Ah, the Lexus NX. Sleek, stylish, with the brand’s usual touch of luxury. Yet, for all the leather and tech wizardry, how often have you thought about the turning circle? That cheeky little spec that determines just how nimbly you can navigate through city streets or that impromptu U-turn when you've taken a wrong turn? Let’s dive into what the Lexus NX brings to the table in terms of turning prowess.
Over the years, the NX has seen its fair share of changes. The inaugural model (AZ1 2014-2017 and its 2017-2021 facelift) sported a turning circle of 12.10 meters. Admirable, but not groundbreaking. Fast forward to the latest NX AZ2 2021-now and you'll find the turning circle expanded to 12.40 meters. It's a minor bump, but it showcases how the evolution of the model, and perhaps the increased dimensions, have nudged the minimum turning radius slightly outward.
When we look at the NX alongside its stablemates in the Lexus lineup, it's middle of the pack. Compare it to the compact dynamo that is the Lexus LBX with a turning circle of just 10.40 meters or the nimble Lexus UX e also at 10.40 meters, and suddenly the NX's 12.40 meters feels a bit unwieldy. Even the Lexus RC and RC F manage a tighter corner at 11.40 meters. However, the NX does outperform the larger Lexus RX which stretches out to 12.60 meters and the behemoth Lexus LM at a considerable 13.00 meters.
Now, toss in some fierce rivals and the plot thickens. Take the Maserati Grecale as an example, which matches the NX with a turning circle of 12.40 meters, yet it's lengthier at 4846 mm and has a wider wheelbase of 2901 mm. Then there's the agile Subaru SVX with a mere 10.80-meter turning circle, making the NX feel a touch cumbersome in comparison. And let’s not forget the VW Touareg and Audi Q5, both dancing gracefully at 11.60 meters. The NX, with its more, shall we say, relaxed turning circle, may seem a tad cumbersome next to these nimble competitors.