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Ok, one week in with my new NX and here are my first impressions compared to the NP I dumped...I mean....replaced.
I drove the NP today after a solid week in the NX and to my surprise it was like slipping on an old pair of gloves. Everything just felt right.
Anyway..here're my thoughts and opinions.
Noise
No comparison here - NX win hands down.
Comfort
No a fair comparison yet as I'm yet to put LT and a lift onto it. But boy, those road tyres and stock suspension is a nice ride. Smooth and quiet. NP feels like a truck.
Steering
NX feels a bit more direct than the NP. Nice.
Power
CRD plus Aysin transmission is much, much smoother. NX is a way, way better. Will cost me more in Donaldson filters though
But the power difference isn't as much as I expected. Not much in it really.
Brakes
OMG. NX is unquestionably superior. 1000% improvement over the NP
Entertainment Unit (Rockford)
My NP has a nice aftermarket head unit and amp, speakers etc. But, I don't know why the trend is towards touch screen control and buttons. They're so much harder to use in a car. You loose the sensor of 'feel' to help out and instead need to take you eyes off the road and look. Yes, voice control...but still.
Overall the rockford stereo sound is very, very good.
Smartphone Connectivity
Don't get your hopes up here. As for smartphone connectivity with my iPhone 6s - waste of space currently. Needing to plug the phone into the connector in the glovebox for every trip is annoying and pointless. My garmin GPS is now back on the windscreen, as I find Apple maps is useless as a nav. aid. in Australia. I just use bluetooth connectivity and Siri - same as on the NP unit.
I tell ya what, I'm really sick of the
"Agree" every time I start the car. Still miles ahead of the factory NP unit, but not leaps and bounds ahead of the $700 aftermarket Pioneer I had in the NP.
Radio Antenna
NP is a two height adjustable electric. NX is built into the 3rd window. I've heard about performance problems in the NX, but if it works it's a step forward. The electric antenna gets knocked on the tracks and you can't put it down without turning off the stereo - like in a carwash or narrow track.
Trip meter
NX wins - nice to see the economy readings. Not sure how accurate it is, and could have been designed a LOT better.
What's the point of the graph? You can't read historic values off it anyway. And it's upside down! Just give me instant l/100, 5 min avg, and 30 min avg, tank avg, and trip avg. numbers would be fine...I can count, no need for useless pictures.
And Range to Empty, gee thanks - as soon as the fuel light comes on it goes blank. Just when you'd think you'd really need to use it!
EGR mod
$143 SPVi mod vs $20 blanking plate. NP wins...unless you put a 5c resistor in yourself
Fuel Tank size
hmmm, NX is 88 litre and NP is 90. Not sure where that 2 L went...but NP wins
Looks
NX is sweet. Never like the front end of the NP until I put the BBar on.
Now the BBar will be a step backwards in styling.
Side Mirrors
NP mirror is flat, so when I look in it I can judge distance properly. NX is convex, and I go cross-eyed looking at it. On the NP I put a little 50c sized stick-on convex to see the blind spot. I prefer the NP, as your eyes can judge distance better. The electric folding feature of the NX is nice though, and they're heated.
Climate Control Air-conditioning
IMO, a big step backwards. NP has two dials, the temperature, and the mode. Now the mode has been replaced with a button that chooses one or the other. I liked the dial for the mode on the NP, as it actually controlled the airflow in increments between, say, face and face+feet.
The NP also has an auto fan. I liked this. When the engine wasn't warm, ir didn't bother pushing air at you until it warmed up.
EDIT: I was wrong. The NX has an auto fan too.
EDIT: after 3 months ownership now I can positively say the NP climate control performs far far better. The NX is terrible in comparison.
Instrument Cluster
Hmmm I can think of a word that goes well with "Cluster". A step backwards. The NP was large and clear. Only PITA was the speedo was out (over) by 9%. NX is about 3%.
The warnings in NX are grouped nicely in the middle, but the speed and taco needle has a stupid black bar around it which just sucks on such a small dial.
Front seats
A step backwards. NP, even at 220k is more comfortable. Softer leather too. NX has lumbar support, but that about the only positive. Passenger seat is not height adjustable in the NX - was in the NP and was the first thing the misses complained about. The seat belt buckle presses into my butt and is uncomfortable - Ok - so I could loose a few pounds.
