We drive the Lexus NX300 F Sport

Lexus NX300 F Sport
Lexus NX300 F Sport

SUVs these days come in all different sizes and shapes. Manufacturers are starting to come out with SUVs that are basically cars but they give them an SUV shape because they know that it would sell better. The Lexus NX300 is one of those vehicles that reminds one of a car more than an SUV. Lexus says that it offers a raised driving position with a cockpit that “evokes a sporty driving experience with new features to complement a busy lifestyle."

The cockpit of the NX300 is indeed sporty looking and our F Sport model added full length illuminated needles as well as sport seats with more aggressive bolsters.

The driver grips a perforated leather F Sport steering wheel and brushed metallic gearshift. The F Sport’s unique instrumentation was inspired by the Lexus LFA supercar. The driver can view real-time performance with the Lexus-first G-Force meter in the Multi Information Display (MID). The display 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. It is a little bit of a toy in a car that is really not made for doing track days but it is perfect for the buyers of this car so that they can show off to their friends.

The NX300 F Sport is a fine automobile. But a real enthusiast would never look at it as a track car. The 8AR-FTS four cylinder engine uses a twin scroll turbo to put out 235 hp from 2.0 liters of displacement. With 4000 pounds to move around, the NX goes from 0-60 in 7.0 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph.

[adinserter name="GOOGLE AD"]Those are not lap record numbers but the thing about the NX is that it doesn’t really matter. It is not super-fast but it feels just fine in everyday driving and unless you decide to drag race a Mustang, the NX buyer will not really care. The NX will also get decent fuel economy with EPA ratings of 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the freeway. The NX will cost you a bit at the pump though since it requires 91 octane fuel.

The foundation for a vehicle’s handling agility and ride comfort is a highly rigid body structure and the NX makes extensive use of hot-stamped high tensile steel along with aluminum. The NX uses MacPherson strut front suspension and a trailing arm double wishbone rear suspension that helps improve handling and ride comfort.

Taking input from various sensors (vehicle speed, steering speed and angle, throttle angle and yaw rate), the four wheel drive 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 NX300 F Sport revs things up with sportier styling and improved handling performance and sound. The F Sport package includes a unique honeycomb front end with a more aggressive grille, optional LED headlights and a revised lower bumper. The F Sport even comes with Active Sound Control (ASC), which brings some of the engine note through the speakers and enhances it, with volume adjustable by the driver.

The interior is typical Lexus - everything is first rate
The interior is typical Lexus – everything is first rate

The NX300 comes with a lot of gimmicks but unfortunately most cars these days have to come with similar features because most buyers want them. In this case, it really does not detract from the driving experience because the F Sport is actually quite fun to drive. It enjoys being tossed around up to about 8/10ths which is perfect. The interior is typical Lexus and everything is first rate.

The NX300 F Sport is a great vehicle for someone who wants some sportiness added to their daily driver. It come with enough gadgets to keep most buyers happy and to be able to show off to their neighbors.

The best part about the F Sport is the price. The F Sport costs you just under $40,000 and that is pretty much fully loaded. That is actually quite a bargain considering the amount of features in the NX. So, hurry to your Lexus dealer before they figure out that they can charge more.

Specifications

Gas Mileage22 mpg City/27 mpg Hwy

EngineIntercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4, 2.0 L

EPA ClassSmall Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Style NameAWD

DrivetrainAll Wheel Drive

Passenger Capacity5

Passenger Doors4

Body StyleSport Utility

TransmissionTransmission: 6-Speed Multi-Mode Auto -inc: electronically controlled transmission w/intelligence (ECT-i)

