My New N350h - the first weeks

[Flying Prince]

As a new Lexus owner, I sit in my NX350h with only 53 miles on the clock, I wonder if my learning experience is worth recording. 

The main dealer  (), and their agent  (),  have been great, their service to me has been outstanding.

 

I have been a Lexus fan since 1990 when I first saw the LS400, complete luxury but not ostentatious. Always a Toyota driver, I looked forward to the day I could achieve a Lexus. From my first corolla through to my latest CHR.

I thought the CHR was, without doubt, an excellent drive. 

In late 2021 Lexus announced the NX350  as an upgrade to the NX300. 

On-line reviews convinced me that my favourite manufacturer have produced the car for me. I booked a test drive for 2nd February 2022, a deposit was made and a Takumi ordered.

Sadly, the predicted delivery of August/ September grew like Topsy, and I was finally delivered of my car 17 months later, on 17th July 2023.

It has only one key and no locking wheel nuts, however the dealer has been excellent in their service throughout this process.

 

However, the the name Takumi translates as artisan appealed to me as a fully apprenticed career Artificer. The description of the driver's experience as Tazuna, loosely translates as they Reins of a horse's, also appeals as a lifetime horse rider.

Neither word is a hollow boast. The car really feels as though it has been assembled by craftsmen and the drive is exceedingly comfortable with a relaxed feeling of control.

 

My history of driving Toyotas has always had one thing in common, if you drive a Toyota, all Toyotas are familiar and comfortable to drive. Any differences are normally pleasant and easy to learn.

Though I seem to have missed a couple of rungs on my car ownership ladder. 

Equally pleasant, but with so much more to learn and enjoy.

 

The Lexus NX350h+, Takumi

 

This car is an absolute joy and I can understand when car reviewers claim that the NX350, in all it's iterations, will become the biggest selling Lexus ever.

 

I arrived at the dealer at 1100 and drove out at 1330. Time well spent, being introduced to my new car.

As a result of my long wait, the fact that only one key was available and no locking wheel nuts, I was gifted a dashcam.

 

Learning the car and my questions 

 

Q1.    What is 'S'  for on the gear shift, as there is a Sport mode as well as Eco and Normal. Also the paddles, in a fully automatic car?

The answer, gleaned from the Lexus Owners Club is a obvious and simple, when explained. 

The ' Normal, Eco and Sport' switch  is for the enjoyment of a fully automatic car. Usually in Normal, you can explore more economical driving with Eco without testing you own fuel frugality driving skills. In the Sport mode, the gentle invigoration of sporty driving, without being too silly. It will cost you fuel economy.

The 'S' on the gear shift and the paddles allow you to play with and explore driving the car as though it were a manual, (but without the bother of a clutch pedal). Being a Lexus, of course, if you get too silly, the car will resume automatic mode, both for your benefit and to protect itself.

 

Q2.   The kick button to open the tailgate will not open it.

This is not a kick button, it objects to a slap in the face. Just wave your foot gently and it complies. 

 

Q3.   Cruise control was a gentle challenge to someone used to the third steering column switch.

Of course, there is already four steering column switches with the paddles.  So Lexus have another solution to the problem.

Once discovered, the routine of changing from a set maximum speed of 30 mph to adaptive cruise control is relatively straightforward.  Though I am relieved that I discovered this on a quiet motorway slip road!

 

Q4.   Lexus Climate Concierge has been wanting interesting accessory to explore,  and is indicative of the quality of Lexus. Once found and set, there is no need to fiddle, very  comforting. 

 

Q5.  S-Flow, as a car used by only two people normally,  a welcome facility to have the air conditioning concentrating on the front seats.

 

Q6.   The nanoe X system is intriguing,  I'll see if I can find the ozone smell of the forest. There must be something in this as Panasonic include it in their range of refrigerators. 

 

After less than two weeks, and 247 miles, I feel as though I have been driving this car forever.  It is so comfortable,  feeling that it was deliberately styled and built just for me.

 

[NiCoRe]

Well small add-on for Q1 :

S mode is not "play" mode per se as the NX does not even simulate any gear shifting.

