2023 Lexus NX 350 F Sport Is a Crossover Surprise

The Lexus NX 350 F Sport was a surprise to drive in many ways, from its unique color variations both exterior and interior to its surprising speed. Here are a couple of points that make the Lexus NX 350 F Sport stand out. Four colors for the seats are offered, including black, red, and beige as well as the white and black arrangement.

Four Powertrain options

There are four different powertrain options and the two hybrid options are easily our pick of the bunch. The more budget-friendly choice is the 350h, which is a regular hybrid, but the 450h+ PHEV adds an extra punch of performance with more power and an impressive 37 miles of all-electric range. Granted, the 450h+ is more expensive, but you’re getting a lot of capability for the cost and you’ll definitely be saving money on gas. Ladies this is like looking in the closet and trying to decide what dress to wear to cocktail hour the possibilities are endless.

New Technology

A new touchscreen (yes, touchscreen) unit sits atop a center stack that no longer juts into the front passenger space. Instead, it sits over a concave center console. The new infotainment system is powered by a standard 9.8-inch screen with dedicated physical climate control toggles or an optional 14-inch unit that incorporates a dedicated blend of touch-sensitive and physical comfort controls blended into the screen.

The infotainment screen is fitted to a panel that blends into the instrument display, which features a 7-inch screen, sixty-four-color ambient lighting is available, along with wireless charging. There is also your standard Apple Music, a digital phone key, user profiles for car settings, a digital rearview mirror, plus an AI assistant that responds to natural speech commands.

Luxury Crossover Suv

I went grocery shopping with this SUV and was worried about how much trunk space I would really have given its compact SUV. We found that the cargo area is more useful than its modest 22-cubic-foot measurement would suggest. We managed to fit ten bags of groceries with room to spare. This Lexus also includes a sizable under-floor storage bin found on every NX model which not only provides enough space for a small travel bag or groceries but is designed to thoughtfully store the cargo cover inside the car.

Safety Features

As a mom safety features are always important for me in any car, with the Lexus NX F Sport you can expect to have airbags all around this SUV even protection for your knees! Anti-whiplash head restraints actively react to rear collision forces and will cradle your head in an effort to reduce the likelihood of a whiplash injury. It is also equipped with a means of anticipating and/or detecting unwanted vehicle intrusion. The NX has an ignition disable device that will prevent the engine from starting if the correct original manufacturer key is not used.

Pricing

The 2023 Lexus NX 350 is an attractive option for luxury SUV buyers, with a starting price of under $40,000. However, the base model may be too basic for some luxury shoppers, lacking the premium features and amenities expected in a luxury vehicle. For those looking for more appropriate performance, the mid-range NX350 with a 275-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is a better choice.

The trim I was driving the NX 350 F SPORT 1 Upgrades the NX 350 with more aggressive styling and sportier performance. This model receives the Adaptive Variable Suspension System, front and rear performance shock absorbers, 20″ F Sport alloy wheels, an exclusive heated steering wheel with advanced touch control, F Sport seats, heated and ventilated front seats, and a driver’s seat with a memory system. The price for this MSRP: $58,550

The model also features a single-color ambient lighting system, tri-beam headlights with an intelligent high-beam control system, a head-up display, a power liftgate, a sunroof, trim black, and painted wheel arch moldings.

On the road, the 2023 Lexus NX is a lot more fun to drive. The steering is great, with a 2.4-litter turbo engine of the NX 350 F Sport is powerful. I felt that the vehicle is better prepared to attack winding roads. However, it’s not a resolutely sporty vehicle, and that’s good. The ride is firm, whether on the highway or on poorly maintained urban boulevards.