Lexus has announced pricing for the 2015 NX 300h at $40,645 for front wheel drive, and $42,235 for all wheel drive.

These prices include shipping, and dealers are expected to have the newly designed crossover that’s been well received in Japan, and positioned wih more youthful design than the originator of the luxury crossover sub segment, the RX 450h.

Power for the new CUV comes from a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine based hybrid system. Fuel economy is EPA rated for the FWD at 35 city, 31 highway, and 33 combined; for the AWD it’s 33 city, 30 highway, 32 combined.

SEE ALSO: 2015 Lexus NX: Turbo And Hybrid Versions

This is 4 mpg better than the RX 450h which has been on the market for several years, is due for a refresh, but which still carries forward with respectable sales.

The NX could however be perceived as a more desirable alternative given its pricing is significantly less than the RX 450h starting at $48,545, and the NX is all new thus offering a strong potential proposition.

Lexus is positionng the car alongside its first turbocharged car, the non-hybrid 2.0-liter NX 200T and F-Sport version of the same. This model starts at $35,405.