2021 Lexus NX: News, Equipment, Price

Toyota’s luxury division Lexus competes in the growing, small luxury SUV subsection with the attractive NX model. Like every Lexus, the compact model gets attention with the exaggerated styling, premium cabin, generous equipment availability but it is also comfortable and powered by the turbocharged engine or the hybrid setup. The F Sport version has even more aggressive appearance and improved handling.  The model debuted for the 2015 model year and has become the brand’s second best-selling vehicle in the US.

The last 2020 NX updated the safety equipment and added Mark Levinson premium sound system. Some sources suggest that the next 2021 Lexus NX will mark the start of the new generation version but the revamped NX will appear in 2021 with the production start in early 2022. The production will take place at Cambridge, Ontario alongside the Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 hybrid.

In the meantime, the 2021 NX will stay mostly unchanged. There won’t be styling or interior upgrades and the powertrain options will also remain the same. Lexus will again make revisions in the equipment availability and possibly add new color options.

2021 Lexus NX: Design

The compact-sized NX received modest styling updates in 2018 with the revisions on the model’s spindle grille, new headlights and taillights. The 2021 Lexus NX will continue to live on those upgrades while the approaching redesign should bring even sharper styling.

The Lexus NX integrates the brand’s familiar, exaggerated styling defined with large spindle grille and sharp headlights. The visual interest gets also the sharply sculpted profile panels and squared fender flares. The rear is also intriguing thanks to the boomerang-style taillights and shaped tailgate.

The F Sport variant augments the visual interest further with an even larger grille, more flourishes, a lower body kit and larger wheels.

Interior, Equipment:

Inside the cabin the NX is fashionable and it gets high marks for comfortable seats and high-quality materials. The model provides also better than average legroom while the max cargo capacity is 54,6 cubic feet.

For the 2021 model year, the NX will keep the current design theme but should get upgraded infotainment features. The base model will come with an 8-inch touchscreen while the larger 10.3-inch display will be available. Both screens will be accompanied by Apple car Play, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Wi-Fi hotspot.  

The base equipment will also be keyless entry and ignition, power front seats, simulated leather upholstery, automatic headlights, dual-zone climate control, etc. The NX will also equip Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 as standard gear. There will be systems like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, bicyclist detection, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.  

The F Sport version will add sport seats and steering wheel, a sport-tuned suspension, special exterior styling and 18-inch wheels. There will be additional packages available and options like Mark Levinson sound system, adaptive suspension, etc.

2021 Lexus NX: Performance

The 2021 Lexus NX will again come standard with the turbocharged engine with the hybrid powertrain as an alternative.

The standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine will provide 235 hp and torque od 258 pound-feet. The six-speed automatic transmission will transfer power either to the front or all wheels. The front-wheel driven NX should stay at the current fuel economy ratings 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway with the combined efficiency at 25 mpg. The all-wheel drive should score 24 mpg combined.

An alternative hybrid powertrain will combine a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and battery-electric setup. The system will deliver 194 hp total with the power on all wheels by default. The rear axle-mounted electric motors provide the power for the rear wheels. This system will drive you 33 miles per gallon in city or 30 miles on the highway.

2021 Lexus NX: Release, Price

The 2021 Lexus NX will repeat the current form and it should also be the same with the price. The model should again be available from around $36, 000. The release date will be in the later phase of 2020. The second-generation version will debut as the 2022 model and we expect the prototype models to appear on the roads soon.

The NX Lexus is faced with stiff completion form the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Range Rover Evoque, Acura RDX and Mercedes GLC.