2017 Lexus NX300h: 5 things you need to know

Lexus’s mid-size SUV crossover, the NX300h, looks edgy and sharp and is one car that you know will stand out in the crowd. And to boot, it is luxurious, well-equipped, refined, comfortable and very competitively priced. Get yourself up-to-date on this head turner with our comprehensive 5-things-you-need-to-know list:

1. It’s got a hybrid powertrain:

The NX300h is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor with a combined output of 197hp at 5,700rpm and 210Nm at 4,200-4,400rpm. Power is sent to all four wheels via an e-CVT gearbox. The NX300h also gets regenerative braking..

2. There are two versions on offer:

The NX300h is available in two versions – Luxury and F-Sport, each with their own persona. The Luxury variant is the more affordable of the two versions but gets some exclusive comfort features such as seat ventilation and electric recline adjustment for the rear seats. The F-Sport variant, on the other hand, is the pick for the sportier driver and to that end, gets paddle-shifters, aluminium pedals and an engine sound generator, a system that pumps a throaty engine soundtrack from the sound system to artificially enhance the soundtrack.

3. There is loads of kit:

The NX300h, apart from the trim differences mentioned above, comes loaded with a lot of kit as standard: LED lights; electric folding and adjustable exterior mirrors with memory and heaters; panoramic glass roof; 18-inch alloy wheels; eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with memory; electric tailgate with kick-sensor; 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system; 360-degree camera; heads-up isplay; and safety features such as 8 airbags and vehicle stability control.

4. It promises to be very fuel-efficient:

The NX300h promises to be really fuel efficient as far as luxury SUVs go; it’s certified with an ARAI-tested fuel economy of 18.32kpl. The impressive fuel economy is all thanks to the hybrid powertrain. And what makes the fuel economy figure all the more impressive is that the NX300h is no lightweight, tipping the scales at a portly 1.9 tonnes..

5. At Rs. 53.18-55.58 lakh, it is actually good value for money:

The Luxury variant of the NX300h is priced at Rs. 53.18 lakh while the F-Sport variant is priced at Rs. 55.58 lakh, prices that are quite competitive, especially when you take into account the fact that the NX300h is fully imported. Its rivals (top-spec variants) are priced as follows: BMW X3 (Rs 54.00 lakh), Mercedes GLC (Rs 51.73 lakh), Volvo XC60 (Rs. 55.9 lakh) and Land Rover Discovery Sport (Rs 55.47 lakh) (all prices, ex-showroom India).