A long weekend in Wales, even from London, turns out to be an easy ride with kids. Andrew Dent puts the Lexus NX450+ plug-in hybrid to the test.
Lexus NX450+
There’s something inherently exciting about setting off on a road trip as a family, especially when the destination is South Wales and the journey involves everything from smooth motorways to tight country lanes. But what truly elevated our recent trip from London for a long weekend in Wales, was the car itself: the sleek, luxurious, and impossibly quiet Lexus NX 450+ plug-in hybrid.
This was a long old drive, quite literally the entire length of the M4 -which turned into a fun fact. But, thanks to Lexus’s sophisticated design and technology, it was easily one of the most relaxing road trips I’ve ever done.
Interior, Lexus NX450+
Lexus NX450+ first impressions: style and serenity
From the moment we all got inside we knew things were going to be ‘lush’, as the passengers in the back seat exclaimed.
The cabin was immaculately finished with leather trim and a clean, modern aesthetic, but what stood out most was the immediate sense of calm. It felt like someone had just thrown a cloak of expensive and soft luxury all around you. The car’s hybrid engine purred silently to life, and within minutes of pulling onto the M4, we realised just how composed this Lexus is on the road.
With a nice high driving position and a clear dash to see that I was within the speed limit, I headed over to the outside lane and pretty much stayed there until the Severn bridge.
For parents navigating a long-distance trip with children, peace is priceless, and the NX 450+ delivered it in spades. No road rumble, no wind noise, and hardly a murmur from the engine, it’s more akin to gliding rather than driving.
All the space you need, Lexus NX450+
No need to pack light for our weekend in Wales, the Lexus NX450+ has it covered
One of the things that set this long weekend in Wales apart was the sheer amount of gear we had to bring for various reasons. Part of our plan included a visit to the historic Tenby Golf Club, one of the oldest courses in the UK, dating back over a hundred years. That meant two full sets of golf clubs and trolleys. Then there was the UK coastal break in spring requirement of wellies, wetsuits, swimsuits (hot tub at our villa), beach toys (ambitious), gym stuff, and on and on.
To top it off, Dylan Coastal Resort is self-catering, so we brought a long weekend’s supply of food, drinks, snacks. It could have been a packing headache, but the Lexus NX 450+ has a boot capacity that handled it all, after a mild game of ‘boot Jenga’.
Lexus NX450+, weekend in Wales
Plug-in power, practicality and peace, all the way to Wales
We made full use of the plug-in hybrid capabilities. With an electric range of over 40 miles, we cruised silently through the outer edges of London before switching seamlessly to hybrid power on the open road. Not only did this save on fuel, but it also meant we were doing our bit to reduce emissions during the journey.
Charging was simple: overnight at home before departure; again using the destination charger at Dylan Coastal Resort and, once in a Bath public car park on our return. Never an inconvenience.
Dylan Coastal Resort, Laugharne, southwest Wales
Dylan Coastal Resort: perfect for a family weekend in Wales
Tucked into the dramatic coastline near Carmarthen Bay, Dylan Coastal Resort was our home for the weekend in Wales. Named after famous local resident Dylan Thomas, the resort offers stylish 3–4-bedroom lodges perched above the sea, each with their own hot tub. All the lodges have views out across the estuary and access to the excellent leisure club. Also, they’re very well equipped, with full kitchen facilities, extensive lounge area, dining table and large deck with the hot tub sunk down to make it an infinity style view.
Once we were settled in, the Lexus took a well-earned rest. Though, every time we saw it parked beside our lodge, it felt like a stylish companion: low-slung and ready whenever we were.
Pendine Sands ©(2022) Cymru Wales
Putting the Lexus through its paces on-route to historic Pendine Sands
One of our favourite outings during the trip was to the iconic Pendine Sands, a seemingly endless stretch of flat beach that’s steeped in motoring history. Back in the 1920s, it was here that Malcolm Campbell set the world land speed record, reaching a jaw-dropping 146 mph in his legendary Blue Bird.
Pendine Sands is only about a 20-minute drive from the resort, but altogether different types of roads. Here I asked the Lexus to twist and turn, take tight corners and tackle steep hills. Again, a pass with flying colours. The view from the driving position meant I could see much further out than normal, and quite literally see around corners. Encouragingly there were no complaints from the passengers as we navigated the coastal road with barely a bump.
As we stood on the windswept edge of the beach, staring out over the hard-packed sand and thinking about the daredevils of a century ago, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of temptation. With its 305hp and sleek hybrid powertrain, I was quietly confident the Lexus NX 450+ could have given Campbell a run for his money.
Tenby Harbour, south Wales ©(2022) Cymru Wales
Tenby and Saundersfoot are a fun fit for a weekend in Wales
No trip to South Wales is complete without a visit to Tenby, the colourful, postcard-perfect seaside town steeped in Dylan Thomas tradition. After a game of golf (the less said about that the better) we went in to explore the ancient port soon finding ourselves in the town’s famously tight car parks. Here, the Lexus’s power steering and precision reverse camera system came into their own. Parking was a breeze, even in a bay that would have flustered most family cars.
From Tenby, we ventured slightly further along the coast to Saundersfoot, a cool beach town with a hipster vibe and a growing foodie scene. While we wandered along the promenade, browsing local markets and sipping flat whites from reclaimed wood cafés, the Lexus sat confidently in the marina car park; a head-turner, even when stationary, its sleek silhouette looking more luxury yacht than family SUV.
The last stop of the tour is a fabulous beach which is the most westerly in the UK: Freshwater West. Harry Potter fans will recognize this place from the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie. The surfers were in and having a great time; next time I might have to ask for a roof rack for the Lexus.
Lexus NX450+ plug-in hybrid
The drive home and final thoughts on the Lexus NX450+
Our return to London was just as smooth as the journey out. We took our time, stopping for a walk and lunch in Bath, and still arrived home feeling surprisingly fresh.
It’s hard to overstate the value of a car that turns a six-hour journey into something genuinely enjoyable and stress free. The Lexus NX 450+ delivered practicality and real-world usability, wrapped in a design that’s as easy on the eye as it is to drive.
The Lexus NX 450+ isn’t just a good-looking SUV, it’s a thoughtfully engineered family car that offers luxury and technology without any fuss
I felt we gave it a thorough workout: motorway; coastal roads; hills; historic beach town car parks; all while swallowing up two golf bags, beach gear and four days of groceries. It proved itself more than ready.