Good Things, Small Package: The 2016 Lexus NX 200t F SPORT

The 2016 Lexus NX 200t F SPORT.

It's been a very good first year for the Lexus NX line.  The small luxury crossover is handily outselling the BMW X1, Lincoln MKC, and every other direct competitor save the Acura RDX.  

2016 Lexus NX 200t F SPORT.

It is a fairly simple equation:  A hotter-than-hot market segment and a solid entry from a manufacturer with a reputation for luxury and reliability.

Not much has changed since our review of the 2015 Lexus NX 200t F SPORT, which, with a good vehicle, is good news. There's been a slight price increase, from $36,850 to $36,965. The engine remains the 2.0 liter turbo with 235 horsepower, which, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, gets an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 city/28 highway. Given the turbo's ability to get the vehicle to 60 miles per hour in just under seven seconds, there's a good balance of performance and economy.  Handling, especially in F SPORT trim, is outstanding.

As with all Lexus vehicles, standard features are a big part of the package. Click here for a complete overview. 

2016 Lexus NX 200t F SPORT interior.

And as with virtually every Lexus built, our test vehicle did not stop at the standard equipment.  More than $6,000 worth of options were added, including:

• Qi-compatible wireless charger ($220 and useless for iPhone owners)
• Electrochromic inside rearview mirror and Homelink garage door opener ($125)
• 18-inch F SPORT wheels with summer tires ($75)
• The navigation package, including the Lexus Enform app suite and an upgraded 10-speaker Lexus premium sound system ($1,875)
• Electrochromic heated outside rear-view mirrors with blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse tilt and memory ($660)
• Intuitive parking assist with clearance and back sonar ($500)
• Power back door ($400)
• Premium F SPORT package including heated front seats, a power tilt and slide moonroof, a memory power tilt and telescope steering column and a power 10-way driver's seat with lumbar support ($2,045)
• A heated perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel with paddle shifters ($150)

With $940 delivery, processing and handing fee, the as-tested price of our test vehicle was $43,955. As we said last year, the NX can't be judged by its larger, plusher brother, the RX. It is its own machine, and a surprisingly entertaining one to drive.