Transportation

Car Review: 2015 Lexus NX 300h

Published

11 years ago

May 25, 2015

By Frank S. Washington
NNPA Columnist

DETROIT (NNPA)– In the Lexus alphanumeric lexicon, any vehicle nameplate ending with a small “h” is a hybrid. Such was the case with the 2015 Lexus NX 300h. It looks like a rocket. The NX was Lexus’ small 5-door crossover and it had very aggressive styling. Beginning with the brand’s spindle grille, the exterior was comprised of sharply angled edges and creases.

The NX had a raked windshield as well as a raked tailgate. It had Lexus’ signature L shaped DRL signature lighting in the front, ground spoilers on the side and a tailgate design in the rear that echoed the spindle grille in the front. Overall, the 2015 Lexus NX looked like it was slicing through air while standing still and we’re sure that is exactly the look Lexus designers were trying to achieve.

Under the hood was a 2.5 liter four cylinder engine and two electric motors that made a combined 194 horsepower and 152 foot-pounds of torque. The engine was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Lexus NX 300h is not going to blow anybody away off the starting line. But our test vehicle was capable. It wasn’t overwhelmed on the expressways here. And though it was a small crossover, it was not outsized by other vehicles or traffic, either. Acceleration wasn’t explosive but the NX handled well, cornering was good and there were three drive modes. Normal of course was the default setting; it also had an Eco-setting and a Sport setting. We pretty much left it in the default setting.

Our test vehicle had an all-wheel-drive system that was designed for the NX hybrid. It used an electric motor to drive the rear wheels. The front axle was powered by the gasoline engine or second electric motor or a combination of both.

This system operated in front-wheel-drive mode and only sent power to the rear wheels when needed on slippery surfaces. The rear electric motor also acted as a generator when the NX was in regenerative braking mode, increasing the amount of kinetic energy recovered. Since it was dry here doing our test drive we did not get the chance to experience the system at work.

The interior of the NX was special. It was meant to evoke a feel of a sports car and did so pretty well. It was dominated by a center console. Above it, a fixed information-navigation screen was indented into the dash creating a shelf. The vents, analogue clock and climate controls were embedded on a pier-like ledge that gently sloped down from the dash. The audio controls were beneath.

Cup holders and the drive mode selector were in the center console. It was a different but clean layout. We thought the way Lexus handled the TFT instrument panel was thoughtful, too. Two rings, one for the speedometer and the other for the tachometer, where there. The analogue numbers digitally projected looked permanent. But turn the NX off and they disappeared except the rings.

The back seats were spacious; there was plenty of head room and two people could be very comfortable. The floor was almost flat. Thus, if a third person had to sit in the back seat, it would not be that bad – for a short trip.

The passenger cabin was swathed in black and cream leather with linear black shadow wood trim. Our test vehicle had the luxury option package. It was comprised of heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, 18-inch alloy wheels, a navigation system, a premium sound system and rearview camera.

It had automatic dimming sideview mirrors that tilted when the NX was put in reverse, blind side alert, parking assist, a pre-collision warning system and adaptive cruise control. In other words, our test vehicle was chocked full of creature comforts.

Using a compatible smartphone, Lexus said the voice-enabled apps on the Entune system let you search the Internet through Bing™, make restaurant reservations using OpenTable^®, get movie tickets via MovieTickets.com™, listen to Internet radio, (including Pandora^®, iHeartRadio™ and Slacker), search business reviews on Yelp^® and check in on Facebook Places™.

The base price of our 2015 Lexus NX 300h was $41,310. Add a pretty long list of options and a $925 freight charge and the total as tested came to $52,013.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.

