Currently reading: Lexus NX 300h adds Sport grade to line-up
The NX 300h Sport is part of several upgrades across the Lexus line for the new model year

Lexus has added a new Sport grade to the Lexus NX 300h hybrid SUV for 2017.

The NX 300h Sport comes with a Black Pack that includes lashings of darkness on the exterior, including on the grille and mirror housings. The 18in five-spoke alloy wheels are also black. It also comes with a navigation system and heated seats as standard, the latter of which are clad in black Tahara upholstery with aluminium trim.

Other features of the Sport include adaptive cruise control, an eight-speaker sound system, automatic wipers and headlights and folding door mirrors.

The NX is Lexus’ best-selling model in the UK, and the new Sport model sits above the SE in the NX 300h range. It costs £1000 more than the SE, at £33,995 on the road.

Other tweaks to the Lexus range for 2017 include a new Premier Pack option for the NX F Sport and the RX F Sport. The pack is designed to add some styling and performance enhancements, along with some extra equipment to the NX, including Lexus Premium Navigation, a 14-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system and a head-up display. It also brings in a heated steering wheel for those chilly mornings, a 360deg panoramic camera for better visibility and Adaptive Variable Suspension for improved ride and handling.

The Premier Pack, which costs £5750 on the NX, also includes automatic high beam on the headlights, lane keep assist and a blind spot monitor, as well as rear cross traffic alert for reversing out of parking spaces.

On the RX F Sport model, the Premier Pack costs £4500 and also offers a choice of panoramic roof or sunroof.

For the new model year, automatic emergency braking has been added to the top-of-the-range RX 450h Premier model. The new safety system will automatically apply the brakes to avoid an impact if it detects an obstacle in the car’s path. RX F Sport models with the Premier Pack fitted will also get the same upgrade.

Customers who opt for either the RC F or GS F performance models will now get Adaptive Variable Suspension as standard. These cars will also get accompanying system tweaks to the Torque Vectoring Differential if fitted, and the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system.

Finally, Lexus’ paint shop has been busy cooking up some new colours. The NX can now be ordered in Azure Blue and the NX F Sport in Solar Flare – a bright orange. The RX F Sport is also now available in Azure Blue. The RC F now has the option of Graphite Black Paint, while the Lexus GS F can be ordered in Cadoxton Slate.

Phill Tromans

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