When diving into the motoring ocean, the swanky Lexus NX emerges as a dazzling creature, graceful yet assertive, offering its presence known with dimensions that could either stupefy or satisfy. This luxury compact crossover, since its inception, has strived to perfectly balance the art of spaciousness without morphing into a road-hogging leviathan, a tightrope walk that would have the Flying Wallendas nodding in respect. But how does this vehicular jewel fare when pitted against its brethren and rivals in the gladiatorial arena known as the automotive market? Buckle up, dear reader, for a journey into the realm of vehicular width comparisons where millimeters matter more than you'd think.
The transformation of the Lexus NX over its generations is akin to Clark Kent stepping out as Superman, albeit with slightly less fanfare around the cape. The first generation NX, dubbed the AZ1 (2014-2017), and its subsequent facelift (2017-2021), confidently planted its wheels at 1845 mm wide. Fast forward to the current NX, the AZ2 (2021-now), and it seems our superhero has been doing some shoulder workouts, bulking up to 1865 mm in width. This increment, though seemingly modest, is a testament to Lexus' commitment to evolving its species, ensuring more elbow room and comfort, while maintaining an aerodynamic silhouette that cuts through the air with the elegance of a katana slicing through silk.
In the grand coliseum of Lexus, the NX stands not with timid uncertainty but with the poised assurance of a gladiator aware of its strengths. With a width of 1865 mm, the NX finds itself sharing the pedestal with the esoteric Lexus ES, leaving more compact contenders such as the Lexus UX, RC, and the electric breathing UX e a shade narrower. However, it respectfully bows to the girthier Lexus LX, LM, and the stylishly broad LC Coupé, behemoths that command the road with a wider stance. This impeccable positioning allows the NX to cater to those who seek the Goldilocks zone of luxury crossover width—not too broad to challenge parking lot bays, yet wide enough to drape its occupants in comfort.
The real excitement, however, kicks in when the Lexus NX is thrown into the gladiator pit with its rivals, where it defends its width with the ferocity of a mother bear protecting her cubs. Against the likes of the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, the NX flexes its broader silhouette, a clear sign of its heightened ambitions in the luxury crossover segment. The NX overshadows the X1 by a considerable margin, while it makes the GLA look, quite frankly, a bit on the skimpy side. Yet, when eyeing competitors such as the Volvo XC60 or the Porsche Macan, the NX must acknowledge siblings from a parallel universe, where width signifies a command over the road, offering a spatial experience akin to first-class air travel. Engineers at Lexus have evidently held their slide rules and CAD tools with dexterity, sculpting the NX's width to not just meet, but often exceed the spatial generosity of its peers, ensuring its place in the pantheon of luxury crossovers is both well-deserved and well-defined.