S mode is intended to be used when driving down a steep descent, you want to protect your brake system from overheating, it will add engine braking to regenerative braking thus limiting the use of friction breaking. The paddles allow you to set up up the strength of engine breaking (pretty much the way you use manual transmission). It is super efficient (and I am currently using it in the Vosges mountains in France)

Enjoy your NX, 350h and 450h+ are amazing cars with a (sometimes) capricious infotainment system...just enough to remind you that perfection is beyond human grasp (even Japanese automakers 😇)

[RONNIE W HODGEKINSON]

12 hours ago, Flying Prince said:

As a new Lexus owner, I sit in my NX350h with only 53 miles on the clock, I wonder if my learning experience is worth recording. 

The main dealer  (), and their agent  (),  have been great, their service to me has been outstanding.

 

I have been a Lexus fan since 1990 when I first saw the LS400, complete luxury but not ostentatious. Always a Toyota driver, I looked forward to the day I could achieve a Lexus. From my first corolla through to my latest CHR.

I thought the CHR was, without doubt, an excellent drive. 

In late 2021 Lexus announced the NX350  as an upgrade to the NX300. 

On-line reviews convinced me that my favourite manufacturer have produced the car for me. I booked a test drive for 2nd February 2022, a deposit was made and a Takumi ordered.

Sadly, the predicted delivery of August/ September grew like Topsy, and I was finally delivered of my car 17 months later, on 17th July 2023.

It has only one key and no locking wheel nuts, however the dealer has been excellent in their service throughout this process.

 

However, the the name Takumi translates as artisan appealed to me as a fully apprenticed career Artificer. The description of the driver's experience as Tazuna, loosely translates as they Reins of a horse's, also appeals as a lifetime horse rider.

Neither word is a hollow boast. The car really feels as though it has been assembled by craftsmen and the drive is exceedingly comfortable with a relaxed feeling of control.

 

My history of driving Toyotas has always had one thing in common, if you drive a Toyota, all Toyotas are familiar and comfortable to drive. Any differences are normally pleasant and easy to learn.

Though I seem to have missed a couple of rungs on my car ownership ladder. 

Equally pleasant, but with so much more to learn and enjoy.

 

The Lexus NX350h+, Takumi

 

This car is an absolute joy and I can understand when car reviewers claim that the NX350, in all it's iterations, will become the biggest selling Lexus ever.

 

I arrived at the dealer at 1100 and drove out at 1330. Time well spent, being introduced to my new car.

As a result of my long wait, the fact that only one key was available and no locking wheel nuts, I was gifted a dashcam.

 

Learning the car and my questions 

 

Q1.    What is 'S'  for on the gear shift, as there is a Sport mode as well as Eco and Normal. Also the paddles, in a fully automatic car?

The answer, gleaned from the Lexus Owners Club is a obvious and simple, when explained. 

The ' Normal, Eco and Sport' switch  is for the enjoyment of a fully automatic car. Usually in Normal, you can explore more economical driving with Eco without testing you own fuel frugality driving skills. In the Sport mode, the gentle invigoration of sporty driving, without being too silly. It will cost you fuel economy.

The 'S' on the gear shift and the paddles allow you to play with and explore driving the car as though it were a manual, (but without the bother of a clutch pedal). Being a Lexus, of course, if you get too silly, the car will resume automatic mode, both for your benefit and to protect itself.

 

Q2.   The kick button to open the tailgate will not open it.

This is not a kick button, it objects to a slap in the face. Just wave your foot gently and it complies. 

 

Q3.   Cruise control was a gentle challenge to someone used to the third steering column switch.

Of course, there is already four steering column switches with the paddles.  So Lexus have another solution to the problem.

Once discovered, the routine of changing from a set maximum speed of 30 mph to adaptive cruise control is relatively straightforward.  Though I am relieved that I discovered this on a quiet motorway slip road!

 

Q4.   Lexus Climate Concierge has been wanting interesting accessory to explore,  and is indicative of the quality of Lexus. Once found and set, there is no need to fiddle, very  comforting. 

 

Q5.  S-Flow, as a car used by only two people normally,  a welcome facility to have the air conditioning concentrating on the front seats.

 

Q6.   The nanoe X system is intriguing,  I'll see if I can find the ozone smell of the forest. There must be something in this as Panasonic include it in their range of refrigerators. 

 

After less than two weeks, and 247 miles, I feel as though I have been driving this car forever.  It is so comfortable,  feeling that it was deliberately styled and built just for me.

 

Spot on ....Agree With All Your Comments.. Feel Good In The Fact That you Have Arrived.....No More to be Said.!!!