The spindle grille will continue to be around.
The Lexus lineup was lacking a compact crossover in 2014. With the introduction of the Lexus NX model year 2015, the Japanese luxury brand made a change. The model’s sales peaked in 2018, and fell to 55,785 from 62,079 in 2020. The second-generation model is in development. This was evident by a series of spy shots. Motor.es colleagues created an unofficial rendering that previews the crossover’s new design.
Lexus engineers were able to cover the new NX with great skill, concealing many details of the crossover’s design underneath panels and camouflage. The spy photos clearly show that the crossover received an evolutionary design. This is the route the rendering follows. The rendering shows that the model retains the controversial spindle grille. Below the thin-slit headlights, styled intakes are pushed to lower bumper corners. This side profile keeps the crossover’s bold body lines intact.
The interior is not shown in this rendering. It should be substantially updated over the model currently being used. The size of the infotainment screen may increase to as much as 14 inches. Unfortunately, the rendering does not show the rear. It will likely look the same as the current model if the rest of the redesign is followed. Customers can expect new bumpers and revised taillights.
The next-gen NX and the ToyotaRAV4 will share their platform – both utilizing Toyota’s TNGA–K platform. Lexus could also steal bits of the RAV4, including the 2.5-liter four cylinder. The NX could get the RAV4 Prime’s hybrid engine, while the Camry’s optional upgrade to the 3.5-liter V6 is available. The new Lexus model should be unveiled by Lexus sometime in the latter part of the year, before going on sale for the model year 2022.