Lexus NX 350 discontinued in Japan, will Malaysia follow?

Lexus has decided to drop the NX 350 from its Japanese lineup.

The 2.4-litre turbocharged SUV is no longer available for new orders. The remaining vehicles will continue to be sold until stocks run out, after which the model will be removed from the Japanese lineup.

With the NX 350 discontinued, and the NX 200 not offered in Japan, the Lexus NX range is now fully electrified in its home market. The lineup consists of the NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ PHEV.

Lexus has also streamlined the powertrain options for its flagship LS sedan in Japan. The petrol-powered LS 500 has been discontinued, leaving the LS 500h hybrid as the sole version currently offered.

Mid-cycle update spotted overseas

As Lexus trims back its petrol range in Japan, camouflaged prototypes of the updated NX have been spotted overseas.

The facelift is expected to bring changes to the exterior and technology, including a wider spindle grille, redesigned headlights with a dual-level LED layout, and further updates to the cabin.

However, there is no indication that the same changes to the NX powertrain lineup will be rolled out across every market. In China, for example, Lexus continues to offer the petrol NX 200, hybrid NX 350h and plug-in hybrid NX 400h+, giving buyers three different powertrain options.

What about Malaysia?

With the NX 350 now discontinued in Japan, the question is whether Malaysia will follow.

When the second-generation Lexus NX first arrived in Malaysia, the range consisted of the NX 250 Luxury with a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine and the NX 350 F Sport with a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine. A hybrid version was not offered at launch.

UMW Toyota Motor later introduced the NX 350h Luxury, priced at RM 370,888, replacing the NX 250 Luxury, which was previously priced at RM 375,888.

The current Malaysian lineup therefore consists of the NX 350h Luxury at RM 370,888 and the NX 350 F Sport at RM 390,888.

The NX 350h Luxury pairs a 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with two electric motors, producing a combined 243 hp and 239 Nm. It takes 7.7 seconds to reach 100km/h, while official fuel consumption is rated at 5 litres/100km.

Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, full-LED headlights, a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker Lexus Premium Audio system, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display and Lexus Safety System+.

The NX 350 F Sport remains the performance-oriented option, using a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine that produces 275 hp and 430 Nm. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7 seconds, making it the most powerful version in the current Malaysian NX range.

Verdict

For now, the NX 350 F Sport remains on sale in Malaysia, alongside the hybrid NX 350h Luxury.

The Japanese market has already moved further towards electrification, but Lexus' product lineup varies from one market to another. Whether the NX 350 will eventually be dropped in Malaysia will depend on UMW Toyota Motor's future lineup plans and Lexus' supply strategy.