pws

I'm guessing that this YouTube video is well-known to regulars here (at least those of a mechanical bent): Yes, this is the P710 drivetrain rather than the P810 used in the 450, but AFAIK the two are very similar with the P810 being somewhat more powerful. Curiously, it was watching this video that made me look again at CVT-type transmissions, which I'd previous dismissed out of hand (though admittedly e-CVT is a related but distinct concept), and hence led me to actively consider the 450. I certainly wouldn't buy a 450 just because it has e-CVT, but knowing that it has some pretty clever tech onboard is definitely a plus point. And this JayEmm review, which again I guess is familiar territory hereabouts, was undoubtedly a further encouragement:

Thanks, that's useful extra information. I perhaps should have added in the quote that was giving me pause for thought, which is from the recent What Car review: 'It's not as impressive at motorway speeds, though – the NX jostles you around, almost as though you're sitting on a washing machine during a slow spin cycle. The experience isn’t too irritating, but the Q5 TFSIe is more settled at faster speeds.' TBH I'm not sure which trim this comment refers to. It could be the standard suspension or, perhaps more likely, F-Sport suspension, but then was the mode set to comfort or sport settings (or whatever Lexus calls these)? Actually, now I come to look closer, the summary highlights one con as 'Choppy high-speed ride on F Sport versions' and the BMW X3 is singled out as offering a notably better driving experience. And it's interesting that while many of the review sections get 4 or (often) 5 star ratings, 'Ride & Comfort' is relegated to 3 star. i suppose, to an extent, the substantial extra weight of the PHEV is almost bound to cause extra problems for the suspension. I'm not, just to be clear, seeking to knock the NX - in many ways it looks like an excellent car. But it would be good to hear any further comments on the ride & handling aspect of the 450. A test drive is obviously going to be important here, but OTOH there's often not a good opportunity to appraise such things in detail in a limited test drive period.

Seriously considering ordering an NX 450 (provided the wait times are not too extended!), but slightly confused by what I'm reading in various reviews about ride comfort in F-Sport vs Takumi trims. Seems odd that the F-Sport is apparently the only trim with adaptive dampers yet seemingly gets a demerit for its irritable motorway ride. I'm guessing that the F-Sport gets somewhat firmer suspension than Takumi and so needs adaptive dampers to compensate, though there's nothing I can see in the sales literature to confirm this. Anyone here care to comment please? I'm well aware that individual reviews can be outliers in terms of perceived pros and cons, but once a doubt has been raised it's good to follow it up. My current drive is a Q3 45TFSI which has 20" 40 profile tyres and so is on the firm side (TBH as firm as I'd like to go). But I do also like a car that handles well eg through fast roundabouts, so is a 450 F-Sport or Takumi likely to wallow in such circumstances?