Lexus NX300H vs Renault Megane E-Tech

What's the difference?

The all-new NX is a massive step forward over its popular predecessor.

In every way, it is an improvement, with better refinement, comfort, performance, efficiency, safety and choice.

Indeed, look out, Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volvo: the NX has finally come of age. If we were in the market for a luxury medium-sized SUV, we'd definitely have the Lexus on our shortlist, especially the incredibly efficient hybrids.

Europe, you've been warned.

The design for the Renault Megane E-Tech is top-notch and the eco-conscious footprint is even better. It’s an easy and comfortable car to be in but the price is a smidge too high in my opinion when you consider there’s currently only one choice for us Aussies and it’s a mid-spec variant at that. It also misses out on some items its rivals have but is a solid EV to consider for urban dwellers.

UX, NX, RX, LX, RZ... Lexus' nonsensical naming strategy can be quite flummoxing.

Just remember that the NX sits above the smaller UX but below the larger RX in the brand's burgeoning SUV stable. It's also closely related to the wildly-popular Toyota RAV4 – though you'd never know by looking at them side-by-side.

At first it may look much like the old model, but the new NX has switched to the latest RAV4's advanced Toyota New Global Architecture, known as GA-K in Lexus' lexicon.

Basically, it allows for a vehicle that's between 20 and 30 mm larger than before, to help improve overall proportions. And with this considerably bigger canvas to work on, it also means that Lexus's stylists have had more freedom to evolve the brand's design language. Albeit at a glacial pace from an exterior point of view.

Starting from the front, the controversial 'spindle' grille has been toned down a bit and the headlights have a neat Lexus 'lightning rod' tick motif, while – looking at the side profile – a startlingly cab-backward shape gives it a surprisingly sleek silhouette.

The extra length and stretched wheelbase let the design to breathe more than before, bringing with it a more graceful and elegant aesthetic.

Finally – and this is a brand first – the new NX's rather nondescript rear has 'LEXUS' spelled out in letters, with no sign of the company logo.

The E-Tech’s plump body panelling gives me some cute marshmallow vibes from certain angles but there are enough features to keep it looking slick, like the fun LED headlights, massive 20-inch alloys and optional two-tone paintwork.

I’m also a fan of the door handles on the E-Tech as they add some nice focal points, because the front has auto-flush handles that pop out on approach and the back door handles are positioned on the C-pillar.

If you're eco-conscious the E-Tech ticks the box because Renault has designed it to be 90 per cent recyclable.

The body is made of aluminium and can be reformed and shaped into new products at the end of its life. The interior materials are made from recycled fabrics and trims; even the lithium-ion battery is free from any rare earth minerals.

Head inside the cabin and the grey knit trims and upholstery on the seats, doors and dashboard creates a cabin space that feels warm and inviting. It's a similar feel to the Polestar 2 - simple but refined.

Although, with my kid around I have higher anxiety about dirtying them!

For the really big design step-change, you'll need to step inside...

Hallelujah! Lexus has finally forsaken its weird, futuristic dash design elements for a simpler and far-more intuitive look that finally banishes unnecessary complication while still appearing progressive.

Somehow, there are now 33 fewer switches than before, aided by permanent virtual short-cut buttons on both of the touchscreens on offer.

Lexus has clearly been listening!

So, now, what we have here is an attractive, functional and superbly built interior (save for a couple of very-atypical Lexus rattles in these early production cars we drove), boasting quality materials that rate highly on all the important sensory metrics: lush to the touch, easy on the eyes and lovely to breathe in... and breathe out again!

Other plus points include a gorgeous steering wheel, attractive instrument dials, endless storage and climate control that's so effective it pretty much creates a microclimate within your personal space.

Brilliant seats, with ample adjustability, provide comfort and support even after hours ensconced within them, while the driving position is enhanced by thoughtful placement of most major controls - including the natty little gear lever and big old paddle shifters.

It's also worth pointing out a couple of surprise-and-delight features – starting with the 'e-latch' electric door handles, with sensors that delay opening if there are cyclists or pedestrians on approach to prevent striking them, as well as a manual override should the battery go flat.