OBDII
NX wins - yay. At last I have it!
Headrests, 2nd and 3rd row
Step backwards. The NP's are...hollow so you can see through them. NX are solid. With the 7the row in you can't see anything! But I like the 2nd row middle headrest that is a lot smaller and does block any vision...the middle spare wheel does that for you!
Auto thingys
Headlights, wipers, rearview dim, high beam
Sweet - NX way ahead. I like 'em
Headlights
HIDs on the NX are brilliant...if you excuse the pun. love them.
Auto high beam is...ok....gets it wrong quite a lot thinking the red reflectors are the taillights of a car, but it does immediately dip when oncoming car comes along. Overall I like it.
Spare wheel
Big step backwards....let's not go there. But at least the rearview camera gets good visibility and the tail light aren't on the bumper....now, where to put the rubbish bag?
Rear Door
NX much better. Changed the mechanism and much smoother/easier
EDIT: however, the mechanism is weak as piss. If you try to close the door with the arm locked, it is very easy to bend it. Once bent, $200 repair. Stuffed mine once already.
They put a stupid little caution sticker so when you do make a mistake, the warranty doesn't cover it. You don't need to push very hard to ruin it. Not fit for purpose IMO.
NP mechanism is solid and forgiving. NP wins.
Cruise Control
50:50. NP has a stick, whereas NX has buttons on the wheel. Buttons feel cheap in comparison. NX doesn't perform as well (take too long to adjust after a hill for example), but I like that you don't need to turn it on for every drive. Of course this is compensated by the bloody AGREE on the stereo head unit.
Sunroof
Sweet as. 2nd row passengers love it
7th seat.
50:50. NX is better as the headrests are now stored in the same area. But - headrests are now solid and restrict visibility A LOT.
Rear Tiedown points
damn things are cheap plastic. I moved the metal once across from my NP.
Drivers Pedals
Well, NX doesn't have a proper footrest, but has nice shiny metal looking ones. NP wins
Glove Box
What! The NX only has one. The NP has two. NP wins
Transmission lever
You MUST have your foot on the brake to go off Park in the NX. NP lets me do it anytime. Other than that...same. NP wins.
Dash construction
NP wins. NX is likely (read expected) to 'shake' on really severe corrugations. NP was proven and solid.
Roof Racks
NX wins here. 100kg rating compared to 60kg on the NP
Privacy glass
50:50 What's the point, unless you live in Tassie! You still need to pay to get it clear tinted to filter out the UV rays in mainland Australia anyway, so why bother in the first place.
Sun visors
Step backwards. NP has a 'sleeves that you can slip thing into. NX doesn't
Wheels
18s look really nice, but WTF....the Montero has 17"s that look exactly the same. What numbskull thought 18"s were a good idea on a 4x4 in Oz. So far they cost a couple of hundred buck per wheel more and don't last as long. Theoretically they don't work as well too. Coopers warranty for 17"s is 70k, and just 50k for 18s.
NP wins hands down!
Trim quality
NP wins here too. NX just feels more plastic.
Paint
I really hope the NX doesn't have the problems with rust the NS/NTs had.
Rear Diff Lock
ooohhh yeaahhhh. NX wins
Airbags
NX wins - has side curtain ones that the NP doesn't have.
2nd row seat
OMG, the damn things actually roll forward without man-handling them. NX wins
Snorkle installation
Gees, 5 hours labour to install the safari on the NX...what're they doing? taking the engine out!
Diesel Fuel Pump
NX wins...lets no got there either
Conclusion
So, that's a score of 19 for NX and 15 for NP. A lot closer than I expected.
I think you can see from the above that the accountants have wielded their might pens to keep the NX price competitive and on a diet to allow the extra gadgets.
Absolutely no regrets getting the NX - After 13 years of evolution, some strengths and weaknesses, but, I must say, the NP is still a great car; and driving it again today after a week in the NX proved it.
What wins the NX over though is the engine/transmission, brakes, rear diff lock, good looks, gadgets, ODBII, savings of fixed price servicing, 5 yr warranty, and youth (aka reliability).
What's really a step backwards are the 18" wheels and poorer rear visibility.
But, if you're thinking about an older second hand NP Exceed - bloody good car for the money!
