PETALING JAYA: What was the Lexus NX 200t is now the NX 300 - a facelifted version of the outgoing model that still maintains the use of a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and comes in four variants, including a hybrid.

In terms of performance and technical specifications, it's pretty much status quo from the NX 200t and starts with the entry-level NX 300 Urban at RM311,900.

The model range continues with the NX 300 Premium at RM329,800 (RM11,000 less than the NX 200t), NX 300 F Sport at RM387,900 and the range-topping NX 300h at RM397,800. All prices are without insurance for Peninsular Malaysia private registration.

All Lexus vehicles come with a five-year with unlimited mileage factory warranty and the NX 300h comes with an eight-year battery assurance programme for the hybrid battery pack.

There are seven colour choices of Amber Crystal Shine (not available for F Sport), Red Mica Crystal Shine, Sparkling Meteor Metallic, Sonic Quartz, Platinum Silver Metallic, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Heat Blue Contrast Layering (for F Sport only) and Lava Orange Crystal Shine (for F Sport only).

The only physical changes the NX 300 gets is to its exterior, which includes a new grille, front and rear bumper, LC 500-inspired tri-beam LED headlights, 18-inch wheels and baffle-type exhaust tips.

Other changes include improvements to its suspension tuning with a new set of shock absorbers, which the company touts to have helped enhanced ride and handling thanks to a re-tune of the springs, stabiliser bars and bushings for improved turn-in response and steady-state cornering.

To recap, the 1,998cc turbocharged engine has a power output of 235hp from 4,800 to 5,600rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,650 to 4,000rpm and is managed by a six-speed automatic transmission that comes with Super Electronic Control Transmission with AI-Shift before transmitting the twist to the standard all-wheel-drive system.

This gives the NX 300 range the ability to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 7.1 seconds before reaching a top speed of 200kph.

The NX 300h hybrid variant uses a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre (2,494cc) Atkinson Cycle engine, mated to an Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission, to handle 153hp at 5,700rpm and 210Nm from 4,200 to 4,400rpm.

The combined system output is rated at 197hp - allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 9.2 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 180kph.

In terms of standard equipment, the list includes 18-inch wheels with 225/60 series tyres, Electronic Power Steering system, automatic tri-beam LED projector headlights with automatic levelling function, front fog lamps with cornering function, powered tailgate and a panoramic roof.

Inside, the cabin features leather and silver film accents, paddle-shifters, three drive modes (Eco, Normal and Sport), keyless entry with push-start button, cruise control, dual-zone climate controls, electric parking brake, front remote touch controller with touch pad and eight-way powered front passenger and driver seats wrapped in Nuluxe leather.

Information and entertainment is handled by an eight-speaker Lexus Premium Audio system with an eight-channel Class-D amplifier, 8.0-inch display with reverse camera, Miracast, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, radio and MP3 playback.

Standard safety features include eight airbags, anti-lock braking system, brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, electronic brakeforce distribution, hill-start assist and ISOFIX child seat anchor points.

Setting the NX 300 Premium apart is its moon roof, leather and wood cabin trim and smooth leather upholstery, while adding power-folding 60:40 rear seats, electro-chromic rear view mirror, blind spot monitoring system and rear cross traffic alert.

As for the F-Sport variant, although it doesn't have the power folding rear seat function, it does have its own sports suspension, lower and wider 235/55 series tyres for the 18-inch wheels and F Sport leather and film interior trim, Adaptive Variable Suspension.

It also comes with Custom and Sport S+ driving modes, panoramic roof, 10-way powered driver's seat, panoramic camera view and a 14-speaker Mark levinson 7.1 Premium surround sound system with 10.3-inch display, a 12-channel Class D amplifier, USB port, radio, Miracast and Bluetooth connectivity.

Much like the Premium variant, the NX 300h mirrors its goodies, except it uses leather and wood for its cabin trim, adds Electric Vehicle (EV) mode to the standard list of driving modes and also adds on the panoramic view function.

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