Lexus has shown a facelifted version of its sharply styled NX SUV in Shanghai. Here are the details.

The first Lexus SUV has come in for a refresh with Lexus stating that the SUV has sold incredibly well. So well, that it has outperformed sales targets in every market it was sold in. Sound promising, but sales targets must not have been very high in SA if that's the case.

Starting at the front, Lexus has reshaped the huge front grille slightly. The LED lighting signature has also been updated and has more visual appeal now. The rear bumper has been modified to provide a wider and lower visual appearance.The chrome tips of the exhaust are larger and are also housed within the new rear bumper design.

Improvements inside have been made to the infotainment screen, which has been enlarged from 7-inches to 10.3-inches. The controls of the system have also been simplified, so hopefully, this improves the usability of the system. Many of the touch surfaces of the interior now have a metallic satin finish that Lexus says, enhances the premium look and feel of the cabin.

Pandering to the tech savvy buyer, Lexus has enlarged the wireless charging dock to suit the modern Smartphone. The USB ports have been repositioned and the amperage has been increased so that device can be charged faster.

The engines remain the same with a 2.0-litre turbopetrol – which will now be called the NX 300 (ex 200t) and the 2.5-litre 4-cylinder hybrid unit that will remain the NX 300h. Lexus will be removing the 't' designation from its other models in the future.

Gains have been made in the suspension department to improve the ride and handling. The introduction of adaptive variable suspension is entirely new for the NX range and was first used on the LC 500 we drove in 2016.

Sound proofing and vibration deletion have always been a strong suit of Lexus' models and it appears to have made further improvements in this department with the NX.

The facelifted NX is set to go on sale later this year but local introduction dates are not available yet.

Previously

Lexus has released a teaser image of the facelifted NX compact crossover that will be shown at the Shanghai Motor Show towards the end of April 2017.

The Lexus NX compact crossover was launched in South Africa early in 2015 and the model is now due for revision. Lexus will show the facelifted NX at the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show on 21 April 2017 and the firm has released a teaser image showing the front section of the new-look NX.

The changes aren’t expected to be major and the sharp and edgy styling that defines the NX will no doubt remain. The bumper may be slightly tweaked and there will likely be new wheel designs on offer. Interior changes will be minimal too with a few convenience and functional enhancements expected.

In terms of engines, the current 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine found in the NX 200t and the 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine in the NX 300h are expected to remain unchanged.

More details are expected to emerge in coming weeks and we will keep you updated as soon as more information is available.

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Lexus NX 200t F-Sport (2015) Review

Lexus LC (2017) First Look

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