Did I mention I'll have one for sale soon
I drove the NP today after a solid week in the NX and to my surprise it was like slipping on an old pair of gloves. Everything just felt right.
Anyway..here're my thoughts and opinions.
Noise
No comparison here - NX win hands down.
Comfort
No a fair comparison yet as I'm yet to put LT and a lift onto it. But boy, those road tyres and stock suspension is a nice ride. Smooth and quiet. NP feels like a truck.
Steering
NX feels a bit more direct than the NP. Nice.
Power
CRD plus Aysin transmission is much, much smoother. NX is a way, way better. Will cost me more in Donaldson filters though
But the power difference isn't as much as I expected. Not much in it really.Brakes
OMG. NX is unquestionably superior. 1000% improvement over the NP
Entertainment Unit (Rockford)
My NP has a nice aftermarket head unit and amp, speakers etc. But, I don't know why the trend is towards touch screen control and buttons. They're so much harder to use in a car. You loose the sensor of 'feel' to help out and instead need to take you eyes off the road and look. Yes, voice control...but still.
Overall the rockford stereo sound is very, very good.
Smartphone Connectivity
Don't get your hopes up here. As for smartphone connectivity with my iPhone 6s - waste of space currently. Needing to plug the phone into the connector in the glovebox for every trip is annoying and pointless. My garmin GPS is now back on the windscreen, as I find Apple maps is useless as a nav. aid. in Australia. I just use bluetooth connectivity and Siri - same as on the NP unit.
I tell ya what, I'm really sick of the
"Agree" every time I start the car. Still miles ahead of the factory NP unit, but not leaps and bounds ahead of the $700 aftermarket Pioneer I had in the NP.Radio Antenna
NP is a two height adjustable electric. NX is built into the 3rd window. I've heard about performance problems in the NX, but if it works it's a step forward. The electric antenna gets knocked on the tracks and you can't put it down without turning off the stereo - like in a carwash or narrow track.
Trip meter
NX wins - nice to see the economy readings. Not sure how accurate it is, and could have been designed a LOT better.
What's the point of the graph? You can't read historic values off it anyway. And it's upside down! Just give me instant l/100, 5 min avg, and 30 min avg, tank avg, and trip avg. numbers would be fine...I can count, no need for useless pictures.
And Range to Empty, gee thanks - as soon as the fuel light comes on it goes blank. Just when you'd think you'd really need to use it!
EGR mod
$143 SPVi mod vs $20 blanking plate. NP wins...unless you put a 5c resistor in yourself
Fuel Tank size
hmmm, NX is 88 litre and NP is 90. Not sure where that 2 L went...but NP wins
Looks
NX is sweet. Never like the front end of the NP until I put the BBar on.
Now the BBar will be a step backwards in styling.
Side Mirrors
NP mirror is flat, so when I look in it I can judge distance properly. NX is convex, and I go cross-eyed looking at it. On the NP I put a little 50c sized stick-on convex to see the blind spot. I prefer the NP, as your eyes can judge distance better. The electric folding feature of the NX is nice though, and they're heated.
Climate Control Air-conditioning
IMO, a big step backwards. NP has two dials, the temperature, and the mode. Now the mode has been replaced with a button that chooses one or the other. I liked the dial for the mode on the NP, as it actually controlled the airflow in increments between, say, face and face+feet.
The NP also has an auto fan. I liked this. When the engine wasn't warm, ir didn't bother pushing air at you until it warmed up.
EDIT: I was wrong. The NX has an auto fan too.
EDIT: after 3 months ownership now I can positively say the NP climate control performs far far better. The NX is terrible in comparison.
Instrument Cluster
Hmmm I can think of a word that goes well with "Cluster". A step backwards. The NP was large and clear. Only PITA was the speedo was out (over) by 9%. NX is about 3%.
The warnings in NX are grouped nicely in the middle, but the speed and taco needle has a stupid black bar around it which just sucks on such a small dial.
Front seats
A step backwards. NP, even at 220k is more comfortable. Softer leather too. NX has lumbar support, but that about the only positive. Passenger seat is not height adjustable in the NX - was in the NP and was the first thing the misses complained about. The seat belt buckle presses into my butt and is uncomfortable - Ok - so I could loose a few pounds.
