So you've read the review on the introduction model NX300...and now you're looking at the Limited. 

Whats the difference? Well, It's easier to list. 

- You get cool 3-eye LED headlights
- Sequential indicators! (the blinkers that move outwards as they flash)
- Fancy alloys 
- Heads Up Display
- Cooling seats (as well as the standard heating seats on the intro model)
- Memory Seats (3 to be exact)
- Lumbar support! 
- Sunroof (well, Lexus call it a "Moonroof" for "Moonbathing")
- 360 degree camera (like a birds eye view of your car...you can see all around you). 
- Electric folding rear seats 
- Mark Levinson Premium audio 
- Qi wireless charging 
and a few more things...

Worth the small premium? We think so! 

THE KONACLES OF AN INTREPID
Another crossover SUV! (Because Kiwi's can't seem to get enough- they fit right in with our lifestyle).

Seats: 5 
Engine: 1.6L Turbo
Towing: 1,250kg braked & 600kg unbraked
You can find more technical stuff here.
Pros: Safety features without the price tag, stylish! 
Cons: Touch screen infotainment (fingerprints are a pet peeve of mine.) 
Interesting: Spacious with lots of storage space despite the "compactness".

I want to start off by saying this is a fantastic car, however there are a few features I expected the Elite model to have...like an electric boot. 

The sizing of this car is fantastic! I felt like I was driving a raised hatchback...which for me is great. I didn't feel too large on the road...it was easy to park and manoeuvre...but then you have all the storage space of an SUV. It's all wheel drive, then you can lock it into 4 wheel drive! Chuck the Stand Up Paddle board on the Thule roof racks (if you have them) and you're off to the beach with the family. 

​One of the first things I noticed on the Kona was that button on the door handle. You know​? The button to unlock and lock the car without the remote...yeah, a big black button (it'll blend in with a black Kona...but not on this Chalk White). Something more discreet might hopefully come in the future. 

The heads-up display (HUD) was difficult to get used to at first...it's a piece of tinted glass that pops up from your dash...it's quite noticeable and in your line of sight...the size of your speed and other icons on the HUD is quite small and clustered for such a large piece of glass. After a few hours of driving I managed to get used to it...at a push of a button you can make it disappear (so if it's not for you, no biggie). 

The Kona can go. That 1.6L Turbo really throws you into your seat. I must admit, I had it in Sport Mode the whole time as it was so much fun! It's powerful and efficient. The guy next to me at the lights really wasn't expecting to be dragged off by this little SUV! 

After driving around for a bit and getting used to the Kona, I decided to park up. I put the Kona into reverse to parallel park...and the wing mirrors did not tilt down. Yes, there are cameras...but I need an old fashioned mirror to see the curb. If I had more time with the car, I'm sure I will learn to trust the cameras. 

Hyundai have really nailed it. This is a car perfect for everyone. It doesn't matter who you are, this car covers it all. 

The Lexus NX turbocharged range has just gone through a facelift...and a name change! (Used to be called the NX200t..now it's the NX300- why? Who knows and it doesn't matter). 

Seats: 5 
Engine: 2L Turbo
Towing: 1,500kg braked & 750kg unbraked
You can find more technical stuff here.
Pros: Every safety feature you'll ever need, conveniently placed buttons,  4 year service and warranty plan (and 4 years international and domestic airport parking if bought from Lexus of Auckland City) 
Cons: No heads-up display (we were okay with moving our eye line down 10cm to look at our speed.)
Interesting: The hybrid option is the biggest seller, despite the small premium. We will review the hybrid model next to compare. 


Lexus know how to make a beautiful vehicle, no doubt about it. Lexus’s current advertising "After we perfected luxury, we turbo charged it" is very accurate. The ride is smooth yet powerful. The cabin is quiet yet engaging. “Nice” is a good word for it

If you have a moment, look up the "Lexus Yet Philosophy". 

The hype at the moment seems to be Apple CarPlay. This car doesn't have it, simply because it doesn't need it.
The Infotainment System (the centre screen that has the navigation, audio, everything else on it) is so well equipped that it is able to do everything CarPlay can do. We tested this with a iPhone X...and we didn't even need to plug the phone in! The car has Navigation already built in. You can receive and send texts. You can answer calls and make calls. You can use Siri and you can even play music from Spotify and flick between songs by the controls on your steering wheel! 
For you non-iPhone users, there is Miracast which connects via WiFi. We are yet to try this - when we get our hands on a Samsung, we will let you know. 

Seriously- who needs real leather seats when you can have synthetic leather that looks and feels like leather but is actually stronger and more durable. The seats are comfortable and soft.
Even the seat cushions are made from foam derived from castor seeds, how cool is that! Someone has taken a lot of care in the designing of this car.
Everything is electronically controlled. No pesky manual levers to get to the right height. Even the steering wheel is controlled by a little electronic toggle. Nice. 

Lexus have designed a great subcompact sized SUV here. There is more than enough room for the little ones, a dog and the bags for a weekend away at the beach. You feel high on the road without feeling large. It is easy to handle and you feel very connected while driving. Everything is in reach and feels “nice” to touch. You don't have to go out of your way to change a setting and perhaps the only little annoyance is not being able to access some options on the infotainment system (like entering an address on the navigation) while driving, however I suppose this is a safety feature and therefore there for a reason. Once you are stopped at traffic lights or you decide to pull over, you have full access to all the options so it's no biggie.

​The NX300 has all-speed radar cruise control, lane departure alert and steering assist, pre-crash warning, 8 airbags, blind spot monitors and a 5 star ANCAP safety rating. 

​Thanks to Lexus of Auckland City for providing this vehicle for us to Review. Contact them at:
www.lexusofaucklandcity.co.nz  


Looking at the "Limited" model? Just click here!

We got a close up look from the hot "seat"!
And yes...the door trim is material printed with a carbon fibre print...

Seats: 8 (that's right...8!) 
Engine: 5.7L V8 - (petrol)
Towing: 3,500kg (braked), 750kg (unbraked)
Pros: Hydraulic suspension, trailer sway control, crawl control with turn assist. 
Cons: Say goodbye to your Auckland house deposit when refuelling (or buy some shares at your local BP- could be cheaper)
Interesting: It's petrol! There is a diesel option (LX450d) but it only seats 5! Why? Because a lot of weight reduction had to go on so it was still classed as a car...and not a Class 2 Truck! 

Huntaway's, L&P, off-roading and DIY. Can you get any more Kiwi? 

The LX570 is useful luxury. Tow the boat, get to the other side of the farm, chuck the dog in the boot, stargaze out the roof...all while surrounded by Lexus Luxury. 

Now, I must admit, the LX is a large vehicle. I did have a "where did the sun go?!" moment when it drove up...and then it took me about half a day of driving to get used to the size...but after that, I was whizzing around the tiny back streets in Remuera giving all the school mum's in their Range Rovers a run for their money. 

Finding a second hand one of these is pretty rare as most people hold onto them. They are strong, practical and an all rounder. The only reason someone would sell one is to upgrade to a newer one.

Now, you're probably like "it's old and an old shape blah blah"...but I still think this shape is in. It still looks like its built for purpose and style...unlike some other brands (which look like they should be driving around some young boyband on tour or they should belong in the army). 


End of the road, meet top of the line (a.k.a the Lexus LX570).