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Port of Oakland, Army Corps Sign Historic Harbor Design Agreement

OAKLAND POST — Oakland Port Commission President Stephanie Dominguez Walton called the agreement a historic milestone that will support thousands of jobs. “Today marks a historic occasion for the Port as we sign the inaugural Design Agreement for the Turning Basin Widening Project, which will keep Oakland competitive,” said Walton.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 14, 2026

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) San Francisco District and the Port of Oakland commemorated the signing of the inaugural Design Agreement for the Oakland Harbor Turning Basins Widening Project during a ceremony aboard the USS Potomac at Jack London Square. (L-R) Major General Jason Kelly, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, Oakland City Councilmember Carroll Fife D-3, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland Port Commission President Stephanie Dominguez Walton, Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney, U.S. Representative Congresswoman Lateefah Simon D-12, Lt. Col. Virginia Brickner, and commander of the USACE San Francisco District. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

A $642 million project designed to accommodate larger cargo ships and strengthen the Port of Oakland’s position as a major Pacific trade gateway moved a significant step closer to construction on Aug. 27.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) San Francisco District and the Port of Oakland commemorated the signing of the inaugural Design Agreement for the Oakland Harbor Turning Basins Widening Project during a ceremony aboard the USS Potomac, the presidential yacht once used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The project will widen the Port’s Inner and Outer Harbor turning basins, allowing today’s increasingly larger and longer vessels more space to safely maneuver and turn around. The current basins are narrow, creating delays and operational inefficiencies.

Oakland Port Commission President Stephanie Dominguez Walton called the agreement a historic milestone that will support thousands of jobs.

“Today marks a historic occasion for the Port as we sign the inaugural Design Agreement for the Turning Basin Widening Project, which will keep Oakland competitive,” said Walton.

The agreement advances the project into its preconstruction engineering and design phase following years of planning and collaboration.

Lt. Col. Virginia Brickner, commander of the USACE San Francisco District, said the signing represented tangible progress toward construction.

“We are moving forward. We are showing progress,” Brickner said.

Major General Jason Kelly, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations, said dredging is critical for maritime dominance, supply chains, and economic competitiveness.

“Dredging sustains our national economic infrastructure,” he said. “The future demands more, the taxpayer deserves more, and together we’re going to deliver.”

For U.S. Representative Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), the Port project will support jobs beyond its completion. “This will impact workers and businesses, and every shipping container represents multiple jobs.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee described Oakland as a gateway to international markets and spoke on earlier efforts to deepen Oakland’s shipping channel to 50 feet. While serving in the California Legislature, Lee helped bring together labor, business, environmental advocates and Port officials to resolve disputes surrounding dredging and environmental protections.

“We want the Port to remain competitive economically,” Lee said, excited about both protecting the environment and generating sustainable jobs in the region. “We want to make sure that we create good-paying union jobs, and that the Port continues to not just survive, but thrive.”

Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney said economic growth is dependent on investments in the Oakland Harbor’s infrastructure.

“This investment and staying competitive will fuel our economy for years to come,” said McKenney.

The Port of Oakland, with its partners, supports more than 98,000 regional jobs and $174 billion in annual economic activity. The Port oversees the Oakland Seaport, the Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK), and nearly 20 miles of waterfront, including Jack London Square.

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Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Blasts California New Tire Rules; Newsom Hits Back

Newsom defended the regulations Aug. 19, citing the commission’s projected savings for consumers. “I think it was a good choice,” said Newsom. “Save a billion dollars a year in fuel. Talk about an affordability agenda, that makes sense to me.”

Published

1 month ago

August 30, 2026

Post News Group

Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton is criticizing California’s new replacement-tire efficiency standards, arguing they will limit consumer choice and increase costs for drivers.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, however, says the regulations will save consumers money.

Hilton protested the standards Aug. 20 outside the California Energy Commission in Sacramento, where he and supporters chanted, “Hands off our tires.” The commission unanimously approved the regulations Aug. 17, making California the first state to adopt energy-efficiency standards for replacement tires.

“We are done with these bureaucrats and these politicians in our state, making everything so insanely expensive,” Hilton said at the protest.

Hilton said that, if elected governor, he would eliminate or defund the Energy Commission. His opposition to the tire standards is part of his broader criticism of California’s high cost of living.

Newsom defended the regulations Aug. 19, citing the commission’s projected savings for consumers.

“I think it was a good choice,” said Newsom. “Save a billion dollars a year in fuel. Talk about an affordability agenda, that makes sense to me.”

The Replacement Tire Efficiency Program sets limits on rolling resistance, which measures how much energy a tire requires to move along a road. Tires with lower rolling resistance can improve a gasoline-powered vehicle’s fuel economy or extend an electric vehicle’s driving range.

