CarExpert Choice winner: Best Luxury Mid-Size Car
It beat out the Genesis G70 sedan and Shooting Brake, as well as the Lexus ES sedan.
The 3 Series is one of several winning models from BMW in our inaugural awards, joining the 1 Series hatch, and the X1 and iX1 small SUVs.
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For decades, the BMW 3 Series has been the benchmark against which other brands' offerings in this segment are measured. That's still the case today.
It offers the sparkling performance and dynamics expected of a sports sedan from the Bavarian brand, as well as the slick technology that BMW has become known for in recent years.
You can also still get the 3 Series with an inline six and a wagon body style, though sadly not together – unless you step up to the high-performance M3 Touring, which is tempting…
Rivals have come and gone (or lingered without much success), but the 3 Series continues to stand tall. There's a reason for that – it's bloody good.
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2025 Lexus NX350h Sports Luxury FWD review
Lexus NX Pros Lexus NX Cons Among mid-size premium SUVs available in Australia, the Lexus NX is outsold only by the electric Tesla Model Y. Launched in 2022, the second-generation NX has really resonated with Australian buyers, proving more popular than rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. There's a sprawling range of NXs on offer, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, four powertrains (two petrols, one hybrid and one plug-in hybrid) and four trim levels (base, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury). A hefty chunk of the NX range undercuts even the cheapest BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC, which along with the availability of a fuel-sipping hybrid goes some way to explaining the NX's superior sales performance in our market. Our tester was an NX350h Sports Luxury. Think of the Sports Luxury as one of the forks in the road you can take above the regular NX350h Luxury, with less of a sporty look than the F Sport but the same price tag. WATCH: Paul's video review on the 2022 Lexus NX350h F Sport Eagle-eyed readers will note this is the exact same vehicle I reviewed late in 2022. While it's not typical for vehicles to remain on press fleets for this long, there have been no changes of note to the NX since then. Besides, we're always in low-mileage examples, while this one had been broken in a bit more, giving us a chance to see how it felt after a couple of years of use. The NX hasn't changed since 2022, but have our feelings towards it changed? While it costs thousands less than even a base X3 or GLC, the NX350h Sports Luxury FWD is in turn undercut – if only by a few hundred dollars – by the entry-level Genesis GV70 which guzzles considerably more fuel but packs more features. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The NX's interior is thoroughly contemporary, which is both good (a substantial touchscreen) and not so good (smudge-prone gloss black trim slathered all over the centre stack and console). There are also gimmicky elements like e-latch doors, though these feel good to operate – pointless, but good. Material quality for the most part is excellent. The dash top, for example, is so soft and squidgy you could use it for a child's playground. There's soft-touch trim on the sides of the centre console, with hard plastic reserved only for the lowest reaches of the dash and doors. Unusually, for something that otherwise feels tight as a drum, the NX's indicator stalk snaps into place and feels particularly cheap. In my previous review, I noted the stalks felt well-damped, so is this wear and tear? There's some lovely wood trim on the doors. We would have liked to have seen more of this and less of the gloss black stuff, particularly given this is the most luxurious NX. The ambient lighting also elevates the cabin, though don't go expecting the multi-colour, Macau-at-night light shows of a Mercedes-Benz – Lexus keeps it simple. The 14-inch touchscreen runs Lexus' latest infotainment system, which is also the Toyota brand's – there are no unique graphics for Lexus. That means it'll be familiar to those upgrading from a Toyota, and it's still a huge step up from Lexus' last-generation infotainment with crisp, clear graphics and quick response times. There's a surround-view camera with a transparent chassis view. The camera resolution isn't as good as in, say, an X3 or GV70, but it's still decent. There's a head-up display, while the instruments comprise a pair of analogue gauges plus an 8.0-inch screen in the middle. The central circle theme harkens back to Lexus models like the LFA, though the washed-out blue look gives off 'older Lexus' vibes. On the steering wheel there are four arrow switches on each side, with pages buttons beneath them controlling what these do. The idea, surely, is to reduce the number of switches needed on the steering wheel, and you do get used to them. But while there are fewer buttons, it does feel like there are more button pushes required. Over on the right of the steering wheel you'll find a little cubby, as well as buttons for the trip computer and instrument cluster brightness adjustment. If you're looking for the camera button, it's sitting all alone next to the air-conditioning vents. Also, some functions like the heated seats can only be accessed via the touchscreen or through voice commands. At least Lexus has kept tactile knobs for temperature adjustment, even if other climate functions are now (anchored) on the touchscreen. Below the climate controls is a useless storage cubby, which sits above the wireless phone charger. This one doesn't even have a cover, while under the wireless phone charger you'll find another cubby which can be concealed. There's a fairly deep centre console bin, and the lid opens both ways. There are also bottle holders in the doors that fit 1L bottles. The Mark Levinson sound system is disappointing for a name-brand sound system, and isn't as good as, say, a Bang & Olufsen system. We fiddled with some of the audio settings but it never quite lived up to its reputation. But in true Lexus fashion the front seats are comfortable, finished in supple leather and featuring heating, ventilation and power adjustment, plus memory for the driver. Step into the back and there's a comfortable second row, though it's not a class leader when it comes to sheer size. A small driveline hump eats into centre-seat legroom, but there are plenty of amenities: air vents, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, a 12V outlet, and two USB-C outlets, as well as bottle holders in the doors and map pockets on the seatbacks. Child seats can be secured using one of three top-tether or two ISOFIX anchor points. The rear bench splits and folds 60/40, increasing cargo space from 520 litres to 1141L. Under the boot floor you won't find a spare – just a tyre repair kit – but there's a series of compartments to contain your odds and ends. There are also netted sections on either side of the boot floor that can help stop your groceries and such from flying around. