Such an upgrade does not come without sacrifice, however, as gone are the rotary climate control dials of the old car. These have been replaced by touch-sensitive buttons mounted underneath the main touchscreen. Thankfully, the new steering wheel still gets physical buttons and is now adorned with Lexus lettering, rather than the brand’s logo. 

The NX was already one of the poshest-feeling mid–size SUVs on sale and this latest update appears to take things up a notch with stitched leather on the dashboard and even customisable fragrances that are emitted through the air vents. Top-spec Luxury and F Sport models will get the option of adding a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, which boasts its own ambient lighting package.

Better and safer to drive

Lexus promises the new NX will be both more enjoyable and safer to drive. It’s the firm’s first model to be tuned specifically for the European market – testing was even performed on the Nurburgring racetrack – and the results are a 10mm lower driving position, retuned steering, revised suspension and increased body rigidity.

Furthermore, Lexus has given the NX the same Safety System+ suite of driver aids as the all-electric Lexus ES saloon and TZ SUV. This includes upgraded sensors for wider degrees of hazard detection, as well as adaptive cruise control that can utilise the sat-nav maps to slow down for things like roundabouts, bends and junctions.

Keen buyers won’t have long to wait. Lexus says the new NX will go on sale in the UK from spring 2027. Exact UK pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed although, as is usually the case nowadays, you can expect a small uplift from the current car’s £46,695 base price.

, as well as other SUV models, is available now via the Auto Express Buy a Car service...