Lexus NX compact SUV production starts – first UK deliveries October 2014

The Lexus NX compact SUV – baby brother to the Lexus RX – has now started to roll off the production line in Japan, with first UK deliveries in October.

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We’re not entirely sure the new Lexus NX – revealed in production guise at the Beijing Motor Show in April – will be one of the most driver-focused compact SUVs, but it is a car that should see Lexus sales rise considerably.

And the NX is now starting to roll off the production line at Lexus’s Miyata plant in Japan, and Lexus say they already have 6,500 orders for the NX in Japan, and a more modest 350 in the UK.

The big seller in the UK – in the absence of a diesel NX – will be the NX 300h with its hybrid setup of a 2.5 litre petrol engine, electric motor and CVT gearbox, but despite promises of good economy (55.4mpg) the real world economy is likely to be significantly less, although its high headline economy will help BIK rates for business buyers.

But we’d like to have seen something other than a CVT ‘box in the NX, which would have made it nicer to drive and less irritating to live with, but Lexus is still convinced –unlike Audi – that a CVT ‘box is the way to go, and perhaps for their normal demographic that’s right?

Perhaps the more appealing NX will be the NX 200t with a promisingly lively 2.0 litre turbo with 235bhp, available only in 4WD (the 300h can be had as either FWD or 4WD) and a six-speed auto box.

But again, we wonder if the auto ‘box in the NX will be a let-down too? Lexus has decided to fit the 200t with a six-speed auto rather than the 8 (or even 9) speed auto favoured by the competition. Which seems odd.

Still, the Lexus NX looks great – in a sort of ‘Lexus gone Funky’ way – it will be well bolted together and well-equipped and should hold its value quite well.

Maybe that’s enough, and the ‘Drive’ is very much a secondary consideration for Lexus’ target market?