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool If you want fuel economy this good in a mid-size premium SUV, it's this or an Audi Q5 diesel. Over a loop consisting of inner-city, suburban and highway driving, we averaged a thrifty 4.9 litres per 100km – 0.1L/100km better than the official combined claim. Last time we had this car, we saw fuel economy of 5.8L/100km over the course of a week. This time, it averaged a mere 5.3L/100km. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool You might expect a Lexus to offer a plush ride, but the NX350h Sports Luxury doesn't deliver in this respect. Its ride quality is arguably let down by its use of larger (20-inch) alloy wheels than the Luxury, which features 18s, and the lack of adaptive dampers as seen in the F Sport. The result is a ride that feels stiff and lumpy, and on rougher surfaces it feels a bit unsettled. It also crashes over some bumps, and you'll feel a firm thwack on small potholes. Despite this, the NX350h Sports Luxury doesn't feel all that sporty, which makes the way it rides harder to overlook. It takes a moment to settle over some undulations, with a little bit of float felt. Mind you, the NX350h feels poised – if unexciting – when taken on a winding road. The steering is nicely weighted, but there isn't much in the way of feel. The NX350h doesn't sound all that sporty either, with a bit of a grumbly engine note as we've come to expect from four-cylinder Lexus models. At least it doesn't intrude too much into the cabin, with noise suppression expectedly good for a Lexus. That includes suppression of wind and tyre noise. The powertrain is the best part of the NX350h's dynamic package, and not just because of the terrific fuel economy it can achieve. There are smooth transitions between electric and petrol power, and the NX350h is able to run purely on electric power at low speeds with the petrol engine kicking in when you demand more. Tap the brakes and regenerative braking tops up the battery. The NX350h's driver assists work well. The lane-keep assist gently nudges you back into your lane without constantly feeling intrusive, while activating adaptive cruise control allows you to use Lane Tracing Assist. This is effectively a lane-centring aid, and it managed to keep us more centred than a guided meditation session. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The NX range is enormous, so let's zero in on the NX350h lineup specifically including our Sports Luxury tester. 2025 Lexus NX350h Luxury equipment highlights: Over the Luxury, the Sports Luxury adds: Over the Luxury, the F Sport adds: Option packages – or Enhancement Packs, in Lexus parlance – are available for NX350h models, but only those with all-wheel drive. That means if you opt for a front-wheel drive NX350h, you can't get equipment like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and panoramic sunroof, even in the fancy Sports Luxury. The NX350h Luxury FWD also can't be brought up closer to the F Sport and Sports Luxury with equipment like a wireless phone charger and hands-free power tailgate. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The Lexus NX has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2022. Standard safety equipment on NX350h models includes: Sports Luxury and F Sport trims also receive a surround-view camera. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The Lexus NX is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. NX buyers also get three years of free Lexus Encore access, which includes access to complimentary loan cars when you service your vehicle. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool Among the sprawling Lexus NX range, the hybrid NX350h is the sweet spot in terms of performance, efficiency and price. The NX350h Sports Luxury, however, isn't the one to get. Those 20-inch wheels exact a toll on ride quality, and there's no adaptive suspension like in the F Sport. It's a shame as the ES sedan and larger RX crossover show how Lexus can take a shared Toyota platform and develop something that still has a plush ride. If you can live without some of the Sports Luxury's features, an NX350h Luxury is an appealing option that undercuts rivals while offering the solid feel and thrifty hybrid fuel economy expected of a Lexus. Otherwise, if you're happy to spend more at the pump, a GV70 gives you more standard kit and a more dynamic (and comfortable) drive. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Lexus NX. Click here to get a great Explore the Lexus NX showroom Content originally sourced from: NX Pros Lexus NX Cons Among mid-size premium SUVs available in Australia, the Lexus NX is outsold only by the electric Tesla Model Y. Launched in 2022, the second-generation NX has really resonated with Australian buyers, proving more popular than rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. There's a sprawling range of NXs on offer, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, four powertrains (two petrols, one hybrid and one plug-in hybrid) and four trim levels (base, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury). A hefty chunk of the NX range undercuts even the cheapest BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC, which along with the availability of a fuel-sipping hybrid goes some way to explaining the NX's superior sales performance in our market. Our tester was an NX350h Sports Luxury. Think of the Sports Luxury as one of the forks in the road you can take above the regular NX350h Luxury, with less of a sporty look than the F Sport but the same price tag. WATCH: Paul's video review on the 2022 Lexus NX350h F Sport Eagle-eyed readers will note this is the exact same vehicle I reviewed late in 2022. While it's not typical for vehicles to remain on press fleets for this long, there have been no changes of note to the NX since then. Besides, we're always in low-mileage examples, while this one had been broken in a bit more, giving us a chance to see how it felt after a couple of years of use. The NX hasn't changed since 2022, but have our feelings towards it changed? While it costs thousands less than even a base X3 or GLC, the NX350h Sports Luxury FWD is in turn undercut – if only by a few hundred dollars – by the entry-level Genesis GV70 which guzzles considerably more fuel but packs more features. