The automotive industry is full of ups and downs. Every automaker has had their share of hit cars and they all had some failures as well. Lexus on the other hand has been able to stay extremely consistent throughout the years. They made a solid reputation in terms of reliability, safety, and comfort. However, sometimes with consistency comes boredom. There is an argument that Lexus has always played it safe, and while its German competitors evolved, Lexus models were becoming outdated. This all changed with the all-new 2022 Lexus NX 350 AWD F Sport. For the first time ever, I entered a Lexus and saw a completely re-designed interior. If you ever thought Lexus’ interior was stuck in the past, the NX 350 F Sport will completely change your mind.
2022 Lexus NX 350 AWD F Sport
- Turbocharged Engine
- 14-Inch Display
- Active Variable Suspension
- Model: NX 350 F Sport
- Engine/Motor: 2.4-Liter In-Line Turbocharged 4-Cylinder
- Horsepower: 275
- Torque: 317 lb-ft @ 1,700 RPM and 3,600 RPM
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
- Sporty Handling
- Good Acceleration
- Fantastic Cabin
- Easy-To-Use Infotainment System
- Great F Sport Styling
- Transmission Feels Lazy
- Poor Fuel Economy
The New Turbocharged Inline-4 Engine
The all-new 2022 Lexus NX F Sport comes with a few engine options, but our loner car came with the 2.4-liter in-line turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The engine features dual-cam, 16-valve with variable valve timing. It works collaboratively with an eight-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission that is electronically-controlled to send power to all four-wheels. Together, the 2022 Lexus NX AWD F Sport delivers 275 horsepower, and 317 lb-ft of torque between 1,700 RPM and 3,600 RPM. The power and torque result in a 6.6-second 0-60 mph, 127 mph top track speed, and a combined fuel consumption of 25mpg (22 City/28 Highway). On paper, the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine seems promising, but how does it translate on the road?
Aggressive Looks In A Compact Design
Lexus has done a great job in combining elegance with aggressiveness in this crossover SUV. The small shell, mixed with the gloss-black 20-inch wheels, the black F Sport accents, and the extra-large grille make for such a unique look. Despite the similarities with the RX, the NX truly takes its own personality and runs with it. The rear gets a taillight bar that is unique to the NX with LED lighting. You will also notice an all-new “LEXUS” emblem in the rear. In spite of being such a small detail, it somehow completely changes the look of the rear. The headlight housings are all new for the 2022 model as well. While most Lexus models have similarly-designed headlights, the NX gets a rather unique one. Perhaps this will be the new design moving forward for the rest of the models. The Lexus NX 350 F Sport’s design is a true step-up for the Japanese automaker to add to their reliability reputation.
The Best Lexus Cabin Yet
There hasn’t been a review of any Lexus vehicle (aside from the Lexus LS we all love) in the last five years that didn’t call their cabins outdated. We recently reviewed the 2022 Lexus ES 450h F Sport, and while it’s one of the most comfortable and reliable mid-size sedans, the interior felt old. This is definitely not the case with the 2022 Lexus NX 350 F Sport. The all-new cabin is most likely setting the stage for the rest of the models, and we are likely to see completely different cabins across the Lexus lineup. Upon entering the NX, you will notice a huge 14-inch infotainment display. A brilliant design that flows seamlessly with the dashboard, this is a far better system than the one Lexus was using.
The infotainment system comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as easy to use features. Lexus finally got rid of the Touchpad that no one liked, and instead, now you only have the touchscreen to navigate through the system. With no buttons around, you can only touch the screen and it could get tedious at times having to reverse your steps in order to find the proper menu (still much better than anything before). The system can help you get what you want by just saying “Hey Lexus” and letting the voice command take you to your destination, however. This system works very well. Overall, there isn’t much to hate in the cabin. It’s truly a huge leap forward, with quality material all around, top-notch safety features and camera system, and exquisite design and flow in the cabin. This SUV truly hits the mark and raises the bar. Well done, Lexus!
Sporty Ride With Turbocharged Performance
We recently reviewed the 2022 Lexus RX 450h F Sport, and we felt it was a well-rounded SUV. It does everything well, but it’s definitely more on the luxury side than the performance end. The NX 350 definitely takes a different route. The F Sport handling model features the Active Variable Suspension, which adjusts the ride based on the driving mode. In Sport and Sport+ modes, the NX is stiff and loses the luxury persona. Instead, it feels much more ready for corners and spirited driving.
Acceleration from the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is decent. With how small the NX is, we expected more; however, it feels like it’s more tuned for performance than comfort. After a small wait, boost kicks in and the NX takes off. Surprisingly, the NX 350 brings quite a deep roar – an unexpected trick from the luxury brand. The 8-speed transmission smoothly shifts between gears. It does, however, feel like it’s more on the lazy, luxury side. It feels like the tuning need to match the engine’s energy. With that said, our 2022 Lexus NX 350 F Sport came with a prototype sticker, which means tuning and fit and finish aren’t necessary final.
The chassis is rigid and offers nothing but confidence. The same is true about braking. The NX can stop just as quick as it goes. With how exciting the small SUV feels, we never felt like the NX veered away from its roots. It’s still a Lexus, it’s still comfortable, and it still does everything well. It was simply not trying to be something it’s not. Reaching 6’2” in height, I felt I was a bit cramped in the driver seat, especially lacking headroom. Most drivers won’t have the same complaint, but it’s worth noting that this is a very compact SUV. On our week loan, we couldn’t get better fuel economy than 21.2mpg. It seems like a lot for such small SUV, but I wasn’t making it any easier on it either, not to mention the competition is within range. Overall, we couldn’t be happier with the quality of the interior and the performance direction that Lexus is taking with their NX.
The NX Is An Exciting And Luxurious Small SUV
We know without a doubt that the 2022 Lexus NX 350 F Sport will make it much harder for competition than ever before. The NX is truly a different car than it was a year ago. The engine feels lively and exciting, while the interior is a massive upgrade. Without this interior, the NX would’ve had the worst time competing with the small SUV offerings from Audi and BMW, or even the Genesis GV70. However, this cabin is truly on-par with the best in this category. We would love to see a more aggressive tuning in Sport+ mode, but as is, the Lexus NX is truly a pleasure to drive. The 2022 Lexus NX 350 F Sport AWD carries a starting price tag of $47,725. While a hefty MSRP, we believe the NX can justify it. If you’re looking for a luxurious, hip, and exciting small SUV; the NX is it!