Lexus NX F-Sport: Simply not good enough

What is it?

Well at last Lexus has thrown its hat in the mid-SUV-ring with this, the NX. It's quite a striking thing and came with a lot attention at its launch, both locally and internationally. Good thing considering the competition it's up against; think BMW X5 or Audi Q5. So let's see how it stacks up.

On the outside

There's no doubting where the NX comes from. It's got true Lexus styling, even incorporating elements from the LFA supercar. So on the looks front it definitely wins unique-ness points.

They've kept the roof line quite low, and swooping. Mixed with the jagged front end, F-Sport styling trinkets and big alloys the NX gives off quite a sporting-sort-of-appeal.

Good start.

On the inside

Build quality is typically Lexus – again a good thing. The leather lined dash is a highlight, while the designers have brought the best exterior elements into the cabin making it an interesting place to sit. There's loads of kit too, as you'd expect from a Lexus, far outstripping anything the competition offers up as part of the purchase price.

There are however downsides. The touchpad control for the infotainment system takes some getting used to, and requires more eyes-on attention than you'd like from the driver's seat. The swooping roof line means rear occupants head room is limited; while overall practicality doesn't go beyond that of a mid-sized hatchback as space in the rear feels cramped and the boot offers surprisingly little in the way of luggage capacity.

Behind the wheel

The 2.0 litre turbo charged unit under the bonnet delivers an impressive 170kW and 350 torques. Power is delivered to all four wheels (sometimes) via a six speed automatic gearbox. Sounds like a good combo, right?

Unfortunately the gearbox is the weak point, being far less refined that it's German competition and less intelligent. This means you're up and down the gears all over the place, jerking as it kicks down for a bout of rapid acceleration, and generally feeling dim-witted in its responsiveness. Dare I say it feels a bit Toyota-like?

Then there's the ride which is way too firm in the F-Sport, which could be forgiven if the steering had any feel or if the chassis delivered any sporting pretences. But it doesn't. So the NX has a weird combination of not being sporty and not being comfortable. It's the worst of both worlds.

The on-demand all-wheel drive system, similar to that of the Toyota Rav4, also doesn't deliver what the rivals are capable of. Heading along a dirt road, which I understand most NX-owners are unlikely to ever attempt, causes more stresses than its worth. The big wheels crash over ruts sending tremors through the chassis, while the relatively low ground clearance of 175mm (a good 25mm less than the competition) means you're constantly worried of touching down. Even a Renault Sandero Stepway has more clearance, and that's an entry level hatchback with no SUV-pretences.

Verdict

This is a confusing offering from Lexus. On the upside it looks unique, offers plenty of kit and all at a reasonable price. The downsides however are vast; a compromised ride, limited practicality and relatively unsophisticated drivetrain don't help the Lexus NX when it's inevitably compared with its German rivals. The lack of a diesel derivative might also drive people elsewhere.

All-in-all I'm not sure I could overlook these issues in favour of standing out from the crowd.

2nd opinion: Unfortunately first impressions can definitely be deceiving. The Lexus NX looks incredibly impressive and I have to admit I was extremely excited as it rolled into the office parking lot. Aesthetically speaking the Lexus is an impressive beast, almost screaming "drive me". Unfortunately the driving experience is rather disappointing, as it's neither a comfortable nor a particularly fast one. Added to that the impracticality of the vehicle and you get a machine that only people who care about looking impressive rather than being impressive will buy. – Nick Hodgson

Price: R659,900
Engine: 1998cc four cylinder turbo charged petrol
Power (kW): 170
Torque (Nm): 350
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 7.1
Top speed (km/h): 200
Consumption (l/100km): 7.9 (claimed)
Service: 4 year/100,000km service plan