Hybrid's sake

The Lexus NX is now in its second generation, but has emerged as one of the best-selling Lexus cars of all time. This new car has not just grown in dimension but it’s also got a significantly improved powertrain and a fresh new cabin

- Dipayan Dutta

The second generation of the NX is still instantly recognizable through its form. The signature Lexus design language grabs your attention through that massive spindle grille at the front. Look closer though, and you will realise just how much has changed. The headlamps still follow the narrow angular design but have been reprofiled to a single unit on this new generation. The new boomerang DRLs are inset and add to the clean look at the front. The fog lamps too are housed in a sharp angular recess that almost looks like a lip on the front bumper.

Sharp design language is one thing, but it’s the exquisite shut lines on the metal of the new NX that really make the car look premium. The most eye-catching of them is the shoulder line that runs three-fourths the length of the car before splitting in two forming an arrow head of sorts on the rear door. Lexus also has two alloy designs on offer, the Exquisite and Luxury trims get grey tone wheels and the range-topping F-Sport gets blacked-out wheels. The angular theme continues onto the rear section as well, but there is the new tail-light that now runs across the body with an almost matte effect on the LED tail lamps. The badging now has the Lexus branding with spaced out letters along the rear instead of the brand logo. In all, the sharp angular symmetry of the Lexus will help it stand out in a market full of SUVs moving towards smoothened out edges.

Likes

Design, cabin & refinement

Dislikes

Bland performance