The next level: Lexus NX

Director of…

You sit quietly in your new corner office with a 180-degree view of Makati, admiring your newly printed name card with your new designation.

Congratulations! After years of hard work, you have arrived. Your sleepless nights and sacrifices are all worth it.  You are on the top  of the food chain; you can now afford that Rolex watch you have been eyeing for quite some time, have bespoke suits, travel with matching Rimowa luggages, and drive a…

Drive a what?

“Drive a what” is a question often asked to have a quick impression of stature: What does he/she drive?  What car is included in his/her package?

Cars are a quick gauge or representation of what you are, your style and your status. Of course you want to be different, yet you need the oomph! factor, an “arrive.”

You want it understated, yet with a personality that’s unmistakable. You want to show your peers that you have gone up to the next level. From your office-assigned Toyota vehicle, you are now ready for a… Lexus.

Background

Just a quick background for noncar people: Lexus is the luxury car division of Toyota. Its birth was prompted by a challenge issued by then Toyota chair Eiji Toyoda to build the world’s best car.

The result was the concept car named F1 (Flagship One), which became the Lexus LS 400. A lot of people make the comparison between some Lexus models and normal Toyota models, and how they look alike. That is because some of the vehicles share the same platform.

But the Lexus version is more souped up. And in present time, the Lexus design has evolved to its own distinct (and hot) look.

Lexus NX is the brand’s first entry into the competitive luxury compact crossover segment. It has three variants: the NX Turbo, NX F Sport and NX Hybrid.

I tested the NX F Sport, which has an AWD, six-speed, four-cylinder 16-valve gas engine, and retails for about P3.28 million.

Quite pricey? Actually, not really, compared to its European counterparts. Because of the Japan-Philippines trade agreement, Lexus has become a viable competitor in the luxury segment.

My first impression when I got in was it was cozy. Although it has the curved-down A-pillar, which usually makes me feel claustrophobic inside, the NX had enough roof-to-head clearance without making you feel like  being squished into your seat.

As expected, the cockpit was luxurious, with its premium trim and very comfortable seats. Since  its claim to fame is being a premium “sports gear,” you can see all the performance or racing styling from the LFA (the really expensive Lexus supercar, of which only a handful are produced).

I like the Porsche-type analog clock in the middle of the high-tech console, giving it the classy, high-end design look. The only issue is that its display screen is not touch screen, which is fast becoming standard in other vehicles.

Driving the NX

A compact crossover’s promise is to make you feel that you are just driving a car, thus the extra space and height are a plus.

I believe the NX is one of the successful crossovers able to deliver this feel.  It was nimble, responsive, and easy to drive. It felt really sturdy and stable: You feel secure and comfortable. There were no lags and even delivers power when needed.

To the  passengers, the seats in the back offer the same comfortable slope and ample legroom.  Boot space is enough for your weekly grocery or shopping; more so if you fold the back seats.

Head-turner

The NX also sports the signature Lexus grill, a bold chin and distinctive 18-inch wheels. It really looks like a sedan at first glance; even the height impression is very deceptive. The sharp accent lines gives the soft curved outline the right balance that will appeal to both male and female drivers.

I have been testing a couple of crossovers the past few weeks, and the NX merited a lot of second glances from onlookers.

The NX comes in gas, but the hybrid version is its answer to the fuel-economy issue. Resale value would be competitive as you won’t see a lot of second-hand Lexus in the market.

In total, if you are looking for a sure way to make a good impression while feeling good about the performance, the Lexus NX is definitely the way to go.

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