Lexus: Lexus NX300h Luxury: The perfect daily ride

When I was young, I imagined the perfect daily driver to be something fast, low-slung and very loud. And yet, life had other plans for me. Nowadays, I want a small, raised, versatile crossover that's very fuel efficient with a small footprint. And the Lexus NX350h fits these requirements to a T. Built atop the Toyota TNGK-A modular platform, NX has a 4,660-mm overall length, a narrow 1,865-mm width, and a 1,670-mm height for the F-Sport and Executive variants. It's got a useful 2,690-mm wheelbase which ensures modest overhangs for the small crossover and with the surprisingly sporty suspension, it's super fun to drive given the limited road network of Singapore, where I drove this particular right-hand-drive red NX350h Luxury, essentially equivalent to our Executive NX350h variant. And in Singapore, with car prices being sky-high (this NX350h with COE costs 352,800 Singapore dollars or roughly P15 million), you need the versatility afforded by this crossover as it's not practical to own two cars. You will appreciate the tight 5.8-meter turning radius when traversing very tight inner roads such as those in Little India, China Town, Tiong Bahru and CBD. Yet, despite the modest size, the NX350h provides a very useable 520 liters of cargo space in the trunk, increasing to a very large 1,411 liters with the second-row seats folded. You do have to be extra careful with the cream-colored leather interior with perforated seats. Local Lexus NX models may have a different interior color. On the day I tested and shot the Lexus, it was blazing hot, hovering around 42 degrees Celsius by the sea, which made me appreciate the seat-cooling function. Of course, the NX has a large 14.5-inch LCD display for the infotainment system, replete with wireless Apple CarPlay but interestingly wired-only Android Auto. The screen is supposedly larger than the local variants but I have yet to test the current NX locally. Perhaps local Philippine owners can chime in? Because driving on the wrong side (for me) is somewhat nerve-wracking for the first few minutes despite me doing this almost every month, the 360-degree camera is very helpful especially in built-up areas with high-traffic. On the highway, at a steady ~90km per hour (Singapore's Expressway speed limit), the NX feels confident and composed, very much in its element. Lexus says a shade under 20km / liter is easily achievable but I feel the NX can do easily better on the highway. Despite the small size, it drives like a larger car with impressive refinement and poise. The steering didn't feel as light as previous Lexus models, making it feel even more planted on the road. Damping and rebound control is good, roll is minimal for a crossover and quick left-right-left vis-a-vis transitions are easily dispatched. And in a safety conscious new world, be it Singapore or Philippines, the Lexus NX350h comes with Lexus' pre-collision, intersection turning assist, emergency steering assist, low-speed acceleration suppression, adaptive dynamic radar cruise control, lane-tracing and lane-keeping assist. I kept the lane tracing and keeping assist on because I do tend to misjudge my space allowance on either side of my RHD vehicle. So, those came in handy. Of course, vehicle dynamics control (traction and stability), ABS-EBD brakes and seven airbags, among other things, come as standard. And because the NX350h is a hybrid, the combined peak system output is 240ps or about 237 or so horsepower. The gasoline engine up front makes 188hp while the two front and rear electric motors combine 180hp and 51hp. However, the electric motors peak at lower RPM versus the gasoline engine, thus, the somewhat misleading peak figure. What you do need to know is the NX350h feels very powerful on the road, far more powerful than the supposed 237hp and 391 Newton-Meters of very urgent and massive torque curve. I spoke to a long-time Lexus enthusiast and owner, Victor Imperial, about their ownership experience with their Lexus NX350h here in the Philippines, and overall, it has been a very smooth and enjoyable ride. No wonder Victor and his family all drive Lexus and Toyota. If you live in a condominium, apartment or any high-congestion area, pack in as many activities in your life, and need a capable do-it-all, safe, and highly fuel-efficient compact crossover that feels posh and refined, there's the Lexus NX350h to consider.