Quick Take: 2022 Lexus NX350
As the premium compact SUV market becomes ever more competitive every year, each update takes on additional importance. With the NX receiving a major update for 2022, Lexus has enhanced the experience behind the wheel while not tampering with the characteristics of what made it a popular choice in the segment, especially the comfort it was known for providing. As the NX has been a perennial favorite among premium compact SUV shoppers, we sampled the NX for ourselves on the roads of Malibu, where we got to find out how it fares on twisting, sometimes rough roads and in hot weather.
Our test vehicle was the NX350 F SPORT version with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making 275 horsepower mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system. Being an F SPORT vehicle, performance features such as a more aggressive grille, bumpers, steering wheel were installed along with adaptive variable suspension, front and rear dampers, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Options on the NX350 we drive included triple beam LED headlamps with cornering abilities, a 14-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system (replacing the mouse-controlled system that wasn’t very well-liked), ventilated front seats, a panoramic moonroof, panoramic view monitor, and an excellent 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
After just a short time behind the wheel of the NX350, we were impressed by how plush the ride was, despite being the performance-oriented version. Handling was still superb, the steering feeling direct and responding quickly to inputs. We especially liked how much more improved the infotainment system was without the mouse system and it enhanced our experience with the NX further. On the whole, we think the updated NX is a welcome improvement to the premium compact SUV segment and will likely steal some sales from the existing stalwarts. As it is a Lexus, the NX is renowned for its reliability, which helps it stand out more in a very packed market. Anyone who ends up with an NX in the garage will likely relish it in the years to come.
