[TEST DRIVE] Lexus NX 450h+ reveals sporty side
For a brand long associated with quiet, effortless cruising, Lexus has built a surprisingly spirited side into its NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid SUV. A roughly 100-kilometer round trip from Seoul to Ganghwa Island in Incheon offered a chance to experience both personalities of the mid-size SUV — its calm, efficiency-focused character in city traffic and its sharper side once the road opened up. The NX…
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A recent test drive of the Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid SUV revealed a surprising blend of characteristics. Despite being a brand known for its smooth, effortless driving, the NX 450h+ showcased a sportier side. The journey from Seoul to Ganghwa Island provided an opportunity to experience both the car's calm, fuel-efficient nature in city traffic and its more dynamic character on open roads.
The NX 450h+ is the brand's first plug-in hybrid model based on the second-generation NX platform. Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine generating 185 horsepower and two electric motors, the system delivers a combined output of 307 horsepower. On paper, these figures suggest a performance-oriented SUV. However, the actual driving experience started not with speed, but with smoothness.
Equipped with an 18.1-kilowatt-hour battery, the NX 450h+ can cover up to 56 kilometers on electric power alone. In city driving, switching to Eco mode made the SUV feel deliberately relaxed. The throttle response was gentle, and the quiet electric drivetrain eased the strain of frequent stop-and-go traffic.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- [TEST DRIVE] Lexus NX 450h+ reveals sporty side koreatimes.co.kr
