Lexus NX 350h Review: Delhi to Rishikesh with an off-road drive and an opinion correction

Lexus recently introduced the new NX 350h (Hybrid) in the Indian market in order to take on the SUVs from its German rivals. While we had driven the car and shared our first drive review earlier, our time spent with the car was quite limited as it is on most first drives.
The SUV, however, had so much new technology and features that we had to drive it for a longer duration and take it through a more detailed testing process. In addition, the new NX 350h also comes with AWD (All-Wheel Drive), which promises decent off-road capabilities. Keeping this in mind we took the car to a quick trip to the forests around Rishikesh and came back quite surprised. Here's how the new Lexus NX 350h stacked up during this fast-paced drive.

Like it is with most drives from Delhi, we chose to leave early in the morning to beat the traffic. In these empty and silent streets the Hybrid system of the NX 350h worked well and most of the propulsion was done on electric power, which meant our ride was almost silent. The engine coming to life occasionally was more evident due to the sound being more audible but the overall refinement of the engine even in such silent surroundings was truly impressive.
Soon we were on the highway to Haridwar and except a few short stretches near some towns the entire drive was done on great roads. Many people have asked me in the past if a CVT compromises high-speed overtaking and driving. In case of the Lexus NX 350h, the answer is largely no. Let's discuss the powertrain first.

There's a 2.5 L four-cylinder petrol motor paired with two electric motors developing a total power output of 240 hp. Transmission duties are handled by an e-CVT, which is more inclined towards a relaxed and smooth drive. Since there's no plug-in option the SUV can travel around 5km at best on battery. That said, it does a good job of assisting the engine and the switch between the motor and engine is seamless although quite perceivable. Fuel-efficiency is impressive as we got a system indicated 14.8 kmpl despite four occupants and a boot full of luggage in addition to some driving on hill roads.

On the highway, in normal mode one needs to be a bit careful with executing quick overtaking as the gearbox takes some time to respond but things improve significantly in Sport mode. The way the rubber-band effect of the transmission has been masked in truly impressive and this allows for a good driving experience that's not too far away from internal-combustion only vehicles. That said, the NX 350 is still not a vehicle that would appeal to a driving enthusiast as it lacks the punch and engagement that a petrol/diesel SUV of similar power would offer.
During the drive, all occupants absolutely fell in love with the comfort of the cabin. Owing to the longer wheelbase, space inside the cabin is good and chauffeur-driven customers will find the rear seat to offer good cushioning. Side and under-thigh support along with reclining function adds further to the comfort. There's also a brilliant 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system in place to recreate a concert-like environment. Features-wise the cabin is well-equipped and there's a large panoramic sunroof that can also be opened unlike the earlier version. Storage space inside the cabin is adequate and there are some thoughtful convenience touches like the driver armrest console cover that can be opened from either side.
One of the standout elements in the cabin of the Lexus NX 350h is the 14-inch touchscreen (largest in segment), which offers control for most functions as there are few physical buttons in the dash. The user-interface is simple and the touch response is quick while the sharp resolution makes viewing easy even under sunlight. Material quality is impressive and the layout of the cabin is soothing and warm. There are also unique bits such as the electronic latch that allows you to open the door at the push of a button and the sliding wireless charging tray that doubles up as a storage compartment.

Soaked in the comfort of the NX 350h on some smooth roads we made our way to the holy city of Haridwar, where we encountered some traffic. The hybrid system once again worked brilliantly and with electric propulsion for most of the city drive we made our way to the winding road through Raja ji National Park en-route to Rishikesh. It was on these winding roads that the NX350h shone with its brilliant handling. I must also mention that the suspension has been tuned so well that vertical movement even through sharp turns is well-controlled, translating into a much more soothing and relaxed experience than some of the NX 350h's rivals. When going fast, the AWD system works well and the NX 350h doesn't mind going through a series of sharp corners at a fast pace. Impressive visibility on all sides meant that negotiating some of the tighter turns with heavy traffic wasn't much of a problem.

Once we made our way to Rishikesh, we had to go through a dry riverbed to our resort. I was a bit skeptical to start with as most of the vehicles I saw taking this route were rugged SUVs and cars were sticking to the longer and better-paved approach road. However, that wouldn't exactly be a test for the NX 350h then, right? So with a bit of doubt in mind I gently started going over the loose rocks and within a few hundred metres, conditions worsened. The rocks were larger and there were now some sharp dips and inclines to go through. Thankfully, the NX 350h's AWD system worked impressively here and even made it through a small river crossing with ease
Honestly, I was prepared to turn around and take the smoother road but the NX never gave me a reason to. With every passing yard my confidence grew in the machine and while i did say in my first drive report that the NX 350h can do mil off-roading at best, I'm happy to report that I was proven wrong. The Lexus NX 350h is till no hardcore off-road machine but it is more than capable of going through a fair bit of challenging terrain as long as the driver is mindful of the vehicle's limits.
In a nutshell, the Lexus NX 350h turned out to be a brilliantly-engineered vehicle that not only drives well but is impressively comfortable with a modern and well-appointed cabin. The fact that it goes further on every litre of petrol than its rivals with lesser emissions is an added bonus and the best part is that unlike some hybrids, the NX 350h isn't boring to drive at all.
At a price ranging from Rs 64.9 to 71.6 lakh, ex-showroom, the Lexus NX 350h isn't aggressively priced but it isn't very expensive at the same time. From a segment perspective, the NX 350h SUV offers a great package and the only Hybrid system on sale presently. And by now this story has proven that the Lexus NX 350h can do almost everything that its rivals can but the same can't be said the other way around!