2016 Lexus NX 200t F Sport with 2017 Update Review by Carey Russ

The compact luxury crossover with panache

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS

                • SEE ALSO: Lexus Research and Buyers Guide

2016 Lexus NX 200t Sport

Lexus' RX owns the midsize luxury crossover SUV class, and pretty much has since its release for 1998. But in recent years, smaller luxury crossovers have gotten increasingly popular. So what was Lexus to do?

Its own compact luxury crossover, of course. So model year 2015 saw the debut of the NX 200t. With Lexus being Toyota’s luxury brand, one would expect the NX to be a RAV4 in a fancy suit. One would be only partially correct — the NX uses some RAV4 structural bits, but much of its unibody structure, all of its exterior and interior styling, and its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine are unique. That engine is the first Lexus turbo, and Toyota’s first factory turbo since the early 1990s. Its 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque beat the 176 and 172, respectively, of the RAV4’s 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four — and with minimal fuel consumption penalty. The NX 300h hybrid debuted at the same time as the 200t, with a modified version of the RAV4’s 2.5-liter engine plus electric motor-generators and control electronics. That powertrain has found its way into the RAV4 Hybrid.

At debut, all NX variations were offered in both front- and all-wheel drive form. And a sportier F Sport version of the NX 200t was available, with interior and exterior sport-style upgrades plus a firmer, more responsive suspension tuning. Changes for the 2016 model year were limited to different color choices and option package contents. Ditto for 2017 for the NX 200t, although it does get Scout® GPS Link and new wheels. The front-wheel drive variant of the NX 300h has been dropped.

This week’s test car is a 2016 front-wheel drive NX 200t F Sport. Not 2017? No difference, see above. Not brand new, but with 7500 journalist miles on the clock. That’s not as rough as taxicab duty, but likely harder use than your own car would get. No worries here, it was a smooth, quiet, and problem-free as expected from a Lexus. Plus quick when needed, and with a surprisingly low thirst for premium unleaded — a fraction over 24 mpg for the week, and I was not trying for best mileage. I saw 23 from an AWD RAV4. I wouldn’t call this F Sport “sports”, but “sport-touring” works, with emphasis on the touring — and no need to pack light, with good rear-seat and cargo room. Plus towing ability of 2,000 pounds, meaning a small camping trailer, motorcycle trailer, or boat. Sport-touring plus utility, in luxury with all the conveniences and connectivity. Sounds like a Lexus to me.

APPEARANCE: It’s definitely a Lexus, with the angular lines, big, bold spindle grille, and L-shaped LED running lights under the LED headlights. The F Sport’s grille is black mesh, trimmed in chrome, and flatter in profile to the regular NX’s horizontally-slatted counterpart. The F Sport also gets a metallic-look front splitter — but fear not, clearance is still good. This is a crossover, not a sports car. At the rear, the shape of the C-pillar establishes the NX’s relationship to the larger RX. Protruding taillights are the only vague similarity to the RAV4, but here the shape is very different and they’re trimmed in gloss black. Textured black cladding surrounds the lower perimeter. Chrome is used for part of the grille frame, around the side windows and for the roof rails, and as trim on the (gloss black) outside mirrors and across the tailgate for a luxury look. At the rear, the F Sport’s lower bumper fascia has more of an aero venturi look than the regular NX’s. A plastic undertray at the front is all about aerodynamics, not a skid plate.

2016 Lexus NX 200t Sport

COMFORT: Lexus luxury and comfort, size small but not too small. When it’s dark out, small LEDs illuminate the door handle pockets and the ground as you approach with the fob handy. Once inside, styling is more sports car than sport-utility, especially in the F Sport, with its highly-bolstered front sports seats. They’re power-adjustable, of course, with a high level of comfort and support. NuLuxe leatherette is standard and feels more like leather than some leathers. The F Sport Premium option package adds front seat cushion heating, a power tilt-and-slide moonroof, and power steering wheel adjustment. A heated steering wheel rim is also available, and was fitted to my test car. Ahhh, warm decadence on a cool Fall morning. Instruments are brightly-lit, and both the instrument panel and windshield are free from glare. A 4.2-inch TFT LCD display between the speedometer and tachometer displays useful information, controlled by switches on the steering wheel. Which also has audio, phone, and information controls, with lights, wipers, and cruise control on steering column stalks. With the Navigation Package, main cabin electronic systems are controlled by the Remote Touch Interface touchpad on the console. It has a handy wrist pad, with a removable panel behind that giving access to a small storage space - and a possibly useful mirror on the bottom of that panel. Ah, space efficiency! Audio choices are all current — AM, FM, and Sirius/XM radio, plus CD, USB, jack, and Bluetooth streaming. Siri® Eyes Free Mode is compatible with some iPhone models for phone, navigtion, and music. A Qi-compatible inductive charger is optional, fitted into the console box.