Dimensions

Vehicle
EPA ClassificationSmall Sport Utility Vehicles 4WD

Weight Information
Base Curb Weight (lbs)4050

Interior Dimensions
Front Leg Room (in)42.8

Second Shoulder Room (in)55.3

Passenger Volume (ft³)71.6

Second Head Room (in)38.1

Front Shoulder Room (in)57.3

Second Hip Room (in)53.9

Front Head Room (in)38.2

Second Leg Room (in)36.1

Passenger Capacity5

Front Hip Room (in)55.1

Exterior Dimensions
Height, Overall (in)64.8

Length, Overall (in)182.3

Min Ground Clearance (in)6.9

Track Width, Front (in)61.8

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)73.6

Wheelbase (in)104.7

Track Width, Rear (in)61.8

Cargo Area Dimensions
Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)17.7

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)17.7

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)54.6

Fuel Economy

Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)15.9

Mileage
EPA Fuel Economy Est – City (MPG)22

EPA Fuel Economy Est – Hwy (MPG)27

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)24

Performance Specs

Engine
Fuel SystemPort/Direct Injection

Engine TypeIntercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM235 @ 4800

Displacement2.0 L/122

Engine Order CodeNA

SAE Net Torque @ RPM258 @ 1650

Transmission
Trans Description Cont.Automatic w/OD

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)1.00

Trans Order CodeNA

Second Gear Ratio (:1)1.90

Reverse Ratio (:1)4.15

Trans Description Cont. AgainNA

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)0.71

Trans Type6

Third Gear Ratio (:1)1.42

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)4.12

DrivetrainAll Wheel Drive

First Gear Ratio (:1)3.30

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)0.61

Brakes
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)11.7

Disc – Front (Yes or )Yes

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)NA

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)11.2

Disc – Rear (Yes or )Yes

Brake ABS System4-Wheel

Drum – Rear (Yes or )NA

Steering
Turning Diameter – Curb to Curb (ft)39.8

Steering TypeRack-Pinion

Tires
Front Tire SizeP225/60HR18

Rear Tire Order CodeNA

Rear Tire SizeP225/60HR18

Spare Tire Order CodeNA

Front Tire Order CodeNA

Spare Tire SizeCompact

Wheels
Front Wheel MaterialAluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)18 X 7.5

Rear Wheel MaterialAluminum

Spare Wheel Size (in)Compact

Front Wheel Size (in)18 X 7.5

Spare Wheel MaterialSteel

Suspension
Suspension Type – Rear (Cont.)Double Wishbone

Suspension Type – RearDouble Wishbone

Suspension Type – Front (Cont.)Strut

Suspension Type – FrontStrut

Safety Features

Safety
Air Bag-Frontal-DriverYes

Air Bag-Frontal-PassengerYes

Air Bag-Passenger Switch (On/Off)No

Air Bag-Side Body-FrontYes

Air Bag-Side Body-RearNo

Air Bag-Side Head-FrontYes

Air Bag-Side Head-RearYes

Brakes-ABSYes

Child Safety Rear Door LocksYes

Daytime Running LightsYes

Traction ControlYes

Night VisionNo

Rollover Protection BarsNo

Fog LampsYes

Parking AidNo

Tire Pressure MonitorYes

Back-Up CameraYes

Stability ControlYes

Other FeaturesElectronic Stability Control (ESC)
ABS And Driveline Traction Control
Side Impact Beams
Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
Lexus Enform w/Safety Connect Emergency Sos
Forward Collision
Lane Keep Assist Lane Keeping Assist
Lane Keep Assist Lane Departure Warning
Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
Airbag Occupancy Sensor
Driver Knee Airbag and Passenger Cushion Front Airbag
Rear Child Safety Locks
Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3…
Back-Up Camera

Warranty

Warranty
Basic Miles/km50,000

Basic Years4

Corrosion Miles/kmUnlimited

Corrosion Years6

Drivetrain Miles/km70,000

Drivetrain Years6

Maintenance Miles/km10,000

Maintenance Years1

Roadside Assistance Miles/kmUnlimited

Roadside Assistance Years4

Other Specs

Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)550

Trailering
Wt Distributing Hitch – Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)200

Dead Weight Hitch – Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)200

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)2000

Wt Distributing Hitch – Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)2000

Dead Weight Hitch – Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)2000