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The NX's interior is thoroughly contemporary, which is both good (a substantial touchscreen) and not so good (smudge-prone gloss black trim slathered all over the centre stack and console). There are also gimmicky elements like e-latch doors, though these feel good to operate – pointless, but good. Material quality for the most part is excellent. The dash top, for example, is so soft and squidgy you could use it for a child's playground. There's soft-touch trim on the sides of the centre console, with hard plastic reserved only for the lowest reaches of the dash and doors. Unusually, for something that otherwise feels tight as a drum, the NX's indicator stalk snaps into place and feels particularly cheap. In my previous review, I noted the stalks felt well-damped, so is this wear and tear? There's some lovely wood trim on the doors. We would have liked to have seen more of this and less of the gloss black stuff, particularly given this is the most luxurious NX. The ambient lighting also elevates the cabin, though don't go expecting the multi-colour, Macau-at-night light shows of a Mercedes-Benz – Lexus keeps it simple. The 14-inch touchscreen runs Lexus' latest infotainment system, which is also the Toyota brand's – there are no unique graphics for Lexus. That means it'll be familiar to those upgrading from a Toyota, and it's still a huge step up from Lexus' last-generation infotainment with crisp, clear graphics and quick response times. There's a surround-view camera with a transparent chassis view. The camera resolution isn't as good as in, say, an X3 or GV70, but it's still decent. There's a head-up display, while the instruments comprise a pair of analogue gauges plus an 8.0-inch screen in the middle. The central circle theme harkens back to Lexus models like the LFA, though the washed-out blue look gives off 'older Lexus' vibes. On the steering wheel there are four arrow switches on each side, with pages buttons beneath them controlling what these do. The idea, surely, is to reduce the number of switches needed on the steering wheel, and you do get used to them. But while there are fewer buttons, it does feel like there are more button pushes required. Over on the right of the steering wheel you'll find a little cubby, as well as buttons for the trip computer and instrument cluster brightness adjustment. If you're looking for the camera button, it's sitting all alone next to the air-conditioning vents. Also, some functions like the heated seats can only be accessed via the touchscreen or through voice commands. At least Lexus has kept tactile knobs for temperature adjustment, even if other climate functions are now (anchored) on the touchscreen. Below the climate controls is a useless storage cubby, which sits above the wireless phone charger. This one doesn't even have a cover, while under the wireless phone charger you'll find another cubby which can be concealed. There's a fairly deep centre console bin, and the lid opens both ways. There are also bottle holders in the doors that fit 1L bottles. The Mark Levinson sound system is disappointing for a name-brand sound system, and isn't as good as, say, a Bang & Olufsen system. We fiddled with some of the audio settings but it never quite lived up to its reputation. But in true Lexus fashion the front seats are comfortable, finished in supple leather and featuring heating, ventilation and power adjustment, plus memory for the driver. Step into the back and there's a comfortable second row, though it's not a class leader when it comes to sheer size. A small driveline hump eats into centre-seat legroom, but there are plenty of amenities: air vents, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, a 12V outlet, and two USB-C outlets, as well as bottle holders in the doors and map pockets on the seatbacks. Child seats can be secured using one of three top-tether or two ISOFIX anchor points. The rear bench splits and folds 60/40, increasing cargo space from 520 litres to 1141L. Under the boot floor you won't find a spare – just a tyre repair kit – but there's a series of compartments to contain your odds and ends. There are also netted sections on either side of the boot floor that can help stop your groceries and such from flying around. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool If you want fuel economy this good in a mid-size premium SUV, it's this or an Audi Q5 diesel. Over a loop consisting of inner-city, suburban and highway driving, we averaged a thrifty 4.9 litres per 100km – 0.1L/100km better than the official combined claim. Last time we had this car, we saw fuel economy of 5.8L/100km over the course of a week. This time, it averaged a mere 5.3L/100km. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool You might expect a Lexus to offer a plush ride, but the NX350h Sports Luxury doesn't deliver in this respect. Its ride quality is arguably let down by its use of larger (20-inch) alloy wheels than the Luxury, which features 18s, and the lack of adaptive dampers as seen in the F Sport. The result is a ride that feels stiff and lumpy, and on rougher surfaces it feels a bit unsettled. It also crashes over some bumps, and you'll feel a firm thwack on small potholes. Despite this, the NX350h Sports Luxury doesn't feel all that sporty, which makes the way it rides harder to overlook. It takes a moment to settle over some undulations, with a little bit of float felt. Mind you, the NX350h feels poised – if unexciting – when taken on a winding road. The steering is nicely weighted, but there isn't much in the way of feel. The NX350h doesn't sound all that sporty either, with a bit of a grumbly engine note as we've come to expect from four-cylinder Lexus models. At least it doesn't intrude too much into the cabin, with noise suppression expectedly good for a Lexus. That includes suppression of wind and tyre noise. The powertrain is the best part of the NX350h's dynamic package, and not just because of the terrific fuel economy it can achieve. There are smooth transitions between electric and petrol power, and the NX350h is able to run purely on electric power at low speeds with the petrol engine kicking in when you demand more. Tap the brakes and regenerative braking tops up the battery. The NX350h's driver assists work well. The lane-keep assist gently nudges you back into your lane without constantly feeling intrusive, while activating adaptive cruise control allows you to use Lane Tracing Assist. This is effectively a lane-centring aid, and it managed to keep us more centred than a guided meditation session. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The NX range is enormous, so let's zero in on the NX350h lineup specifically including our Sports Luxury tester. 2025 Lexus NX350h Luxury equipment highlights: Over the Luxury, the Sports Luxury adds: Over the Luxury, the F Sport adds: Option packages – or Enhancement Packs, in Lexus parlance – are available for NX350h models, but only those with all-wheel drive. That means if you opt for a front-wheel drive NX350h, you can't get equipment like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and panoramic sunroof, even in the fancy Sports Luxury. The NX350h Luxury FWD also can't be brought up closer to the F Sport and Sports Luxury with equipment like a wireless phone charger and hands-free power tailgate. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The Lexus NX has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2022. Standard safety equipment on NX350h models includes: Sports Luxury and F Sport trims also receive a surround-view camera. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The Lexus NX is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. NX buyers also get three years of free Lexus Encore access, which includes access to complimentary loan cars when you service your vehicle. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool Among the sprawling Lexus NX range, the hybrid NX350h is the sweet spot in terms of performance, efficiency and price. The NX350h Sports Luxury, however, isn't the one to get. Those 20-inch wheels exact a toll on ride quality, and there's no adaptive suspension like in the F Sport. It's a shame as the ES sedan and larger RX crossover show how Lexus can take a shared Toyota platform and develop something that still has a plush ride. If you can live without some of the Sports Luxury's features, an NX350h Luxury is an appealing option that undercuts rivals while offering the solid feel and thrifty hybrid fuel economy expected of a Lexus. Otherwise, if you're happy to spend more at the pump, a GV70 gives you more standard kit and a more dynamic (and comfortable) drive. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Lexus NX. Click here to get a great Explore the Lexus NX showroom Content originally sourced from: NX Pros Lexus NX Cons Among mid-size premium SUVs available in Australia, the Lexus NX is outsold only by the electric Tesla Model Y. Launched in 2022, the second-generation NX has really resonated with Australian buyers, proving more popular than rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. There's a sprawling range of NXs on offer, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, four powertrains (two petrols, one hybrid and one plug-in hybrid) and four trim levels (base, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury). A hefty chunk of the NX range undercuts even the cheapest BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC, which along with the availability of a fuel-sipping hybrid goes some way to explaining the NX's superior sales performance in our market. Our tester was an NX350h Sports Luxury. Think of the Sports Luxury as one of the forks in the road you can take above the regular NX350h Luxury, with less of a sporty look than the F Sport but the same price tag. WATCH: Paul's video review on the 2022 Lexus NX350h F Sport Eagle-eyed readers will note this is the exact same vehicle I reviewed late in 2022. While it's not typical for vehicles to remain on press fleets for this long, there have been no changes of note to the NX since then. Besides, we're always in low-mileage examples, while this one had been broken in a bit more, giving us a chance to see how it felt after a couple of years of use. The NX hasn't changed since 2022, but have our feelings towards it changed? While it costs thousands less than even a base X3 or GLC, the NX350h Sports Luxury FWD is in turn undercut – if only by a few hundred dollars – by the entry-level Genesis GV70 which guzzles considerably more fuel but packs more features. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The NX's interior is thoroughly contemporary, which is both good (a substantial touchscreen) and not so good (smudge-prone gloss black trim slathered all over the centre stack and console). There are also gimmicky elements like e-latch doors, though these feel good to operate – pointless, but good. Material quality for the most part is excellent. The dash top, for example, is so soft and squidgy you could use it for a child's playground. There's soft-touch trim on the sides of the centre console, with hard plastic reserved only for the lowest reaches of the dash and doors. Unusually, for something that otherwise feels tight as a drum, the NX's indicator stalk snaps into place and feels particularly cheap. In my previous review, I noted the stalks felt well-damped, so is this wear and tear? There's some lovely wood trim on the doors. We would have liked to have seen more of this and less of the gloss black stuff, particularly given this is the most luxurious NX. The ambient lighting also elevates the cabin, though don't go expecting the multi-colour, Macau-at-night light shows of a Mercedes-Benz – Lexus keeps it simple. The 14-inch touchscreen runs Lexus' latest infotainment system, which is also the Toyota brand's – there are no unique graphics for Lexus. That means it'll be familiar to those upgrading from a Toyota, and it's still a huge step up from Lexus' last-generation infotainment with crisp, clear graphics and quick response times. There's a surround-view camera with a transparent chassis view. The camera resolution isn't as good as in, say, an X3 or GV70, but it's still decent. There's a head-up display, while the instruments comprise a pair of analogue gauges plus an 8.0-inch screen in the middle. The central circle theme harkens back to Lexus models like the LFA, though the washed-out blue look gives off 'older Lexus' vibes. On the steering wheel there are four