There's more, like the wireless phone charger tray that also slides to reveal a hidden cubby area; centre-console lid that opens sideways FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS – what sort of sorcery is this?? – and optional digital rear-view mirror that works like X-ray vision in seeing through obstructions... handy for when back-seat passengers' beehives block the back view out.

However, after lavishing such intricate attention to detail, why does the instrument cluster's digital trip computer use the same cheap style and font as found in a lowly Yaris? It takes you completely out of the Lexus state-of-mind.

And, like me, you might lose your mind with the infuriatingly fiddly capacitive touch controls on models with the HUD. While it does provide a broad range of functionality that's displayed on the windscreen view, it's difficult to modulate accurately, and doesn't operate intuitively. Remnants of the fiddly old touchpad from the previous NX. Why can't Lexus just abandon such needless complexity? After a while I worked it out – but it's deeply distracting to use.

Oh well. At least the rear seat area is an improvement over the old NX, with more space, comfort and convenience features. Entry/egress is easy, with wide apertures that ought to make fitting in child seats less of a chore than before.

Most adults should find sufficient leg, knee, shoulder and head room back there, though a trio of adults might result in a very tight fit.

Rear facing air vents (with climate control functionality on higher grades), 12V power outlets, twin USB ports and a wide centre armrest with cupholders are included.

Further back, there's a handy (though not class-leading) 520 litres of luggage space regardless of powertrain, expanding to 1411L when the rear backrests are folded. Access is easy thanks to the wide door and flat floor, where a bit of extra storage and even space for the cargo blind are provided. Thanks, Lexus.

Note, though, that runflat tyres take the place of any spare wheel – a bummer if you're out on deserted country road late at night with no help in sight.

The E-Tech’s cabin is fairly roomy up front with plenty of head- and legroom. The front seats are super comfortable with powered lumbar support and I wouldn’t mind them not being powered if the price point was a bit lower. 

The rear seat is comfortable enough once you get seated but the top of the door apertures are low, and I have to duck my head to get in and out.

Your head also brushes against the roof lining in the back which isn't terribly comfortable, especially considering there is no fold-down armrest to lean on.

The front row benefits the most with individual storage and you get a lot of options to choose from but the centre console is one of the most practical I’ve seen for the class. Lots of pockets and nooks that feature adjustable 'walls'.

You get a single permanent cupholder but with the removable walls, accommodation for a second cup or bottle, can be catered for.

Underneath the multimedia screen you get a dedicated phone shelf, which I love using.

In the rear, you get two map pockets and shallow bin storage in each door.

The charging options are good with two USB-C ports in each row as well as a 12-volt outlet and a wireless charging pad up front but you miss out on V2L (Vehicle to Load) functionality in this model.

The 9.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system looks great headlining the dash and is easy to access and use. The system rebooted once on me while driving but other than that everything is responsive.

You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the CarPlay is easy to get started.

The steering wheel has numerous stalks, controls, regen paddle shifters and even the gearshifter on the column, too. It takes a beat to get used to it but I like how driver orientated it is.

The boot offers great storage at 440L but it’s a deep well, which might be annoying if you’re unloading heavier gear. There is underfloor storage for the cables, too, and like I said, you miss out on a powered tailgate.

For the moment, the Megane E-Tech is being offered in only one grade for the Australian market and that’s the Techno EV60, which is the mid-level version of Renault’s brand new EV.

The EV60 is priced from $64,990, before on-road costs, and that positions it right in the middle of its rivals. The nearest competitor is the Hyundai Kona Extended Range at $60,500 MSRP, newcomer Toyota bZ4X 2WD slides in at $66,000 MSRP and the Volvo C40 Plus sits at $78,990 MSRP.

The E-Tech comes with a decent array of features for a mid-spec variant and premium items include heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a digital rear view mirror and wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but you do miss out on items like a powered tailgate and electric front seats which most of its rivals sport.

Technology looks good with a 9.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, faster USB-C ports (four total) and a wireless charging pad.

