DanD

Saw one in the flesh at my local dealership. Not my choice of colour - Fuji red - but it looked stunning. I was not able to pinch a brochure and only managed to take a very quick look at one while waiting. Radar cruise control seems to be standard except on SE amongst other things. There are also new interior colours that look nice. The previous cream has been replaced with a slightly darker "stone" colour and there is a black/red cloth combination where the seats are black but edged in red. All models get LED lights as opposed to HID, although the ones on higher spec models have a different design. I think this facelift makes the IS even more desirable!

I agree. You have to experience the CVT over an extended test drive. I was skeptical myself, but when on a 24 hour test drive was impressed on just how smooth the CVT is.;.. and have not looked back since. Yes it does hold on to the revs but in practice you rarely notice the temporary increase in noise because of the power, the engine note and excellent noise insulation. It is cheaper to run (tax and MPG) than the 300/350. On the other hand, I guess that if you don't do a lot of miles, the non-hybrid may prove cheaper in the long run. With regards to the hybrid system, I am yet to hear of anyone who has had any major issue with it. You are probably correct that the number of hybrids and EV will become the norm over the next few years. I was in California for work earlier this month and the number of Nissan Leaf, Teslas, and Toyota/Honda Hybrids was incredible. You see as many Teslas over there than you do Mondeos over there. Oh, and you do see electric Mondeos and Focuses too!. Once on the motorway on my evening commute I counted no less than 12 Nissan Leafs in a row!!! Admittedly, California is not representative of the all US.

The Latitude are excellent. I am very pleased with them. I believe the Cross Climate have excellent reviews also but they are still very new... and consequently quite a lot more expensive still. Are you saying that the recommended is 33 front and rear, but you have had yours inflated to 38 front and 42 rear? Or have I misunderstood? Firstly, I believe that in a AWD/4WD vehicle, inflation should be the same for all 4 tyres. Secondly, I would say that your tyres are way over inflated! - You say yourself that you put a lot of importance on tyres, but by increasing the tyre pressure to such an extent you are effectively reducing the surface of little patch of rubber between the car that you are referring to and the road. It won't hurt economy, but it won't do any good in terms of grip... or indeed comfort! - You should check the recommendations in the car's manual and maybe increase the pressure by 1 or 2 PSI but no more (I think the recommended pressure for the RX450h is 32PSI but I am not 100% sure). Note that, should you be involved in an accident as a result of a skid, and an investigation shows that your tyres are grossly inflated, your insurance may not cover you.

Thanks Malcolm. I too was impressed with the NX. It is a nice place to travel in and is very well put together. I thought size would be an issue, but it wasn't. I have some reservations with regards to performance, but after all it is only in comparison to the RX, so I am sure I would happily adapt and get used to it.

Do you spend a lot of time on the M-way? - I wonder if my relatively poor MPG is more related to my time spent on M-ways rather than just my driving style although I admit to driving at between 75 and 80mph on motorways. Yes, it is above the speed limit and no, I don't feel bad about it.

You're right! - Premium nav is factory fit because of the reversing camera, additional speakers etc, but standard nav is dealer fit because it is a software only install.

Why not? What are your reservations/concerns?

Is it really considering the size of the car, its weight and performance? - I don't think so. To be honest, when I buy a car, I intend to enjoy it to the full, without compromise. To me it is a shame - and a waste - to spend this kind of money and then spend years of ownership watching the pennies. I would rather buy a different car that is cheaper to run. Don't get me wrong, I do not like wasting money either. But it took me a while to save first for a RX400h and then RX450h and I want to enjoy my investment without regrets! I still think that 28-29 MPG is pretty good if you were to compare it to a non-hybrid SUV offering similar levels of comfort and performance. And reliability! Incidentally, a couple of weekends ago I took a NX300h from Winchester to Brighton and back, with 5 on board. Mostly motorway (M3 and M27) and some dual carriageway littered with roundabouts (A27). I was surprised that the fuel consumption was similar to my RX's. I put this down to the fact that the smaller engine had to work that much harder. Loved the NX though, and I will replace the RX with one when the time comes as we no longer need the larger car.

Actually this is a very good point: could you maybe have switched the traction control off by mistake?

Rectangular infotainment controller is the touch pad for the premium, higher spec sat nav. Personally I find it much easier to use than the rotary controller.

Make sure you post some pics once fully fitted!

The ride in the NX is firm, but far from uncomfortable, and certainly not worse than what its German competitors offer. The seats though, are supremely comfortable!

Depends also on how much mileage you cover, and on what type of roads.

Looking forward to your review as I will be considering the Cross Climate when my Lattitude Tour HPs need replacing.

As per Rayaan's comment, no Sports mode on pre-facelift model. No EV button either. I drive in Normal mode always, with climate control on all the time, and without giving economy any consideration. I probably do around 50% motorway, 30% cross country and 20% urban. I keep tyre pressure at 2 PSI above the manufacturer recommendation and run on Michelin Lattitude Tour HP (all have around 5mm of thread left). My average is between 28MPG and 29MPG.

I recommend the rubber boot protector, especially if you have a light coloured carpet. Also stops things from sliding around in the boot. If I were you I'd ask the dealer if they have one hanging around: I got mine for free.

What kind of speed were you driving at though? - I think 27mpg is pretty good. My average with the 400h was between 28 and 29mpg, although I have always put enjoyment ahead of economy. People put a lot of emphasis on MPG, but in real terms, to the average driver who covers 12k miles per year (is that the average these days?) does a difference of 3 or 5 miles per gallon really make a huge difference cost wise, especially if it means compromising your enjoyment of a car?

No baby/toddler seats and probably no seatbelts either in those days I bet! My parents had a Chevrolet Impala Stationwagon (similar to the one in the pic) when we were kids. We would travel long distances overnight and my parents used to fold the rear seat down and throw a couple of mattresses in there and the 4 of us kids slept all the way (once we stopped fighting!). Luggage was in a roof rack.

It's not all about the suspension though, the seats play an important role too. The F-Sport suspension may be firmer, but I would still pick it because I find its seats are more supportive and more comfortable over long distances.

How about trying some sticky tape like parcel tape over the holes?

When I had my 400h, I drove to Munich and back in the winter and achieved an average of... 24MPG.

No!

Given the mileage you are going to do, I would not let the 22,000 of the F Sport put you off. It will still be under warranty, is better equipped and is better looking too (although that is a very subjective statement of course). Engine and output are the same, so it's all down to looks, equipment and comfort... and personal choice.

It is slightly different: In the NX the parking brake sets automatically when put the gear leaver into "P". However, there is also a "HOLD" function, which applies the parking brake when stopped in traffic, etc., and automatically disengages when the throttle pedal is depressed, however the HOLD function will automatically de-activate whenever the engine is switched off and needs to be manually switched on again via the press of a button.

My dealer informed me this morning that, as of April 1st (and no, this is not an early April's fool!), all NEW cars over £40,000 will attract a £450 tax, per year, for 5 years. If you are planning on buying a new car and it is going to cost over £40k, make sure it is registered before April 1st!