OBDII
NX wins - yay. At last I have it!
Headrests, 2nd and 3rd row
Step backwards. The NP's are...hollow so you can see through them. NX are solid. With the 7the row in you can't see anything! But I like the 2nd row middle headrest that is a lot smaller and does block any vision...the middle spare wheel does that for you!
Auto thingys
Headlights, wipers, rearview dim, high beam
Sweet - NX way ahead. I like 'em
Headlights
HIDs on the NX are brilliant...if you excuse the pun. love them.
Auto high beam is...ok....gets it wrong quite a lot thinking the red reflectors are the taillights of a car, but it does immediately dip when oncoming car comes along. Overall I like it.
Spare wheel
Big step backwards....let's not go there. But at least the rearview camera gets good visibility and the tail light aren't on the bumper....now, where to put the rubbish bag?
Rear Door
NX much better. Changed the mechanism and much smoother/easier
EDIT: however, the mechanism is weak as piss. If you try to close the door with the arm locked, it is very easy to bend it. Once bent, $200 repair. Stuffed mine once already.
They put a stupid little caution sticker so when you do make a mistake, the warranty doesn't cover it. You don't need to push very hard to ruin it. Not fit for purpose IMO.
NP mechanism is solid and forgiving. NP wins.
Cruise Control
50:50. NP has a stick, whereas NX has buttons on the wheel. Buttons feel cheap in comparison. NX doesn't perform as well (take too long to adjust after a hill for example), but I like that you don't need to turn it on for every drive. Of course this is compensated by the bloody AGREE on the stereo head unit.
Sunroof
Sweet as. 2nd row passengers love it
7th seat.
50:50. NX is better as the headrests are now stored in the same area. But - headrests are now solid and restrict visibility A LOT.
Rear Tiedown points
damn things are cheap plastic. I moved the metal once across from my NP.
Drivers Pedals
Well, NX doesn't have a proper footrest, but has nice shiny metal looking ones. NP wins
Glove Box
What! The NX only has one. The NP has two. NP wins
Transmission lever
You MUST have your foot on the brake to go off Park in the NX. NP lets me do it anytime. Other than that...same. NP wins.
Dash construction
NP wins. NX is likely (read expected) to 'shake' on really severe corrugations. NP was proven and solid.
Roof Racks
NX wins here. 100kg rating compared to 60kg on the NP
Privacy glass
50:50 What's the point, unless you live in Tassie! You still need to pay to get it clear tinted to filter out the UV rays in mainland Australia anyway, so why bother in the first place.
Sun visors
Step backwards. NP has a 'sleeves that you can slip thing into. NX doesn't
Wheels
18s look really nice, but WTF....the Montero has 17"s that look exactly the same. What numbskull thought 18"s were a good idea on a 4x4 in Oz. So far they cost a couple of hundred buck per wheel more and don't last as long. Theoretically they don't work as well too. Coopers warranty for 17"s is 70k, and just 50k for 18s.
NP wins hands down!
Trim quality
NP wins here too. NX just feels more plastic.
Paint
I really hope the NX doesn't have the problems with rust the NS/NTs had.
Rear Diff Lock
ooohhh yeaahhhh. NX wins
Airbags
NX wins - has side curtain ones that the NP doesn't have.
2nd row seat
OMG, the damn things actually roll forward without man-handling them. NX wins
Snorkle installation
Gees, 5 hours labour to install the safari on the NX...what're they doing? taking the engine out!
Diesel Fuel Pump
NX wins...lets no got there either
Conclusion
So, that's a score of 19 for NX and 15 for NP. A lot closer than I expected.
I think you can see from the above that the accountants have wielded their might pens to keep the NX price competitive and on a diet to allow the extra gadgets.
Absolutely no regrets getting the NX - After 13 years of evolution, some strengths and weaknesses, but, I must say, the NP is still a great car; and driving it again today after a week in the NX proved it.
What wins the NX over though is the engine/transmission, brakes, rear diff lock, good looks, gadgets, ODBII, savings of fixed price servicing, 5 yr warranty, and youth (aka reliability).
What's really a step backwards are the 18" wheels and poorer rear visibility.
But, if you're thinking about an older second hand NP Exceed - bloody good car for the money!
Did I mention I'll have one for sale soon
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