All-wheel drive is standard on the 2022 NX 250 AWD, NX 350, and NX 450h+, but the NX 250 is FWD only. Keep Reading for more details!
Is Lexus NX All Wheel Drive? This is one of the most searched questions by would-be owners who are about to buy or have just bought Lexus NX. It’s also a question that induces a lot of confusion among those people who do not know much about the new range. Whether you own or plan to buy a Lexus NX, this report is for you.
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All-Wheel Drive vs. Front-Wheel Drive
If you’re in the market for a new car, you’ve probably heard about the All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which is an increasingly common feature on cars these days. But what does it mean? How does it work? And how does it differ from front-wheel drive (FWD)? Here’s what you need to know:
What is All-Wheel Drive?
All-wheel drive is a type of vehicle propulsion that distributes power to all four wheels for maximum traction and control. This means that the engine can send more power to the front or rear wheels as needed, which is ideal for any situation where traction may be limited. All-wheel drive vehicles are often used by drivers who live in areas with harsh winters or mountainous terrain because they can handle these conditions much better than other vehicles.
The downside of all-wheel drive is that it adds weight to your vehicle, which can reduce fuel efficiency and increase maintenance costs over time. In addition, All-Wheel Drive vehicles require more expensive parts than front-wheel drive vehicles when repairs are needed because these parts must be stronger than those used on FWD cars due to their increased weight load requirements.
What is Front-Wheel Drive?
Front-wheel drive is a type of vehicle propulsion system that places the engine in front of the driver (and hence in front of the drive wheels), with power being directed to the rear wheels. Front-wheel drive vehicles are typically characterized by their relatively long wheelbase and high ground clearance, with a low center of gravity for better handling and stability.
Virtually all Front-Wheel Drive cars have an engine positioned over the front axle of the vehicle and are referred to as “front mid-engine”, “front longitudinal” or FF layout. The term FR (for Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive) is used to describe cars that have their engine at the front but not necessarily right at the front. This can be a 4WD/4WD layout such as in some SUVs and off-road vehicles like Lexus LX/GX, or it can be an FWD/RWD layout such as in many hot hatches (e.g., Volkswagen Golf GTI).
The Differences Between AWD And FWD
Both AWD and FWD systems are designed to give drivers better control over their vehicles in bad weather, but there are also significant differences between them. For example, an AWD system will not only help you get around when it’s raining or snowing out; it’ll also help you maintain traction on slippery surfaces like mud and gravel, which makes it great for off-roading. Front-wheel drive vehicles can’t do this—they have less traction than AWD vehicles under most circumstances, so they’re not ideal for off-roading unless you have a lot of experience driving them in those conditions!
Another difference between AWD and FWD systems is that AWD vehicles tend to have higher top speeds than comparable FWD vehicles because they don’t have as much drag from spinning wheels at high speeds (due to having more gears).
While AWD sounds like it would perform better than FWD, both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. AWD generally provides better traction in slippery conditions since more of your tires are receiving power from your vehicle, but this comes at a cost—reduced fuel economy and higher price tag are factors you’ll want to consider before deciding on an AWD or FWD model.
Some things to keep in mind when you’re shopping around:
- If you live in an area with frequent rain or snowfall during the winter months and/or drive on unpaved roads often, an AWD model might be right for you.
- If you want better fuel economy and don’t need serious offroad capabilities, opt for an FWD vehicle instead of AWD or RWD models.
Which Lexus Models Have AWD
When you want dependability, performance, and style, Lexus is the best luxury vehicle available. Lexus makes a variety of cars including the sedans, coupes, and SUVs that you’re familiar with. One question that may be on your mind is which ones have AWD (all-wheel drive) options. The following models have AWD options:
| Models | |
|---|---|
| Lexus IS | IS 300 AWD, IS 350 F SPORT AWD |
| Lexus ES | ES 250 AWD, ES 250 LUXURY AWD, ES 250 ULTRA LUXURY AWD, ES 250 F SPORT AWD, |
| Lexus UX | UX 250h AWD, UX 250h F SPORT AWD, UX 250h LUXURY AWD |
| Lexus NX | NX 250 AWD, NX 350 AWD, NX 350 F SPORT HANDLING AWD, NX 350h AWD, NX 450h+ AWD, NX 450h+ F SPORT HANDLING AWD |
| Lexus RX | RX 450h AWD, RX 450h F SPORT AWD, RX 450h AWD BLACK LINE SPECIAL EDITION, RX 450hL AWD, RX 450hL AWD BLACK LINE SPECIAL EDITION |
| Lexus RC | RC 300 AWD, RC 300 F SPORT AWD |
Which Lexus Models Have FWD
| Models | |
|---|---|
| Lexus ES | ES 350, ES 350 LUXURY, ES 350 ULTRA LUXURY, ES 350 F SPORT, ES 300h, ES 300h LUXURY, ES 300h ULTRA LUXURY, ES 300h F SPORT |
| Lexus UX | UX 200, UX 200 F SPORT, UX 200 LUXURY |
| Lexus NX | NX 250 |
| Lexus RX | RX 350, RX 350 F SPORT, RX 350 BLACK LINE SPECIAL EDITION, RX 350L, RX 350L BLACK LINE SPECIAL EDITION |
Which Lexus Models Have RWD
| Models | |
|---|---|
| Lexus IS | IS 300, IS 350 F SPORT, IS 500 F SPORT PERFORMANCE, IS 500 F SPORT PERFORMANCE PREMIUM, IS 500 F SPORT PERFORMANCE LAUNCH EDITION |
| Lexus LS | LS 500, LS 500 F SPORT |
| Lexus RC | RC 300, RC 300 F SPORT, RC 350, RC 350 F SPORT |
| Lexus LC | LC 500, LC 500h, LC 500 CONVERTIBLE, LC 500 COUPE INSPIRATION SERIES, LC 500 CONVERTIBLE INSPIRATION SERIES |
Which Lexus Models Have 4WD
| Models | |
|---|---|
| Lexus LS | LS 500 AWD, LS 500 F SPORT AWD, LS 500h AWD |
| Lexus GX | GX 460, GX 460 PREMIUM, GX 460 LUXURY, GX 460 BLACK LINE SPECIAL EDITION |
| Lexus LX | LX, LX PREMIUM, LX F SPORT HANDLING, LX LUXURY, LX ULTRA LUXURY |
So Is Lexus NX All Wheel Drive?
The table above shows that all of the Lexus NX models have all-wheel drive, except the NX 300 (entry-level model).
The Lexus NX 300’s chassis and driving characteristics are perfectly suited to complex climatic conditions, which are a mix of snow, ice, and rain. While an AWD vehicle may yield better performance on slippery roads and in inclement weather, the Lexus NX’s all-wheel-drive system will handle much more difficult conditions very well in all scenarios.
Conclusion
- All-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles send engine power to all four wheels, giving the driver more control over the vehicle in challenging road conditions.
- Front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles send engine power to only two wheels, but these are usually the ones in front of the car. This can be helpful in certain weather conditions and when driving on rough terrain.
- The Lexus NX is offered in both FWD and AWD models, so you can choose which one best suits your needs and preferences.
- The FWD option will help drivers save on gas mileage compared with an AWD model, since less power is required for turning the wheels.
- An FWD model will also be more affordable than its AWD counterpart–and yes, it still comes with all of the luxury amenities you’d expect from a Lexus!
