
While Lexus’s RX 350 is their top-selling midsize AWD SUV, their downsized RX 350 is their compact luxury AWD SUV. And in the F Sport model that we tested, it’s a sporty ride where the F could stand for Fast.
NX is offered in NX 250, NX 250 Premium, NX 250 AWD, NX 350 AWD, NX 350 AWD Premium, NX 350 AWD Luxury, NX 350 AWD F Sport (we tested) NX 350h (hybrid), NX 350h Premium, NX 350h Luxury, NX 450h Plus Luxury, and NX 450 Plus, F Sport Handling and Plug-In Hybrid. Quite a choice.
The F Sport Handling sets itself apart from the others in that it has an Active Variable Suspension with front and rear performance dampers. This means it can be tossed in the turns and it remains planted with superb handling dynamics.
NX 350F has an exceptional ride on tall Bridgestone 20-inch tires that grip the road with the utmost of adhesiveness. Despite the sporty suspension, road imperfections are mere ripples that don’t disturb the occupants. And it’s a quiet ride.
With its short wheelbase, NX 350F has a tight 19-foot curb-curb turning radius for easy parking. And with 8.07 inches of ground clearance, NX can handle modest snow depths.
The NX 350F shares the same exterior style with other Lexus family members, so there’s no mistaken the bold, expansive grille while the back end sports a full-width taillight bar. All traditional Lexus traits.
In the cockpit, that has a low 18.5-inch step-in, it’s upscale and very comfortable. Heated/cooled and nicely supportive F Sport front seats hug the torso every so securely.
Blended into the dash is a vivid 14-inch touchscreen that serves the gamut of Mark Levinson audio, HVAC selections, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, Wi-Fi, Amazon music, drive modes and a digital assistant with some voice commands plus rearview, front and rotating view camera systems.
A digital gauge cluster shows a host of functions and alerts through its embedded driver information display (aside from speed and gear selections). There’s also an adjustable heads-up display.
And speaking of digital, NX 350F had a dual conventional and digital rearview mirror. In digital mode it shows a wide-angle view that doesn’t show headrests, tall folks or the rear pillars. The view takes some getting used to.
The NX 350F has unique door handles. To open the doors from inside the cabin, merely press inward on the flat handles and the doors release slightly. That too, took some getting used to as its customary to pull on handles.
Included is a wireless phone charger pad that slides backward to expose a small, 3-inch deep bin. Pretty nifty idea and design.
NX 350F comes with a rotary mode selector for Eco, Sport, Sport Plus (for extra zip), Normal and Custom modes. Selections then display on the infotainment display.
Back in the comfy and heated rear seats, they can accommodate two adults or three youngsters as the transaxle hump is low. Leg room is adequate for short-legged passengers and even less if the front seats are racked well rearward. Headroom thought is good.
When carrying packages, a hands-free tailgate is a helpful feature. The cargo area within is spacious. With the rear seats upright, there’s 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 37.5 inches deep, 40 wide and 29 high. Flip the rear seatbacks and space increases to 46.9 cubic feet for 70 inches of cargo loading depth. A low 30-inch lift-over makes loading bulky items easier.
Powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that generates 275-hp and 317 lb/ft of torque, and when coupled to the standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the little four moves the NX 350F with gusto. There’s certainly no want for power. It’s even more potent in Sport Plus mode that holds shift points longer and the paddle shifters add extra athleticism. The combination results in EPA mileage estimates of 21 city, 28-highway mpg and is capable of towing up to 2,000 pounds.
My NX 350F test car came exceptionally equipped with a long list of safety features such as Lexus’ System 3.0 w/Lane Tracing Assist; pre-collision system w/pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control w/curve speed management, lane departure alert w/steering assist, blind spot monitor and many more.
On the options side, the base price of $49,185 increased with the following options consisting of Advanced Park (parks itself $250), front cross traffic alert/lane change assist ($270), F Sport Handling Luxury package that adds the 14-inch touchscreen, Cloud navigation, triple beam LED headlights and more ($2,865), Mark Levinson audio ($1,020), premium paint ($595), panoramic glass roof ($1,600), wireless phone charger ($75), side puddle lamps ($175), and delivery of $1,175 took the bottom line to $58,010.00
While the RX 350 is the top seller, I’ve been seeing a lot of NX’s on the road of late. The NX 350 has similar traits of the RX at a more affordable price.
Add to its attractiveness, the NX 350F AWD has received favorable government crash ratings of four out of a full five stars for driver/passenger frontal crash, and five stars for front/rear seat side crash. Rollover was not tested.
With this added incentive, the NX 350 F Sport will appease and please new car buyers especially since Lexus vehicles have been known for quality build and reliability. A testament to this is that my wife has a 2008 RX 350 and hasn’t had a stich of problems