Sound is covered by the Arkamys Auditorium sound system with six speakers and the mood can be set with the 48-way configurable ambient lighting system.

Despite missing out on a powered tailgate, the EV60 has some features that still offer convenience like keyless entry, heated and auto-folding side mirrors and auto-folding flush door handles that pop out on approach (front only).

Here is where the NX shines, with clear options that provide very obvious benefits according to wants, needs and budgets. And there are even fundamental differences compared to the RAV4 powertrain, further justifying that premium 'L' badge experience.

Let's divide these into petrol and petrol-electric hybrid models, with petrols first.

The NX 250 is powered by a 2487cc 2.5-litre naturally aspirated direct-injection twin-cam four-cylinder engine, producing a healthy 152kW of power at a heady 6600rpm, and 243Nm of torque from 4000rpm to 5000rpm.

Drive is sent to the front wheels only, via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic. Tipping the scales at 1705kg, it's the lightest NX on offer, and thus delivers 89.1kW per tonne.

The NX 350 turbo version, meanwhile, uses a somewhat different four-cylinder engine as well as a variation of the eight-speed auto. A 2393cc 2.4-litre turbo unit, it pumps out 205kW at 6000rpm and 430Nm from a low 1700-3600rpm. It's also AWD only, which adds kilos. That said, coming in at 1860kg, its power-to-weight ratio is a stirring 110.2kW/tonne.

Moving to the series/parallel hybrids, both the expected-bestselling NX 350h and the intriguing new NX 450h+ PHEV are based on that 2487cc 2.5-litre four-cylinder atmo unit, tuned this time to offer 140kW and 136kW (at 6000rpm) and 239Nm/227Nm (from 4300-4500rpm and 3200-3700rpm) in the NX 350h and NX 450h+ respectively.

The NX 350h uses either a single synchronous permanent magnet 134kW/270Nm electric motor in the front-drive version, or two electric motors (adding a 40kW/121Nm generator on the rear, double wishbone axle) to create the AWD alternative. Their combined total power rating is 179kW. The NX 450h+ ups that to 227kW.

None are light, however. While the NX 350h 2WD weighs a reasonable 1810kg, the twin-motor AWD system bumps that up to 1870kg, while the NX 450h+ is a portly 2050kg. Result? The power-to-weight ratio for all three are 98.9kW/tonne, 95.7kW/tonne and 110.7kW/tonne – almost identical to that of the NX 350 turbo.

The hybrids' gearbox in question is an 'e-CVT' electronic continuously variable transmission, working with a lithium-ion high-voltage battery, while the NX 450h+'s EV drive's battery is an 18.1kWh unit.

So, no prizes for guessing which one is the most frugal...

The Techno EV60 has a single electric motor. It produces a power output of 160kW and 300Nm of torque, and Renault says it will sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.4-seconds.

That's perfectly adequate for keeping up with traffic or getting  around town. You only notice a sluggishness with power when you have a full load of gear. Flipping it to 'Sport' mode make it feel peppier, if you ever need it.

All NXs require 95 RON premium unleaded petrol, and are emissions rated at Euro6b.

Not surprisingly, on the official combined run, thirstiest of the lot is the NX 350 turbo at 8.1L/100km (for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 185 grams per kilometre), followed by the NX 250 at 6.9L/100km (158g/km).

The NX 350h cut that down to 5.0L/100km (113g/km for the FWD and 114g/km for AWD), while the NX 450h+, naturally, is the most economical by far, slashing that down to just 1.3L/100km, or 29g/km.

While we can't tell you what the NX 450h+ managed on test, the others didn't quite match their official numbers. Over several hundred kilometres, the NX 350 ranged from 9.3-11.3L/100km, the NX 250 7.5-9.3L/100km and the NX 350h from 5.7-6.8L/100km.

Note that the NX 450h+'s 18.1kW battery can only be charged using an AC outlet, meaning it'll need about 2.5hr to get the job done. Its EV-only range is about 70km on the WLTP score, or 87km using the less-realistic NEDC method.

