By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(April 9, 2016) I thought the NX 200t F Sport tested last year was a bit expensive with its $45,630 as-tested price. But, as it turned out, this price is well within the range of small luxury crossovers, especially those outfitted for higher performance. Then along comes the hybrid version of the NX, and I have to wonder how you would justify the price of this particular crossover. Here's what I mean.

The base price is $41,310, which is $3,330 more than the base NX 200t F Sport with all-wheel drive. If you figure that the F Sport model is EPA rated at 22 city/27 highway/24 combined, and the hybrid model ups these fuel economy numbers to 33 city/30 highway/32 combined, you are paying $412.50 for each combined mpg increase.



At an average of $2.50 per gallon and 24 mpg you could purchase 1,320 gallons of gas taking you 31,680 miles before you used up the $3,330 difference in price. If you leased the vehicles, that would pay for all the gas you would probably use during the three years you had it.

So, in economic terms the NX 300h makes little sense. Other than bragging rights among your friends, boring people on Facebook with your latest hyper-miling escapades, or sheer environmental smugness, it makes no sense. You’d be better off with the turbocharged engine. But let’s say you’re a dyed-in-the-wool eco warrior blind to everything but “saving the planet.” Does it make sense then? Not really.

If you’re that committed, you’re already in line for Tesla’s Model X, and readying excuses for the inevitable glitches that will arise during your ownership. (“Yes, the Falcon doors have been serviced three times already, but they make entry into the rear so much easier and it adds to the kids’ self-esteem.”) Which makes the buyer of the NX 300 hybrid someone for whom image is worth the extra cash, but they’d rather stick with a sure thing. Like a vehicle with impeccable build quality, a sumptuous interior, and the backing of Toyota.

Plus, you don’t want the harsh ride and sporty overtones of a vehicle like the F Sport. You’d rather drive something more civilized, comfortable, and less likely to attract the attention of the police should you stray above the speed limit.

If that’s the case, you have the perfect stealth school run vehicle in the NX 300h. The hybrid powertrain has a total of 194 horsepower running through an electronic CVT and a drive motor on the rear axle. And this 41 horsepower deficit mean it takes 9.1 seconds to get to 60 mph from a dead stop, a full 2.1 seconds longer than the NX 200t. Fortunately, in around town driving you don’t really notice the difference. Plus, the hybrid powertrain is quieter, which adds to the feeling of luxury.

Also, the combined mileage number is for real. You can get the NX 300h to return an honest 32 mpg (or slightly higher) with just a bit of finesse. Roll into and out of the throttle, and the effect on mileage is immediate. You can see the numbers rise on the digital readout, which does impart a feeling of smugness; that same pride in one’s achievements that, as the Bible saying tell us, “goest before a fall.”

Perhaps the prophets were warning about spending money on technology with a delayed payback, and the effect it has on your retirement plans. Then again, if gas prices suddenly spike (unlikely given the oil glut and rise of fracking) or you compare it to, say, an Audi Q5 hybrid that costs $11,300 more when comparably priced, that price difference doesn’t seem so large. Even if you lard the Lexus up with items like the Qi-compatible wireless charger ($220), electrochromic interior mirror with Homelink ($125), 60/40 power folding rear seats ($400), LED headlights with automatic high beam ($1,160), Luxury Package ($4,505), Navigation Package ($1,875), auto-dimming electrochromic outside mirrors with blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert ($660), Pre-collision System with all-speed cruise control ($900), and destination charge ($940), you still come out $405 below the price of the Audi mentioned above. Throw in the $1,590 All-wheel drive performance credit Lexus gives, and the price difference increases to $1,995.

Fortunately, not everything is about price. If it was, you’d be plunking down your money on the NX 200t — F Sport or not — and pocketing the difference.

The Virtual Driver