exteriors that got me in love. I liked how this version of the Lexus NX gave me the feeling of being locked secure in a muscle embrace. Having garnered universal praise for being one of the best-looking vehicles in its segment, Lexus designers thoroughly enhanced the design essence of the original NX model.
Easy to drive: Ther interiors of the Lexus NX
The entire front fascia of the new NX has been refreshed with the upper portion of the grille and the front bumpers redesigned to more fluidly blend into the hood and front doors. This results in a sleeker overall shape and excellent aerodynamics. The new NX’s headlamps come with triple projectors that are similar to those equipped on the LC, imparting the car with a sportier look. Also of note are the satin and smoked chrome trim pieces applied to the grille, in addition to new vertical elements added to the grille’s inner portion.
The rear end of the new NX has also received styling touches to help match the sportiness of the front. The lower rear bumper cover now involves elements of the grille’s spindle motif, and has been broadened to enhance the vehicle’s wide stance and low-center-of-gravity look. In addition, the NX’s revised taillights have been elongated, and the black garnish has been revised to better emphasize the “L”-shaped lenses. The new NX also features larger chrome-tipped exhaust tips that are integrated into the vehicle’s revised bumper cover design and new rear underbody spoiler.
Even inside I was safe
The interior of the new NX has been slightly reworked to exude a sportier nature, a more luxurious feel, and with enhanced control interfaces.
All the controls and switches inside the new NX, including the drive mode selector, shift knob and door handles, now have a metallic satin finish, enhancing the premium look and feel of the cabin. Making it an easy drive even specially for those who like a relaxed drive.
On the center console, the remote touch interface pad has been enlarged and redesigned for easier operation, and the palm rest has been reshaped for maximum wrist comfort. The wireless charger tray has also grown in size to accommodate larger smart phones. In addition, the USB ports have been more optimally positioned in the center console, and their amperage has been increased for faster charging. The analog clock features a cleaner, simpler design than before with an outer ring that’s more pronounced. It has also been slightly enlarged for better readability and now includes satellite control, which automatically adjusts the time in different time zones.
Lastly, but not the least, the new NX adds the convenience of a foot-operated rear hatch that can be used when the user’s hands or arms are full, such as when carrying goods.
“For the new NX, we made bold refinements to the design, elevated its performance, and added new features to enhance its comfort and convenience,” said Kato. “The new NX still possesses the same elements that have made it popular in the past—a sharp design, everyday convenience and driving pleasure that will satisfy all enthusiasts—but the vehicle as a whole has evolved dramatically, as you’re bound to see and feel when you first experience it.”
I was excited to take the Lexus for a spin to the countryside — so I changed my mind about spending that afternoon at home and opted to restart the car and heading to Tagaytay. That’s because this vehicle was definitely build for rough roading — yet keeping its driver cool and comfy inside.
I was not disappointed as I took this beauty to Tagaytay for a quick merienda of banana bread and more — cool wheels in the cool afternoon breeze of Tagaytay.
I could drive forever and a day in a luxury like the Lexus NX.
