The Lexus NX 300 is a compact SUV that has a few mounting challenges. The compact size presents some issues. Let’s look at some of what works well and does not work well.
We previously looked at a Lexus RX 350. That’s one of the easiest vehicles we have seen for mounting a phone, tablet or GPS. This is not as easy.
Lexus NX 300 Mount Discussion
It’s a compact SUV. A bit cramped. A sloped dash and a large extended infotainment display are going to make this mission difficult.
The Lexus NX 300 has an easy to reach windshield and that’s probably going to be the best mounting location. The vents are horizontal and in a suitable location for mounting a phone. The vehicle has a CD player that’s located in place that makes it useless for a mount point. The seat bolts are not easily accessible. There are a pair of cup holders within the middle console that make for a passable mount point perhaps.
There is a large infotainment display that negates using the dashboard as a mounting spot.
Now, let’s take a look at a few specific mounts that should work well in the Lexus NX 300. The attached photo is from the interior of a 2021 model.
Windshield and Vent Mount Recommendations for a Lexus NX 300
The windshield seems like the best location for a phone or GPS. First mount to consider is one that will work on a windshield or dash and will fit a phone or GPS. We continue to recommend the Arkon MegaGrip Suction Cup Windshield and Dash Mount. The mount features a vacuum locked suction cup and pivoting arm. The phone can swivel into any orientation. The expandable cradle opens to 3.4 inches and will hold most phones with or without cases.
This mount includes an 80mm adhesive disk that can be adhered to the dash. The suction cup will stick to it like it does on the windshield.
Remove the cradle and adapter from the above mount to hold a Garmin GPS. The ball is 17mm in diameter. It will snap right into the socket on the back of any cradle from a Garmin automotive GPS like a Nuvi or Drive.
The vent is another choice. Due to the compact size and sloped dash, the phone is going to work best in landscape orientation.
The Square Jellyfish Jelly-Grip Car Air Vent Mount is one that we have been recommending for a quite some time. The Square Jellyfish Jelly-Grip mount can be used to hold most phone models with or without a case or skin. It has a ball and socket so the cradle swivels into any orientation. This mount will work on flat vent slats that are 3/8 to 1 inch deep. The included cradle opens to 3 5/8 inches which is fairly large.
The Square Jellyfish Jelly-Grip mount can also be used for a Garmin GPS. All Garmin vehicle GPS devices made over the past ten years include a custom cradle that has a 17mm socket on the back. Remove the cradle from the Jelly-Grip mount and you have a 17mm ball. Just snap the Garmin cradle onto the Jelly-Grip mount minus the cradle and your GPS can be mounted to the air vent.
We did a full review of the Square Jellyfish mount awhile back and it’s worth reading for more information.
Other Mount Recommendations for a Lexus NX 300
The CD player is located near the bottom of the console in an inconvenient location. The gear shift will get in the way of the device. It’s just a poor choice in this vehicle.
A pair of cup holders are located towards the rear of the center console. The rear most cup holder can be considered as a less than optimal location for mounting a tablet. This location should only be used for devices that do not need to be accessed while driving.
Consider the Arkon Car Cup Holder Phone and Midsize Tablet Mount. Adjust the 3-inch arm to tilt forward at the base to position the device towards the middle of the console. The adjustable cradle opens wide enough to accommodate most phones with or without a case or skin. The cradle can also accommodate small to midsize tablets.
Lexus NX 300 Mounting Summary
Like most compact SUVs, the Lexus NX 300 is a mounting challenge. The windshield, and vent are good locations with the cup holder working marginally for a tablet. The lack of an accessible seat bolt rules out that location. The large infotainment display negates use of the dashboard. The CD player is recessed in front of the transmission gear shift and makes a poor location for mounting a device.