2021 Lexus NX 300 F SPORT – Luxury SUV – Ready to fight BMW X3?

The 2021 Lexus NX’s straight-line performance remains unchanged, keeping the significant improvements to the vehicle’s suspension tuning to enhance ride and handling. The springs, stabilizer bars and bushings improve turn-in response and steady-state cornering. The NX’s chassis has the available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) based on the advanced system found in the LC 500, which offers a range of up to 650 instantaneous compression and damping adjustments (up from 30) for enhanced control and overall handling stability. The foundation for the NX 300’s handling agility and ride comfort is a highly rigid body structure that makes extensive use of hot-stamped high tensile steel along with aluminum. The Lexus NX uses MacPherson strut front suspension and a trailing arm double wishbone type rear suspension that separates the coil springs and dampers to help optimize agility, control and ride comfort.

The NX 300’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 235 hp at 4800-5,600 rpm with 258 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,650-4,000 rpm. The D4-S injection system, which uses a combination of direct fuel injection and port fuel injectors, helps ensure ample power and crisp responsiveness at all engine speeds. Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence-Wide (VVT-iW) optimizes torque throughout the engine speed range and allows the engine to start in the Otto cycle and then run in the more fuel-efficient Atkinson cycle at cruising speeds.

The sequential six-speed automatic transmission uses Torque-Demand control logic to calculate required engine torque to deliver quick response and exhilarating acceleration feel. The G-force Artificial Intelligence (G-AI) system enables more spirited driving by selecting the optimum gear and downshift pattern in response to G-force.

As in other Lexus models, the driver can choose preferred driving responses using the Drive Mode Select dial on the center console. The system adjusts parameters for multiple systems, including throttle response and the power steering assist curve. The default setting is Normal. Sport mode sharpens responses, and ECO mode helps enhance more fuel-efficient driving.

For the 2021 Lexus NX 300, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) helps provide maximum traction and cornering control. Taking input from various sensors (vehicle speed, steering speed and angle, throttle angle and yaw rate), the system continuously monitors and actively governs torque distribution to the rear wheels, as needed, via an electromagnetically controlled coupling in the rear differential. Under most normal driving conditions, the system operates in front-wheel drive mode and can send up to 50 percent of available torque to the rear wheels when extra traction is needed.

The NX 300 F SPORT grabs the senses with its detailed design, handling performance and sound. The F SPORT exterior includes a unique honeycomb front end with a more aggressive grille, optional Premium Triple-Beam LED headlights and a lower bumper with elegant chrome treatment. The front-end of the NX 300 F SPORT achieves an even more aggressive appearance thanks to a lower bumper, rear lower bumper and taillamps, an addition of laser fog light housing, larger exhaust opening and an 18-inch F SPORT alloy wheels with All-Season or Summer tires.

Enjoy the sound of an engine revving? The Lexus NX 300 F SPORT obliges with Active Sound Control (ASC), which brings some of the engine note through the speakers and enhances it, with volume adjustable by the driver.

Body-hugging, quilted NuLuxe sport seat surfaces are exclusive to the F SPORT, which also offer an exclusive interior color, Circuit Red. The driver grips a perforated leather-trimmed F SPORT steering wheel with paddle shifters and brushed metallic gearshift.

The F SPORT’s unique instrumentation is inspired by the Lexus LFA supercar. The driver can view real-time performance with the G-Force meter “G-ball” in the Multi Information Display. The G-ball moves in response to the vehicle’s lateral and longitudinal forces. The MID displays the peak force in each direction. Display bars indicate the steering angle, throttle opening angle and brake pressure. The MID also provides a turbo-boost display.

Comment, like, dislike, share!