Lexus has announced prices for its new NX crossover, which introduces new design and tech as well as the brand’s first-ever plug-in hybrid.

The line-up for the second-generation NX includes the first-ever Lexus plug-in hybrid

Now available for pre-orders, the line-up for the second-generation NX includes a flagship 450h+ PHEV variant, priced from £48,800 and teaming up a four-cylinder 2.5-litre hybrid engine and two motors, one front and one rear, giving all-wheel drive. Power for the motors comes from an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery – said to be the highest capacity in its class – which enables all-electric driving at speeds up to 84mph and with an EV range of 40 miles.

It’s joined by a latest-gen ‘self-charging hybrid’ NX 350h model, priced from £38,300 and available in both front- and all-wheel drive versions and with a 1.5-tonne towing capacity. Power is up by 22% compared to the current NX 300h, taking output to 242hp and improving the 0-62mph sprint time by 15% to 7.7 seconds.

Three trim levels will be available for the NX 350h: NX, F Sport and Takumi. The NX grade can also be enhanced with Premium Pack and Premium Plus Pack versions.

The NX 450h+ gets the same F Sport and Takumi trims but does without the NX entry point version.

Equipment on the NX trim includes 18-inch alloy wheels, Lexus Link Connect with 9.8-inch multimedia and cloud navigation system, synthetic leather upholstery, bi-LED headlights with Automatic High Beam and the new-generation Lexus Safety System+.

The Premium Pack adds in rear privacy glass, smart keyless entry, a wireless phone charger, LED cornering and front fog lights, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Premium Plus Pack furthers this with 20-inch alloy wheels, Lexus Link Pro 14-inch multimedia with navigation, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, four-eye LED headlights with Adaptive High-beam System, a Panoramic View Monitor and ambient cabin lighting with 64 selectable colours.

Sitting above this is the F Sport model with 20-inch alloys and bespoke exterior design features, as well as Adaptive Variable Suspension. The cabin features an F Sport steering wheel, aluminium pedals and sports front seats.

At the top of the range, the Takumi model gets dedicated 20-inch alloy wheels, a Mark Levinson 17-speaker Premium Surround audio system, a digital rear-view mirror, remote and automatic parking functions, panoramic roof and additional Lexus Safety Sense+ features, including Front Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist.

Specification is mirrored for the F Sport and Takumi versions of NX 450h+, but the Takumi version also gets automatic parking, a sunroof, wood trim inlays and the additional Lexus Safety Sense+ features.

First customer deliveries are expected in January 2022.

Customers who pre-order an NX 450h+ model in September and October will also qualify for a free Alfen Eve S Line charge point and free standard installation by British Gas.