2023 Lexus NX 250: Appealing Styling, Solid Driving Dynamics

 

The 2023 Lexus NX is a luxury crossover that offers appealing styling and solid driving dynamics.

The NX features four powertrains, starting with the base NX 250, which has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 203 horsepower. The NX 350 has a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 275 horsepower. The NX 350h, a hybrid model, has the 2.5-liter engine linked to two electric motors for a combined output of 240 horsepower. There is an NX 450h+, another hybrid, that includes a third electric motor and a lithium-ion battery to make 302 horsepower. 

The standard transmission is an eight-speed automatic. The hybrid models come with a continuously variable automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on the NX 250, and all-wheel drive is optional; the rest of the lineup gets AWD standard.

Fuel economy for the base 250 is estimated at 21 mpg city, 28 highway, according to EPA. 

On the inside, a 9.8-inch infotainment system is standard, while an optional 14-inch touchscreen comes bundled with a three-year trial of Lexus’s Drive Connect services, which include Intelligent Assistant, cloud-based navigation and Destination Assist. Also standard are Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. New standard safety features include collision-avoidance steering assist and left-turn oncoming-vehicle detection and braking. Other standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, lane-centering steering, lane departure steering assist, road sign assist and adaptive cruise control. 

Pricing starts at around $43,000 and ranges to around $51,000. 

For a stylish crossover that has a nice list of amenities, the Lexus NX is worthy of serious consideration by vehicle buyers. 

Fort Chiswell Animal Park: Where the Deer and the Antelope (and Many Others) Roam

 

AAE recently went on a safari in the hills of southwestern Virginia, at the Fort Chiswell Animal Park in Max Meadows, Va. If you're an animal lover, this is a great place to visit. It offers free parking, a picnic area and snack bar. Tickets can be purchased in the gift shop, with no reservations required. Shown above is an antelope, one of many species featured in the park. 

Our visit came on a hot day, so many of the animals chose to get into the pond to cool themselves. Shown above, in the distance, is a hippopotamus and some bison soaking in the water. 

This ostrich did not seem to mind the heat and could be seen strutting all over the grounds as if checking to make sure everything was in order. 

This monkey resided in the petting zoo section of the park, however visitors are not permitted to pet the monkeys, as they can be very dangerous. 

These llamas also reside in the petting zoo section, and are more than happy for you to feed them food that can be purchased in the gift shop, and they'll let you pet them as well. The petting zoo also features deer, antelope, alpacas and pygmy goats. 

This camel was resting in the heat of the day, after reportedly having been fed quite a bit throughout the afternoon. He is one of the oldest animals in the park. The larger animals (those not residing in the petting zoo section) can be seen from the tour bus that takes visitors throughout the multiple-acre park. This allows the animals to roam freely. The bus tour takes 45 minutes to one hour. 

For more information about the park, click here. 

2023 Toyota Sienna: People Hauler with a Touch of Style

 

With seating for up to eight passengers across three rows, the 2023 Toyota Sienna is a great people and cargo hauler. But it's a minivan, right? Yes, but toss out those notions of frumpy, mom-mobiles. The Sienna actually has cool styling. 

The Sienna comes in six trim levels: LE, XLE, XSE, XSE 25th Anniversary, Limited and Platinum. 

Under the hood, there is a 2.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 245 horsepower and is linked to an electronically controlled automatic transmission. 

Front-wheel drive is standard on the Sienna, with an option for all-wheel drive. 

Fuel economy is rated at an impressive 35 mpg city, 36 highway. 

On the inside, the Sienna offers a spacious 101 cubic feet of cargo space. The interior also features some cool amenities such as Bluetooth connectivity, six USB charging ports, power driver’s seat, and tri-zone automatic climate control, all standard. 

The 60/40 split third row seat stows into the cabin floor, which helps provide that ample cargo space.

Pricing starts at around $37,000 and ranges to around $54,000.

For a great people- and cargo hauler with a little bit of style, it's hard to beat the Toyota Sienna.