2018 Lexus NX 300 F Sport

2018 Lexus NX 300 F Sport

An Automotive Love Affair
By Joe Mavilia

Overview:

This is the 2018 Lexus NX 300 F Sport. While driving Electric cars over the recent past weeks from today I realized how anxious I felt always wondering if I would reach my destination without incident. For over 100 years we’ve demanded reliable easy to operate and maintain vehicles and the internal combustion engine provided our need. So, I felt comfortable when I stepped into this gas-powered 5-seat SUV that is perfect for most including small families.

However, you wouldn’t likely be taking the whole fam-damly camping very easily. I say that because it is a reminder that we should buy a car, truck or SUV that fits our need. For me and my wife it would be just fine taking off on a camping trip. One year we took a similar size Ford Escape to escape on a 3,000-mile camping road trip. Just fine for two with all our gear.

General Information:

Assembly- Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan; Classification is- Small SUV; Vehicles from Lexus- CT, ES, GS, GX, IS, LC, LS, LX, NX, RC, RX.

Handling & Performance:

This NX is in very capable competition listed here and it is up to the challenge. No complaints and it passed the very challenging Angeles Crest mountain course. Nice.

Styling:

I’m getting used to the radical lines of several of the new models across many brands we see on the roads these days. It’s not my favorite look, but it’s interesting and flashes me back to prior years where auto designs went from pointy to round. Like other fads and styles change is inevitable from the ‘runways’ in clothing to the ‘highways’ for automobiles. In the late 1950s cars morphed from Fins to everything had to be rounded in the decade of the 1960s.

Fit and Finish:

Assembly is consistently good relative to bygone days where rattles and squeaks were the norm. Today we’ve come to expect perfection, and most deliver.

Cost:

Competitively priced and for the serviceability we’ve been blessed with a range of prices to fit every budget.

Conveniences and comfort:

Really good stuff I’ve noted in standard equipment below that passes the test of what we need in our cars these days. Additionally, this Lexus is a comfy ride that is not always the case. But in this class, you expect it.

Consumer Recommendations:

In some ways I’m sorry there are so many choices but we’re all different people with varying perceptions of what pretty or comfortable is. I’ve driven them all and would have a hard time choosing. The good news is you could put this chart on the wall, throw darts and not get hurt in any case. If you like following the leader and patronize American car makers who pioneered the industry, the German’s made it precise and the Japanese watched and with the help of America post WWII they replicated the process and successful marketing. They too had to retool from wartime production.

Recognized Competition:

Good News:

Turbocharged power, great features for a small SUV, good handling and size for zipping around town – easy to park.

Bad News:

N/A

Standard Equipment:

2.0 liter Turbo VVT 235 horsepower 4 cylinder engine,6-speed auto trans, torque control all wheel drive, 17” aluminum wheels, drive mode select ECO, Normal & Sport, tire pressure monitor, Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, All-speed smart cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, intelligent high beam headlights, 8-airbags all around, power ABS braking with electronic brakeforce distribution & smart stop technology, backup camera, theft deterrent system, 8-speaker sound system with HD radio / iTunes USB/iPod/MPS control and scout GPS link, Remote touch interface, SiriusXM satellite radio, 8-way power driver & passenger seats, power folding mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering column, 60/40 split rear seats, climate control, F Sport Features: sport tuned suspension special seats, metallic sport trim, leather heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, cornering front fog and driving lights, 18” sport wheels.

Gas Stats:

22 City and 27 Highway MPG

$3.59 / Gal avg. October 4, 2018

www.fueleconomy.gov
for more information.

Pricing:

MSRP $39,775.