At 55 litres, the fuel tank will allow the following combined average range between refills: 679km (NX 350 turbo), 797km (NX 250), 1100km (NX 350h) and a barely believable 4231km (NX 450h+, naturally).

The official energy consumption figure is 15.6kWh/100km and I averaged 13.9kWh after a fair mix between urban and open-road driving.

That’s outstanding consumption but the official driving range for this E-Tech’s 60kWh lithium-ion battery is up to 454km, which is similar to the Hyundai Kona Electric but I still had an eye on the range during longer trips.

The E-Tech has a Type 2 CCS charging port which means you can benefit from faster DC charging speeds, however, it can only accept a top speed of 7.4kW on AC power.

On a 7.4kW AC charger, you can go from 0-100 per cent in a little over nine hours but on a standard 2.3kW house plug, that jumps up to over 30-hours. 

On a 130kW DC charger expect to go from 15-80 per cent in as little as 30 minutes, which is pretty convenient if you have access to one.

Sadly, the E-Tech doesn’t have vehicle-to-load capability, so you can’t power or charge bigger items.

The previous NX looked better than it drove.

Based on the previous-gen RAV4, it failed to rise above such humble underpinnings, despite all the extra design, comfort and equipment features Lexus created to help it do just that.

Sure, there were some very appealing things going on, including attractive styling, an intriguing interior, sumptuous seats and lots of kit to play with, but the Toyota's noisy, fidgety and tiring DNA soon became apparent, especially compared to rival luxury midsizers. And some of the dashboard multimedia controls were just down-right madness.

Building on the latest RAV4's set of modern, competent components, however, has fundamentally changed the NX.

For starters, it's much quieter inside. Whether at idle, travelling at speed, or traversing some pretty rough patches of road, the NX at last rides like something you'd expect a Lexus should. And given how noisy and droney most of its European rivals also are on Aussie bitumen, it gives the Japanese contender a handy head-start.

The same applies to how enveloping the soft yet supportive seats are, how settled the suspension feels and how calm the experience is. No previous Lexus SUV has seemed so... refined. Even the really big, expensive ones.

From the driver's point of view, the steering is beautifully balanced, for precise yet reassuring control at speed. This varies according to which grade you're driving, but as a whole, while not sporty like a BMW's nor as fluid as, say, a Mazda CX-5's helm, the Lexus walks that line between easy and involving quite well.

Ditto the handling and roadholding. The lightest of the bunch – the petrol-powered NX 250 and NX 350 turbo – feel ripe and ready for a hustle along a curvy ribbon of road, coming across as taut enough for tight turns yet supple enough to soak up the many bumps and thumps thrown up at them.

Switching to the NX 350h hybrid, there's a greater sense of mass, whether driving the front-drive 2WD or even heavier AWD version. As such, it's still quite dynamic, but not as athletic as the petrol-only models.

In terms of performance, there are no duds – and that's no surprise, as the previous NX's powertrains were pretty sound as well.

Though simply a front-drive version of the RAV4 Edge's 2.5-litre unit, the NX 250 seems more muted than the Toyota's application, and yet is willing to rev hard to hit the power band necessary for it to feel alive. At higher speeds, sometimes the raspy engine can sound a tad noisy when extended, but it's never harsh or rough.

Moving on to the NX 350h, it feels like, well, a heavier and quieter RAV4, not unexpectedly. Silent at take-off speeds, the engine chimes in fairly unobtrusively, providing plenty of oomph along the way, while the CVT seamlessly slices through each (artificial) ratios. After the petrol versions, the steering does seem a little more remote, and you can feel the extra heft through turns, but – again – the basics underneath seem right.

Accelerating hard on the open road does reveal that typical Toyota hybrid engine roar and CVT flair, but only when the throttle is prodded hard. Driven normally, the NX 350h is as smooth, swift and sweet as you'd expect. And definitely in keeping with brand performance expectations.

Finally, there's the NX 450h+ F Sport. At over two tonnes, Toyota and Lexus' plug-in hybrid debutante is not a flyweight by any means, yet having all that extra low-down mass does result in a slightly different driving experience.