The first phase will take effect in 2029, setting a maximum rolling resistance of 9.1 newtons per kilonewton. A stricter limit of 7.2 newtons per kilonewton will take effect in 2033.

The Energy Commission says the standards will ensure that replacement tires are, on average, at least as energy efficient as those installed on new vehicles. The agency estimates the regulations will save Californians nearly $1 billion annually in gasoline and electricity costs while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by two million metric tons a year.

Some tire manufacturers, however, have raised concerns about the effect on prices and product availability. Goodyear estimates that about 70% of replacement tires currently sold in California would not meet the 2033 standard and argues that the regulations could increase costs for consumers.

The Energy Commission estimates the standards will add about $1.50 to the cost of each tire during the first phase and $6.50 per tire beginning in 2033. The commission projects that a driver with a gasoline-powered vehicle could save about $179 in fuel costs over the life of a set of tires meeting the 2033 standard.

The regulations exempt several specialty products, including competition, winter, used, retreaded, motorcycle and certain off-road tires.

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Business

Frontier Airlines’ Return to Oakland Airport Brings Flights, Jobs and Opportunity

The inaugural celebration brought together elected officials, airport executives and Frontier Airlines leadership. Participants included U.S. Representative Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Port of Oakland Board President Stephanie Dominguez Walton, Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney and Frontier Airlines Vice President of Public and Consumer Affairs Tyri Squyres.

Published

1 month ago

August 30, 2026

Post News Group

Ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration at Terminal 1, Gate 3 of Frontier Airlines at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport. (L-R) Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney, U.S. Representative Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Frontier Airlines Vice President of Public and Consumer Affairs Tyri Squyres, Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce president Barbara Leslie, and Port of Oakland Board President Stephanie Dominguez Walton. Photo by Carla Thomas

By Carla Thomas

Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport welcomed Frontier Airlines back on Aug. 20, with a ribbon-cutting celebration marking the launch of new nonstop service between Oakland and Las Vegas.

The celebration, held in Terminal 1, highlighted Frontier’s return to the East Bay airport after last serving OAK in 2023.

The airline’s new Las Vegas service expands travel choices for Bay Area passengers headed to one of the airport’s most popular destinations.

The new route is scheduled to operate 11 times weekly, including daily service, strengthening connections between Oakland and Las Vegas for both leisure and business travelers.

“We’re excited to restart our service in Oakland,” said Squyres. “The early reaction and response have been great.”

“I’m so glad to have Frontier back,” said McKenney. “I appreciate the partnership we have. We work on it every day with our airlines, community, and our leadership. As your public agency, that’s what we’re here for; to create jobs and opportunities for our community.”

Dominguez Walton also chimed in.

“Today we are celebrating the inaugural flight from OAK to Las Vegas on Frontier Airlines. Oakland is the best way to and from the Bay,” she said.

Squyres highlighted the economic impact.

“Oakland is a critical gateway for the Bay Area moving nearly 10 million travelers each year. OAK is driving local and regional growth keeping the City of Oakland moving forward, moving ahead and also competitive,” she said. “Expanding travel opportunities means not only more options for residents but also opening more high-quality jobs. And when travelers arrive through OAK, they directly support our neighborhoods, businesses, hotels, restaurants, and our cultural attractions.”

Simon broke down what the airline’s reopening means to Oaklanders.

“It’s the grandmother heading to the family reunion at a price she can afford. It’s the small business owner who gets to go to the industry tradeshow and be back by dinner. And it’s the family being able to come from Nevada to get excellent cancer care at our Children’s Hospital at a price they can afford,” she said.

Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport serves as the primary airport for much of the East Bay and provides connections to the region through highways and BART. Operated by the Port of Oakland, the airport is part of a broader transportation and economic network that also includes the Oakland seaport and approximately 20 miles of East Bay waterfront.

According to the Port of Oakland, its operations and business partners support nearly 100,000 regional jobs and generates nearly $175 billion in economic impact.

Simon also emphasized the flights’ potential to create well-paying jobs in the local community.

“More flights means more work for real people in the community, in East Oakland. We know aviation work is steady, and it pays well. It’s work that brings in good labor jobs and prevailing wages.”