It seems when it comes to cars and methods of propulsion, the world is still struggling to decide if it really wants to go all-electric.
Companies that previously promised to screech down electric avenue at full throttle are now easing back on their investments as demand is proving to be slower than expected.
In the midst of all this chaotic indecision that puts many automotive livelihoods at stake, plug-in hybrid vehicles, otherwise known as PHEVs, are starting to make more sense as a bridge between the two worlds that could potentially offer the best of both.
Toyota and its luxury brand Lexus were early pioneers in the hybrid space, so it’s no surprise that the carmaker is now upping its game in the plug-in hybrid segment too.
Following the introduction of the Lexus RX 450h PHEV late last year, the luxury brand has introduced a second plug-in hybrid to its range.
And for that occasion we recently found ourselves landing in Cape Town on a surprisingly sunny Thursday morning to be greeted by array of NX 450h+ PHEVs all charged up and waiting to hit the road.
Lexus claims that under ideal conditions the new NX model will cover around 66km on electric power alone, measured in accordance with the WLTP combined cycle.
However on the open road, where there’s little opportunity for regenerative braking, you can expect a figure closer to 50km as we found out after pointing our shiny new press cars in the direction of Riebeek-Kasteel. Granted, that still falls within the average South African round trip commute of 44km.
Being an all-wheel drive PHEV, there is a lot going on beneath the sleek sheet metal of the NX 450h+.
It’s got three power units
The petrol-powered component is a 2.5-litre normally aspirated Atkinson Cycle engine that ekes out 136kW. It pairs with two electric motors, with a front-mounted unit producing 134kW and another over the rear axle adding 40kW to the mix as well as AWD capability. The total system output is quoted at 227kW, with an identical 227Nm of torque, which Lexus has curtailed in order to optimise range.
Although the full outputs will not be available when the batteries are completely depleted, the RX 450h+ can partially self-charge through regenerative braking, just like a conventional hybrid.
Petrol consumption on our car hovered above 9.0 litres per 100km on rural roads once our battery had been depleted, but it fell to around 7.8 litres per 100km after the launch route took us through a few urban sections around Stellenbosch that brought some regen braking into the picture.
The usual hybrid dilemma applies here.
The vehicle can be a little heavy on fuel at constant highway speeds, but ultimately a PHEV is built to offer you electric commuting capability with the freedom to tackle the open road on occasions when you need to, with absolutely zero range anxiety or fumbling with cables and waiting hours for a recharge. If you’re diligent with the charging then a PHEV could make a great deal of sense, but if your life involves considerable long-distance driving, a diesel is still the way to go.
The NX 450h+ is not compatible with DC charging but if you have a 32 amp AC wall charger installed it should charge up in about 2.5 hours, Lexus says, or eight hours with a conventional wall socket.
As mentioned, performance and the overall driving experience depends on how much juice is in the battery. In pure EV mode the vehicle is brisk and whisper quiet, but once the petrol motor is called into action the experience is not quite as refined.
The NX is comfortable to drive on the open road, if a touch firm over rougher surfaces thanks to those 20-inch wheels, but its handling inspires confidence. We were impressed by the grip and stability it displayed, even through sweeping mountain passes like Helshoogte.
The cabin of the Lexus NX is luxurious and packed with tech. Unlike the older Lexus models with their finicky touch pad, the NX comes with the company’s new “Tazuna” cockpit design, which combines a large central touchscreen with a digital instrument cluster and intelligent voice command.
Nothing too revolutionary here, but it is user friendly, apart from the fact that the Android Auto is not wireless, although Apple Car play is.
Luxurious array of features
Available only in F Sport trim, the NX 450h+ is packed with standard features, including a moonroof, electric tailgate operation, 10-speaker Lexus Premium EMV sound system, Head-Up Display, powered front seats with driver memory, Panoramic View Monitor and wireless phone charger.
There’s a full suite of driver assist features too, such as a pre-collision detection system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Active Cornering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist and Lane Keeping System.
Also part of the deal is an Intelligent Parking System that can identify open parking spots, both vertical and parallel, and then automatically controls the steering, acceleration and braking. It basically does it all for you.
On the outside the NX F Sport models are distinguished by 20-inch gloss-black alloy wheels as well as dual-beam LED headlights, a unique mesh grille design and model-specific front and rear bumpers.
The Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV is priced at R1,336,200 and it doesn’t have much in the way of competition, with its closest rival being the Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge, which starts at R1,314,000. But you might also want to consider the slightly smaller BMW X1 xDrive30e at R1,090,000.
The NX 450h+ is sold with a seven-year / 105,000km warranty, while the battery is covered for eight years or 195,000km.