If you’re in the market for something different but with a premium halo around it, then you’ve got to keep Lexus in your list of go-to carmakers. The Japanese firm knows how to dish out head-turners one after the other. And the latest to land on our shores is the all-new NX, which made its world premiere in June last year. There are three variants available, all with the 350h AWD badge. The entry-level derivative – the Exquisite – comes at Rs 64.9 lakh. Next in line is the Luxury variant, priced at Rs 69.5 lakh. Claiming the range-topper title is the F Sport, which costs Rs 71.6 lakh.

So, what does that 350h AWD mean? It refers to a gutsier powertrain than the previous model, which had variants with the 300h badge. The second-gen NX comes with a 2.5-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, one on each axle. All on its own, the former churns out 189bhp/221Nm (36bhp/11Nm more than before). The front electric motor offers 180bhp/270Nm, whereas the rear one outputs 54bhp/121. The total system output is 239bhp, which is 43bhp over the old, front-wheel-drive NX. And an E-CVT (Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission) is in the mix, which routes all the oomph to all four wheels.

Even the list of features has been upgraded. It includes dual-zone automatic climate control, powered front seats, LED headlamps with Auto High Beam, rain-sensing wipers and support for wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Other features, such as a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 4 USB ports, roof rails, powered tailgate and heated and auto-dimming ORVMs, are also available. Slotting under the safety and driver assistance systems are features like traction control, Hill Assist Control, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracking Assist, electric parking brake, tyre pressure monitoring system and Road Sign Assist.

You’ve got to agree – the new Lexus NX is a striking looking car. And it’ll definitely stand out in a crowd of premium crossovers. The question is – would you buy one over a similarly priced BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo or an Audi?