The rear bench seat is contoured for outboard positions, with a 60/40 split back with some back angle adjustment. Optionally, it can be power-operated, although not in this example. A nearly-flat floor and minimal cushion contouring mean the center position is useful, at least for someone not too large. There is a cover over the cargo area, and more storage and a space-saver spare tire under its floor. An optional power tailgate adds convenience.

SAFETY: A well-designed and sturdy unibody structure, with high-tensile steel in key areas, forms the basis of the NX’s safety systems. Whiplash-lessening front seats and eight airbags add further protection. Lane-Departure Alert, the Pre-Collision System, and blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring systems add further safety. Strong four-wheel disc brakes and good steering and suspension response improve active safety.

RIDE AND HANDLING: The F Sport’s fully-independent MacPherson strut/ trailing link double wishbone suspension is tuned a bit more firmly than that of the regular NX 200t, but it’s hardly sports-car firm. And crossover height and high center of gravity magnify body roll. So sporty, not sports, and that shouldn’t be a concern for anyone interested. It’s a Lexus, so there is plenty of soundproofing and attention to detail for a quiet, comfortable, relaxing ride. Steering is electrically-assisted but not overly so, for good control. The different drive modes — Eco, Normal, and Sport — vary the assist, although not by a large amount. In front-wheel drive form, torque steer is nearly un-noticeable, except under foot-to-the-floor acceleration, when a slight tug is felt through the steering wheel. Not bad, considering the torque involved.

PERFORMANCE: The thinking behind the current generation of turbo engines is “V6 power with four-cylinder fuel economy”. Which does not always hold true. Here, it does. The 2.0-liter powerplant was designed for turbo use, and utilizes all of Lexus’s current engineering technology to produce efficient power. Dual Variable Valve Timing With Intelligence not only does the usual cam phasing and valve lift management, it allows the engine to run under the efficient Atkinson cycle at steady throttle, as on the highway, to improve gas mileage. Need power, now? Back to the conventional Otto cycle in a flash. The exhaust system places the twin-scroll turbocharger close for reduced lag, and an intercooler further improves power and efficiency. There is occasional lag, usually when cruising in normal mode and suddenly accelerating. It’s more due to being in as high a gear as possible (efficiency!) than the fault of the turbo. Maximum horsepower is 235, between 4800 and 5600 rpm. Maximum torque, more immediately useful, is 258 lb-ft, between 1650 and 4000 rpm. This is not a high-revving engine, all the better for durability. As in other Lexuses, it uses both direct and port fuel injection to get the benefits of both systems. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts well in default mode. If greater economy is desired, try Eco mode. More performance? Sport. Even more? Move the shift lever to manual and use the paddles or the lever. The NX 200t feels reasonably quick in D. Manually, using higher revs, it’s quite sprightly for a small luxury crossover, with 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. No problem merging, even on a short ramp. And excellent four-wheel disc brakes stop it quickly and surely.

CONCLUSIONS: Lexus enters the compact luxury crossover fray with panache and the NX 200t.

SPECIFICATIONS

2016 Lexus NX 200t F Sport

Base Price $ 36,965 (2017: $ 37,185)

Price As Tested $ 43,965

Engine Type DOHC 16-valve turbocharged and intercooled aluminum alloy inline 4-cylinder with direct and port fuel injection and variable cam control

Engine Size 2.0 liters / 122 cu. in.

Horsepower 235 @ 4800-5600 rpm

Torque (lb-ft) 258 @ 1650-4000 rpm

Transmission 6-speed multi-mode automatic

Wheelbase / Length 104.7 in. / 182.3 in.

Curb Weight 3940 lbs.

Pounds Per Horsepower 16.8

Fuel Capacity 15.9 gal.

Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline

Tires 235/55 R18 100V Bridgestone Dueler H/L

Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc

Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut / independent trailing arm double-wishbone

Ground Clearance 6.9 inches

Drivetrain transverse front engine, front-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE

EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 22 / 28 / 24

0 to 60 mph 7.2 sec

Towing Capacity 2,000 lbs.

OPTIONS AND CHARGES

Qi-compatible wireless charger $ 220

Electrochromic auto-dimming inside rear-view mirror and Lexus Homelink garage-door opener $ 125

18-inch F Sport wheels with summer tires $ 75

Navigation Package — includes: Remote Touch Interface, Lexus Enform Remote, Lexus Enform Destination (1-year trial subscription), App Suite, 10-speaker Lexus Premium sound system $ 1,875

Electrochromic auto-dimming outside mirrors with Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, reverse tilt, heat, and position memory $ 660

Intuitive Park Assist with Clearance and Back Sonar $ 500

Power tailgate $ 400

Premium F Sport Package — includes: heated front seats, tilt and slide moonroof, memory power tilt and telescope steering column, power 10-way driver seat with lumbar support $ 2045

Heated perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters $ 150

Delivery Charge $ 950