• Rigid body and eight airbags
• Lexus Safety System+ is standard
• Lots of optional tech too

The list of Lexus NX safety systems is very long indeed. An extremely rigid body is supplemented by eight airbags at a basic level.

Available as standard is the Lexus Safety System+ and includes:

• Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Automatic High Beam
• Road Sign Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control

Optionally available are blind spot monitors, a rear view camera, and rear cross-traffic alert, which can sense vehicles swiping along your car’s rear when backing out of parking spaces.

Automatic high beam headlights are standard on F Sport and Takumi versions, while optional on the entry-level car.

Pedestrians are catered for too – the structure has been designed to absorb impacts, which should mitigate the effects of an NX hitting a human being.

• Good interior space for four
• Reasonably compact footprint
• Space saver wheel eats into boot

The Lexus NX offers a good amount of interior space and will seat four adults, or five at a push. Headroom is good all-round and we liked the amount of legroom in the back too.

There are two cup holders up front in the central console, while rear-seated passengers will find two in the armrest between the two outer rear seats. There’s a good-sized glovebox and ample cubby storage in the cabin for all of your bits and bobs

The Lexus NX is a mid-sized SUV and owes a lot of its internal space to its height rather than its length or width, so you get a roomy interior without the associated footprint.

We don’t think you’ll have much of a problem getting this car parked or into a garage, but it’s worth checking the height of the door given those loftier proportions.

All UK-spec NXs will get a space-saver spare wheel, which does eat into the car’s boot space a little, meaning we get 475 litres with the seats up and 1,520 litres with them collapsed.

On the plus side the false floor is level with the loading lip making it simpler to load heavier or awkward items, and you’ll still fit a set of suitcases in there with ease.