arrow switches on each side, with pages buttons beneath them controlling what these do. The idea, surely, is to reduce the number of switches needed on the steering wheel, and you do get used to them. But while there are fewer buttons, it does feel like there are more button pushes required. Over on the right of the steering wheel you'll find a little cubby, as well as buttons for the trip computer and instrument cluster brightness adjustment. If you're looking for the camera button, it's sitting all alone next to the air-conditioning vents. Also, some functions like the heated seats can only be accessed via the touchscreen or through voice commands. At least Lexus has kept tactile knobs for temperature adjustment, even if other climate functions are now (anchored) on the touchscreen. Below the climate controls is a useless storage cubby, which sits above the wireless phone charger. This one doesn't even have a cover, while under the wireless phone charger you'll find another cubby which can be concealed. There's a fairly deep centre console bin, and the lid opens both ways. There are also bottle holders in the doors that fit 1L bottles. The Mark Levinson sound system is disappointing for a name-brand sound system, and isn't as good as, say, a Bang & Olufsen system. We fiddled with some of the audio settings but it never quite lived up to its reputation. But in true Lexus fashion the front seats are comfortable, finished in supple leather and featuring heating, ventilation and power adjustment, plus memory for the driver. Step into the back and there's a comfortable second row, though it's not a class leader when it comes to sheer size. A small driveline hump eats into centre-seat legroom, but there are plenty of amenities: air vents, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, a 12V outlet, and two USB-C outlets, as well as bottle holders in the doors and map pockets on the seatbacks. Child seats can be secured using one of three top-tether or two ISOFIX anchor points. The rear bench splits and folds 60/40, increasing cargo space from 520 litres to 1141L. Under the boot floor you won't find a spare – just a tyre repair kit – but there's a series of compartments to contain your odds and ends. There are also netted sections on either side of the boot floor that can help stop your groceries and such from flying around. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool If you want fuel economy this good in a mid-size premium SUV, it's this or an Audi Q5 diesel. Over a loop consisting of inner-city, suburban and highway driving, we averaged a thrifty 4.9 litres per 100km – 0.1L/100km better than the official combined claim. Last time we had this car, we saw fuel economy of 5.8L/100km over the course of a week. This time, it averaged a mere 5.3L/100km. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool You might expect a Lexus to offer a plush ride, but the NX350h Sports Luxury doesn't deliver in this respect. Its ride quality is arguably let down by its use of larger (20-inch) alloy wheels than the Luxury, which features 18s, and the lack of adaptive dampers as seen in the F Sport. The result is a ride that feels stiff and lumpy, and on rougher surfaces it feels a bit unsettled. It also crashes over some bumps, and you'll feel a firm thwack on small potholes. Despite this, the NX350h Sports Luxury doesn't feel all that sporty, which makes the way it rides harder to overlook. It takes a moment to settle over some undulations, with a little bit of float felt. Mind you, the NX350h feels poised – if unexciting – when taken on a winding road. The steering is nicely weighted, but there isn't much in the way of feel. The NX350h doesn't sound all that sporty either, with a bit of a grumbly engine note as we've come to expect from four-cylinder Lexus models. At least it doesn't intrude too much into the cabin, with noise suppression expectedly good for a Lexus. That includes suppression of wind and tyre noise. The powertrain is the best part of the NX350h's dynamic package, and not just because of the terrific fuel economy it can achieve. There are smooth transitions between electric and petrol power, and the NX350h is able to run purely on electric power at low speeds with the petrol engine kicking in when you demand more. Tap the brakes and regenerative braking tops up the battery. The NX350h's driver assists work well. The lane-keep assist gently nudges you back into your lane without constantly feeling intrusive, while activating adaptive cruise control allows you to use Lane Tracing Assist. This is effectively a lane-centring aid, and it managed to keep us more centred than a guided meditation session. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The NX range is enormous, so let's zero in on the NX350h lineup specifically including our Sports Luxury tester. 2025 Lexus NX350h Luxury equipment highlights: Over the Luxury, the Sports Luxury adds: Over the Luxury, the F Sport adds: Option packages – or Enhancement Packs, in Lexus parlance – are available for NX350h models, but only those with all-wheel drive. That means if you opt for a front-wheel drive NX350h, you can't get equipment like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and panoramic sunroof, even in the fancy Sports Luxury. The NX350h Luxury FWD also can't be brought up closer to the F Sport and Sports Luxury with equipment like a wireless phone charger and hands-free power tailgate. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The Lexus NX has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2022. Standard safety equipment on NX350h models includes: Sports Luxury and F Sport trims also receive a surround-view camera. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The Lexus NX is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. NX buyers also get three years of free Lexus Encore access, which includes access to complimentary loan cars when you service your vehicle. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool Among the sprawling Lexus NX range, the hybrid NX350h is the sweet spot in terms of performance, efficiency and price. The NX350h Sports Luxury, however, isn't the one to get. Those 20-inch wheels exact a toll on ride quality, and there's no adaptive suspension like in the F Sport. It's a shame as the ES sedan and larger RX crossover show how Lexus can take a shared Toyota platform and develop something that still has a plush ride. If you can live without some of the Sports Luxury's features, an NX350h Luxury is an appealing option that undercuts rivals while offering the solid feel and thrifty hybrid fuel economy expected of a Lexus. Otherwise, if you're happy to spend more at the pump, a GV70 gives you more standard kit and a more dynamic (and comfortable) drive. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Lexus NX. Click here to get a great Explore the Lexus NX showroom Content originally sourced from: NX Pros Lexus NX Cons Among mid-size premium SUVs available in Australia, the Lexus NX is outsold only by the electric Tesla Model Y. Launched in 2022, the second-generation NX has really resonated with Australian buyers, proving more popular than rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. There's a sprawling range of NXs on offer, with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, four powertrains (two petrols, one hybrid and one plug-in hybrid) and four trim levels (base, Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury). A hefty chunk of the NX range undercuts even the cheapest BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC, which along with the availability of a fuel-sipping hybrid goes some way to explaining the NX's superior sales performance in our market. Our tester was an NX350h Sports Luxury. Think of the Sports Luxury as one of the forks in the road you can take above the regular NX350h Luxury, with less of a sporty look than the F Sport but the same price tag. WATCH: Paul's video review on the 2022 Lexus NX350h F Sport Eagle-eyed readers will note this is the exact same vehicle I reviewed late in 2022. While it's not typical for vehicles to remain on press fleets for this long, there have been no changes of note to the NX since then. Besides, we're always in low-mileage examples, while this one had been broken in a bit more, giving us a chance to see how it felt after a couple of years of use. The NX hasn't changed since 2022, but have our feelings towards it changed? While it costs thousands less than even a base X3 or GLC, the NX350h Sports Luxury FWD is in turn undercut – if only by a few hundred dollars – by the entry-level Genesis GV70 which guzzles considerably more fuel but packs more features. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The NX's interior is thoroughly contemporary, which is both good (a substantial touchscreen) and not so good (smudge-prone gloss black trim slathered all over the centre stack and console). There are also gimmicky elements like e-latch doors, though these feel good to operate – pointless, but good. Material quality for the most part is excellent. The dash top, for example, is so soft and squidgy you could use it for a child's playground. There's soft-touch trim on the sides of the centre console, with hard plastic reserved only for the lowest reaches of the dash and doors. Unusually, for something that otherwise feels tight as a drum, the NX's indicator stalk snaps into place and feels particularly cheap. In my previous review, I noted the stalks felt well-damped, so is this wear and tear? There's some lovely wood trim on the doors. We would have liked to have seen more of this and less of the gloss black stuff, particularly given this is the most luxurious NX. The ambient lighting also elevates the cabin, though don't go expecting the multi-colour, Macau-at-night light shows of a Mercedes-Benz – Lexus keeps it simple. The 14-inch touchscreen runs Lexus' latest infotainment system, which is also the Toyota brand's – there are no unique graphics for Lexus. That means it'll be familiar to those upgrading from a Toyota, and it's still a huge step up from Lexus' last-generation infotainment with crisp, clear graphics and quick response times. There's a surround-view camera with a transparent chassis view. The camera resolution isn't as good as in, say, an X3 or GV70, but it's still decent. There's a head-up display, while the instruments comprise a pair of analogue gauges plus an 8.0-inch screen in the middle. The central circle theme harkens back to Lexus models like the LFA, though the washed-out blue look gives off 'older Lexus' vibes. On the steering wheel there are four arrow switches on each side, with pages buttons beneath them controlling what these do. The idea, surely, is to reduce the number of switches needed on the steering wheel, and you do get used to them. But while there are fewer buttons, it does feel like there are more button pushes required. Over on the right of the steering wheel you'll find a little cubby, as well as buttons for the trip computer and instrument cluster brightness adjustment. If you're looking for the camera button, it's sitting all alone next to the air-conditioning vents. Also, some functions like the heated seats can only be accessed via the touchscreen or through voice commands. At least Lexus has kept tactile knobs for temperature adjustment, even if other climate functions are now (anchored) on the touchscreen. Below the climate controls is a useless storage cubby, which sits above the wireless phone charger. This one doesn't even have a cover, while under the wireless phone charger you'll find another cubby which can be concealed. There's a fairly deep centre console bin, and the lid opens both ways. There are also bottle holders in the doors that fit 1L bottles. The Mark Levinson sound system is disappointing for a name-brand sound system, and isn't as good as, say, a Bang & Olufsen system. We fiddled with some of the audio settings but it never quite lived up to its reputation. But in true Lexus fashion the front seats are comfortable, finished in supple leather and featuring heating, ventilation and power adjustment, plus memory for the driver. Step into the back and there's a comfortable second row, though it's not a class leader when it comes to sheer size. A small driveline hump eats into centre-seat legroom, but there are plenty of amenities: air vents, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, a 12V outlet, and two USB-C outlets, as well as bottle holders in the doors and map pockets on the seatbacks. Child seats can be secured using one of three top-tether or two ISOFIX anchor points. The rear bench splits and folds 60/40, increasing cargo space from 520 litres to 1141L. Under the boot floor you won't find a spare – just a tyre repair kit – but there's a series of compartments to contain your odds and ends. There are also netted sections on either side of the boot floor that can help stop your groceries and such from flying around. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool If you want fuel economy this good in a mid-size premium SUV, it's this or an Audi Q5 diesel. Over a loop consisting of inner-city, suburban and highway driving, we averaged a thrifty 4.9 litres per 100km – 0.1L/100km better than the official combined claim. Last time we had this car, we saw fuel economy of 5.8L/100km over the course of a week. This time, it averaged a mere 5.3L/100km. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool You might expect a Lexus to offer a plush ride, but the NX350h Sports Luxury doesn't deliver in this respect. Its ride quality is arguably let down by its use of larger (20-inch) alloy wheels than the Luxury, which features 18s, and the lack of adaptive dampers as seen in the F Sport. The result is a ride that feels stiff and lumpy, and on rougher surfaces it feels a bit unsettled. It also crashes over some bumps, and you'll feel a firm thwack on small potholes. Despite this, the NX350h Sports Luxury doesn't feel all that sporty, which makes the way it rides harder to overlook. It takes a moment to settle over some undulations, with a little bit of float felt. Mind you, the NX350h feels poised – if unexciting – when taken on a winding road. The steering is nicely weighted, but there isn't much in the way of feel. The NX350h doesn't sound all that sporty either, with a bit of a grumbly engine note as we've come to expect from four-cylinder Lexus models. At least it doesn't intrude too much into the cabin, with noise suppression expectedly good for a Lexus. That includes suppression of wind and tyre noise. The powertrain is the best part of the NX350h's dynamic package, and not just because of the terrific fuel economy it can achieve. There are smooth transitions between electric and petrol power, and the NX350h is able to run purely on electric power at low speeds with the petrol engine kicking in when you demand more. Tap the brakes and regenerative braking tops up the battery. The NX350h's driver assists work well. The lane-keep assist gently nudges you back into your lane without constantly feeling intrusive, while activating adaptive cruise control allows you to use Lane Tracing Assist. This is effectively a lane-centring aid, and it managed to keep us more centred than a guided meditation session. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The NX range is enormous, so let's zero in on the NX350h lineup specifically including our Sports Luxury tester. 2025 Lexus NX350h Luxury equipment highlights: Over the Luxury, the Sports Luxury adds: Over the Luxury, the F Sport adds: Option packages – or Enhancement Packs, in Lexus parlance – are available for NX350h models, but only those with all-wheel drive. That means if you opt for a front-wheel drive NX350h, you can't get equipment like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and panoramic sunroof, even in the fancy Sports Luxury. The NX350h Luxury FWD also can't be brought up closer to the F Sport and Sports Luxury with equipment like a wireless phone charger and hands-free power tailgate. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The Lexus NX has a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2022. Standard safety equipment on NX350h models includes: Sports Luxury and F Sport trims also receive a surround-view camera. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool The Lexus NX is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. NX buyers also get three years of free Lexus Encore access, which includes access to complimentary loan cars when you service your vehicle. To see how the Lexus NX compares with its rivals, use our comparison tool Among the sprawling Lexus NX range, the hybrid NX350h is the sweet spot in terms of performance, efficiency and price. The NX350h Sports Luxury, however, isn't the one to get. Those 20-inch wheels exact a toll on ride quality, and there's no adaptive suspension like in the F Sport. It's a shame as the ES sedan and larger RX crossover show how Lexus can take a shared Toyota platform and develop something that still has a plush ride. If you can live without some of the Sports Luxury's features, an NX350h Luxury is an appealing option that undercuts rivals while offering the solid feel and thrifty hybrid fuel economy expected of a Lexus. Otherwise, if you're happy to spend more at the pump, a GV70 gives you more standard kit and a more dynamic (and comfortable) drive. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Lexus NX. Click here to get a great Explore the Lexus NX showroom Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
2026 Hyundai Kona price and specs: Turbo AWD axed, new Elite trim added
Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: The Premium adds: There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: The Elite adds: The Premium adds: The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium. MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: The Premium adds: There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: The Elite adds: The Premium adds: The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium. MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: The Premium adds: There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: The Elite adds: The Premium adds: The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium. MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai has reshuffled its popular Kona lineup, axing a powertrain and adding a new mid-range trim level, among other changes for the small SUV. The revised 2026 Hyundai Kona petrol and hybrid range is on sale now, ahead of first customer deliveries from early August. Hyundai hasn't released details for the 2026 Kona Electric lineup. The 146kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – previously the only way to get all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic in the Kona – has been axed. Hyundai says it has been axed as part of a strategy to simplify the Kona lineup. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Hyundai Kona. Click here to get a great deal. The company says it only accounted for 10 per cent of Kona sales across 2024 and 2025, against a 34 per cent take rate for the 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, six per cent for the Kona Electric, and 51 per cent for the base naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You can no longer get the N Line option package on the entry-level Kona grade, which also drops from 18-inch alloy wheels to 17-inch wheels (pictured above). However, there's a new Elite trim level, available with the carryover naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre hybrid powertrains. It can be had with the optional N Line package. Over the base Kona, it adds features like power-adjustable, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The flagship Premium (pictured above) now has a sunroof with a power sunshade, resulting in price rises of $2200 for the petrol version and $2500 for the hybrid. The N Line package now costs $3000 on Premium variants, up from $2200 before. Otherwise, the Kona is unchanged for 2026. The Kona's turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is now gone, leaving only the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre and hybrid 1.6-litre fours. The Kona Electric is covered separately. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km. The first five services are capped at $402-407 each for the 2.0-litre petrol, while in the hybrid they're capped at $403, $593, $403, $613 and $627. The Hyundai Kona has a four-star safety rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2023. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: The Premium adds: There are three trim levels in the 2026 Kona lineup. The base trim level – simply called Kona – comes standard with the following equipment: The Elite adds: The Premium adds: The N Line option package costs $3500 on the Elite and $3000 on the Premium. This package adds: Premium paint is a $595 option, while a Light Shale Grey/Sage Green interior is a $295 option exclusive to the Premium. MORE: Explore the Hyundai Kona showroom Content originally sourced from:
Perth Now
10 hours ago
- Perth Now
Ram 1500 TRX supercharged V8 muscle truck coming back
The V8 is enjoying a renaissance at Stellantis. The SRT go-fast division is coming back, and now the wild supercharged V8-powered Ram 1500 TRX mega-pickup is reportedly returning, too. Mopar Insiders reports word from 'well-placed sources within the company' that the 1500 TRX will enter production in late January 2026, making it the first vehicle to be launched under the resurrected Street and Racing Technology (SRT) division. It'll also reportedly feature the same design and technology updates rolled out to the facelifted MY25 Ram 1500 lineup, including a new-generation infotainment system. The TRX exited production in 2023, and it closed out its run with a Final Edition that was also offered in Australia, where it was priced above $250,000 and where the locally remanufactured TRX range found almost 1000 customers. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Ram 1500. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Calling it the Final Edition has evidently proved premature. While Ram was at the time in the midst of transitioning the 1500 from naturally aspirated 5.7-litre and supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engines in favour of a pair of twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline sixes, it has reversed course. Former Ram boss Tim Kuniskis came out of retirement late last year to take the helm at the light commercial brand once again, and has subsequently been appointed to head up Stellantis' American brands: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, plus the SRT division. Last month, he announced the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 was returning to the Ram 1500, calling its axing a 'mistake'. 'Everyone makes mistakes, but how you handle them defines you. Ram screwed up when we dropped the Hemi – we own it and we fixed it,' he said at the time. 'We're not just bringing back a legendary V8 engine, we're igniting an assertive product plan and expanding the freedom of choice in powertrain for our customers.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert The Hemi V8 will now be offered alongside the Hurricane six. It's worth noting V8s hadn't been entirely excised from the Ram lineup, as a 6.4-litre V8 had continued to be offered in the brand's heavy-duty pickups in markets like the US. Mr Kuniskis was arguably the biggest supporter of the Hellcat supercharged 6.2-litre petrol V8, which in the 1500 TRX produced 523kW of power and 822Nm of torque, making it the world's most powerful pickup when it was launched. While that's a healthy 120kW and 115Nm above even the High Output tune of the facelifted 1500's Hurricane six, even if it comes back unchanged the powerful TRX will fall short of the Ford F-150 Raptor R. The Blue Oval's hottest pickup uses a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 producing 537kW and 868Nm. The TRX was more than just a 1500 with a bigger engine wedged in, as it also received unique suspension tuning, adaptive Bilstein dampers, and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in chunky 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory tyres. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Ram confirmed earlier this year it plans to make 25 product announcements in 18 months, and the revived TRX will reportedly be one of them. However, there's no guarantee V8 engines will return to the local Ram lineup, according to Ram Trucks Australia, which said in June that it would continue to review and evaluate what options were made available. The company also noted customers had embraced the new Hurricane sixes, and that they remain an 'integral part of Ram's future' because they offer more power and torque along with lower fuel consumption than the 5.7-litre Hemi V8. Ram Trucks Australia has previously indicated it takes 12-18 months to complete a local engineering program for a new model variant that will be remanufactured locally in right-hand drive. The 1500's facelift not only brought Hurricane six-cylinder power and aesthetic tweaks, it also saw other changes including upgraded infotainment and a new electrical architecture, which would necessitate a fresh local development program. Mr Kuniskis confirmed earlier this year the Hemi was never designed to be offered with the updated 1500's revised electrical system. In addition to returning V8s to the 1500, the Ram brand is going racing. It'll return after a 13-year break to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026. In case you didn't realise Ram was an American brand, it's wrapping itself in the stars and stripes. It kicked off a 'Never Stop Being American' marketing campaign with an ad featuring a version of The Star-Spangled Banner and a voiceover from UFC's Dana White. MORE: Explore the Ram 1500 showroom