Take acceleration: having access to 227kW of power and torque together at very low revs equals lots of thrust right from the get-go. And while it's not sports-SUV rapid, there's certainly enough punch to justify the F Sport badge. Similarly, the low centre of gravity that the 18.1kWh battery pack provides seems to promote hunkered-down road-holding attitude through tight turns, with minimal body roll.

Regardless of which NX you're looking at, quibbles are few. Occasional road and tyre roar are still a little evident over some surfaces; the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep technologies could benefit from some local fine-tuning so they behave a little more nuanced in Australian conditions (and that applies to most luxury SUVs nowadays); and the optional head-up display's capacitive controls located on the steering wheel spokes are distracting, difficult to modulate and needlessly complicated. They're so annoying we'd even untick the Sport Luxury option box to avoid it.

If we had to choose a favourite among the new NXs, it would probably be the NX 350h F Sport, since its adaptive sports chassis provides the best compromise between agility and suppleness; the NX 350 turbo is probably the most fun to drive hard and fast, while the base NX 250 is thoroughly competent and sufficiently luxurious to scare most rivals.

Could this really be a medium-sized Lexus SUV we're talking about?

We're not saying that the latest NX is perfect, but it now provides a very compelling argument not to buy European.

I have mostly loved driving the E-Tech. It's easy to cruise around in and the power is adequate for open-road driving but it prefers an urban environment.

The power can feel a bit lacklustre when you are carrying lots of people or gear but you mostly feel that when you're on a steep incline and trying to keep up your speed.

The steering is crisp and that makes the E-Tech very responsive to drive. The power is delivered smoothly and it feels well-balanced when you put your foot down.

There is more roll in corners than I was expecting but the car still feels firmly planted. 

The ride comfort is great. The suspension is more firm than soft which means you feel the road but it's not a major bother. There is a bit of wind noise at higher speeds, as if the door isn’t properly sealed by a millimetre but it doesn't annoy me. 

The regenerative braking is controlled by paddles on the steering wheel and you have three levels plus a one-pedal function to choose from.

The single pedal set-up is pretty smooth, even in stop/start traffic, but it’s great to be able to quickly change modes on the go.

The smaller size of the E-Tech makes it an easy car to manoeuvre in a small car park. You get front, rear and side parking sensors which is great because the reversing camera isn’t as clear as it should be for this price level. 

The E-Tech has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing in 2022 and has seven airbags, including a front centre airbag.

The EV60 comes with lots of passive safety features including dusk sensing auto LED headlights, LED DRLs, a rear fog light, child safety locks, tyre pressure monitoring, traffic sign recognition tech, an intelligent seatbelt warning, a reversing camera plus front, rear and side parking sensors.

Active safety equipment includes items like blind-spot monitoring, driver attention alert, rear collision warning, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, and adaptive cruise control (with stop and go).

You also get a digital rear view mirror which is essential as the back window is narrow and the camera feed provides a clearer view than you’d have without it.

The rear row also features ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats and three top tethers but two seats will fit best. The front passenger seat also has ISOFIX child seat mounts and a top tether.

AEB with car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction turning assist function is operational from 8.0-80km/h (160km/h for cars) but it is common to see that starting figure sit closer to 5.0km/h.

Lexus now offers a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with roadside assistance.

Furthermore, NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models also feature a 10-year, unlimited kilometre battery warranty.

Service intervals are at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

The NX also includes three years and 45,000km of capped-price servicing, with each one costing owners just $495 – and that's highly competitive pricing for a luxury brand.

Plus, there's also Lexus' 'Encore' aftersales subscription program offering myriad offers and services.

The E-Tech comes with a five-year/100,000km warranty, but it’s usual to see an unlimited km term for the class. The battery is covered by an eight-year or up to 160,000km warranty term.

Service intervals are reasonable at every 12 months or 30,000km and you also get five-years roadside assistance included.

Pricing over the first five years ranges from a low of $230.04 to a high of $519.62, averaging out at pretty competitive $317.72 per service. No capped-price deal is available.