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Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo?

Eric · May 25, 2022 09:54 AM

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 01

If you’re in the market for a compact premium SUV (or if you insist, crossover), you’re spoilt for choices as there are not less than 4 different SUVs to choose from.

Joining the list of compact executive crossovers is the recently-launched, all-new 2022 Lexus NX, codenamed AZ20. 

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 02

NX 250 pictured

For its second generation model, Lexus Malaysia is offering two variants, NX 250 Luxury and NX 350 F Sport. As before, the model is imported (CBU) from Japan.

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Also Read: All-new 2022 Lexus NX launched in Malaysia, priced from RM 370,888

The second-generation Lexus NX is priced between RM 370,888 to RM 389,888. Question is, which variant should you go for if you had RM 400k lying around?

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 01

Powertrain – more power than a base Porsche Macan, yes!

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 02

At the heart of the NX 350 F Sport lies a newly-developed turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine (T24A-FTS) that does 279 PS and 430 Nm, considerably higher than the previous generation NX’s turbo unit (8AR-FTS) which did 238 PS and 350 Nm.

In fact, this engine is more powerful than the base Porsche Macan, which does 265 PS and 400 Nm from a turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder engine. 

Also Read: TNGA-based all-new 2022 Lexus NX debuts; new 2.4L turbo, brand's first-ever PHEV

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 03

As for the Lexus NX 250, it gets a more familiar unit – a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol unit that does 207 PS and 243 Nm that’s also found in the updated XV70 Toyota Camry, albeit with slightly different output figures.

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 04

Both engines are hooked up to an 8-speed Direct Shift torque converter automatic that sends power to all four wheels.

Also Read: Lexus hijacks the reins of the Jinba Ittai horse from Mazda with its own man and steed concept

Exterior – Far more matured looks, but which one to pick?

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 05

Differences on the outside are rather subtle. Between the two, the NX 350 F Sport offers bespoke F Sport front fascia, front and rear skirts, body-coloured fender mouldings, and black roof rails.

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 06

White Nova Glass Flake is an F Sport-only colour

Additionally, the NX 350 F Sport is available with 2 additional colours, namely White Nova Glass Flake and Heat Blue Contrast Layering. Other colours for the 2022 Lexus NX include Sonic Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Chrome, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Madder Red, Blazing Carnelian Contrast Layering, and Terrane Khaki Mica Metallic.

Also Read: The CKD 2022 Lexus NX is in Malaysia, but it’s not what you think

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 07

NX 250 shown

Although the pricier NX 350 F Sport gets all the visual upgrades, the cheaper NX 250, in our opinion, is still a decent looker. 

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 08

Both SUVs offer 3-beam LED projector headlights with L-shaped DRLs, LED tail lights, rear spoiler, as well as keyless entry with Lexus Key Card. Both SUVs also wear 20-inch alloy wheels, with the NX 350 F Sport getting wheels finished in bespoke Super Gloss Black Metallic; the regular non-F Sport model gets Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish wheels instead.

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 09

Interior – You can have it in red or black

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 10

If red isn't your fancy, you can opt for a full-black interior as well

A red-themed interior can be had for the NX 250 or NX 350, with the difference being the seat design. The latter gets body-hugging, sportier seats, while the former's seats are more comfort-biased. 

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 11

The NX 350 F Sport gets a subtle emblem at the bottom of the steering wheel

The F Sport treatment is also applied to the steering wheel and pedals. If you’re not a fan of red leather seats, both SUVs can also be optioned with a full-black interior.

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 12

Common to both variants is a massive 14-inch infotainment display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, the latter can be connected wirelessly, a first for Lexus. Audio is routed through a 10-speaker Lexus Premium Audio Sound system. Sorry, unlike the previous generation Lexus NX, there’s no Mark Levinson sound system to be found here.

Also Read: Lexus NX updated for Malaysia - now with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 13

To keep your devices fully charged, the 2022 Lexus NX is fitted with 3 USB-C ports, as well as a wireless charging pad with sliding tray.

Safety – No compromise between variants

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 14

Regardless of which variant of the Lexus NX you pick, you’ll get the Lexus Safety System+ ADAS suite as standard, encompassing features like Front Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function, Lane Keeping System with Lane Tracing Assist and Lane Departure Alert, and High Beam Assist.

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 15

Road Sign Assist (RSA) also makes a debut on the Malaysian-spec NX, whereby this new compact luxury SUV is able to recognize speed limit signs and displays the information on the HUD and multi-info display. 

Conclusion – The NX 350 F Sport is the pick of the range

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 16

And this is where it gets tricky, as the price difference between the NX 250 and NX 350 F Sport is just RM 19,000, marking a less than 5 percent difference.

For buyers at this price range, a RM 19k difference is small change for the F Sport's superior powertrain. 

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 17

The NX 350 F Sport offers a far more powerful turbo engine wrapped in a sportier outfit.

It also rides and drives more comfortably thanks to its Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system with front and rear performance dampers, additional drive modes, and Active Noise Control.

In fact, the NX 350 F Sport, as mentioned earlier, is more powerful than the base Porsche Macan (from RM 433k).

Only RM 19k difference in price, should you get the 2022 Lexus NX with a 2.5NA or 2.4 Turbo? 18

However if aggressive looks are not your style, rest assured that you are not being short-changed by the NX 250 either. After all, it still offers 90 percent of what the NX 350 offers, including the comprehensive ADAS suite and one of the most user-friendly infotainment system on the market.  

Eric

Editor

Started from the IT industry but somehow managed to find his way into the automotive industry. If he’s not gaming, he’s constantly tinkering with his daily/weekend car.

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