Lexus's compact offerings, the CT hybrid hatchback and the NX crossover, have been facelifted for the 2018 model year featuring new faces, new interiors, and added safety tech to keep these luxury compacts prepared for the road ahead.
But first, let's delve deeper on the CT hybrid hatchback...
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| 2018 Lexus CT |
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| 2018 Lexus CT interior |
The Lexus CT has been with us for six years now, that's over a half a decade for now for Lexus's hybrid hatchback made for city pleasure in mind and although today's hatchbacks are evolving, the Lexus CT feels like it's been left behind when it comes to following today's trends.
Sure, the exterior has been mildly revised while the interior now boasts a longer screen on the dashboard but when it comes to performance, it still feels pretty much the same as the previous facelift three years ago or perhaps is it?
The suspension now boasts some performance dampers on both front and left to make handling even more emotional than ever and while it sounds nice, it still feels like it was slightly improved at all and while it retains the Drive Mode Selector, it delivers some mixed driving feels. ECO, NORMAL, or SPORT, it 2018MY CT feels like pretty much the same as last time and that's it.
Performance still pretty much the same as ever as you still have the 2ZR-FXE 1.8L engine connected to a 3JM electric motor and the conventional nickel metal battery. Running on engine alone, it produces 99PS of power and 142Nm of torque while running on electric motor alone, it produces 82PS of power and 207Nm of torque. Fuel economy is still 30.4kmpl
by JC08 Mode standards, although now irrelevant due to WLTC Mode standards.
The biggest change for the CT on this 2018 minor change is the implementation of Lexus Safety System + featuring a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection Function, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beam, and Radar Cruise Control. With tech like these, the CT is starting to be as intelligent as a a college student taking an Associate's Degree.
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| 2018 Lexus NX |
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| 2018 Lexus NX |
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| 2018 Lexus NX interior |
Now, let's talk about the Lexus NX and onto its 2018MY minor change, the NX has gained a new face which is agressive in F SPORT variants whereas the interior gained a much longer screen on the dashboard but the style is not the concern because the 2018MY NX is the first to bear Lexus's revised nomenclature for turbocharged models as the old NX 200t is now renamed as NX 300.
Renaming aside, the NX 300 still bears the same 8AR-FTS 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, which is also the same engine that powers the facelifted Toyota Harrier a few months ago, producing 238PS, 350Nm of torque output, and it's mated with a new 6-speed AT with G AI-SHIFT. Fuel efficiency has gone up to 13.0km/L by JC08 Mode standards. Also, there's the NX 300h with the 2AR-FXE engine connected to an electric motor and an old-school nickel metal battery. With the E-Four variant, an additional 50kW electric motor is bolted to the back, which makes the NX not only feels capable on any road condition but also efficient as well. The CVT gearbox is standard for the hybrid model and as always, 21kmpl of fuel economy is plenty for the front wheel drive NX300h.
Like the CT, the new NX comes with Lexus Safety System + as mentioned above to give this crossover a much prepared stance for the drivers navigating through different traffic conditions.
The 2018MY CT starts at 3,770,000 Yen while the 2018MY NX starts at 4,400,000 Yen for the NX300 and 5,040,000 Yen for the NX300h. So, which Lexus compact will you pick? If you are onto something, you'd better be with the turbocharged NX300 but if you're on a long journey ahead, go for the hybrid variants. While not essentially enjoyable to drive by luxury car standards, these compacts are well-mannered enough to enjoy the urban landscape as much as any other luxury cars on the road right now.
Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
