Lexus’s answer to the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes GLC, and Volvo XC60 is the stylish NX, which sits between the UX and RX. With two hybrid powertrains, at least on paper, the NX promises to offer something different from its European rivals. Striking looks, a well-appointed cabin and solid build quality are some of the highlights. But has it really got what it takes to convince luxury SUV? We road-tested an NX 450h+ to answer that.
AA Cars Rating: 4.2/5
How we test carsThe Lexus NX gets many things right. If you want a plush cabin, build-quality, long-term reliability, fuel efficiency and a driving experience that is more cossetting that exciting, the Lexus NX might be for you. And it might not be for you if you want more driver engagement and a stronger sense of performance.
Adithya is the Content Editor at AA Cars and a Motoring Journalist, with over 1,000 published articles across numerous publications.
Read bioThe Lexus NX range starts from £46,695 for the NX 350h self-charging hybrid, while the plug-in hybrid NX 450h+ starts at £52,095. The range-topping NX 350h F Sport Takumi is listed at £63,695. Higher trims of the NX 450h+ versions are more expensive, but the entry-level version still undercuts rivals such as the Audi Q5.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for huge savings, used examples start at £25,500 on AA Cars, rising to upwards of £50,000 for recent, low-mileage models in nearly new condition.
Lexus has also announced an updated NX for spring 2027, but it is not yet officially available.
There are two powertrain options for the NX:
The NX 450h+ also offers an all-electric range of around 44 miles and supports a full recharge in roughly 2.5 hours with a home wall box.
Unlike its European rivals, Lexus does things a bit differently. The focus is more on a smooth, EV-like driving experience. The NX 450h+ combines a 2.5-litre inline-four petrol engine with two electric motors and an 18.1kWh battery. This means it starts on electric power most of the time and can drive at light throttle inputs using electric power alone. This translates to a quiet drive with instant throttle response and linear power delivery.
Under heavy acceleration, the engine kicks in smoothly, but it is noticeable as it sounds slightly intrusive and produces an underlying vibration. This happens more frequently if the battery is low on charge, although the NX cleverly tries to top up the battery using brake regeneration. Performance is strong, with 62mph coming up in just 6.4 seconds. The NX 450h+ feels rapid, especially in Sport and Sport+ modes, with acceleration that masks its speed well.
Having said that, the NX is not happy being hustled like some of its rivals with turbocharged petrol engines. Although rapid, the powertrain tends to get noisy at high rpm, which is particularly evident because the NX uses an E-CVT. The NX feels best when driven sedately and, for that kind of driving, it’s impressively smooth. Some buyers might appreciate this character, while buyers looking for a more involving powertrain experience are better off with other SUVs.
Our test car, the NX 450h+ F Sport Takumi, was fitted with 20-inch wheels. Despite this, the ride quality remained plush at all speeds. There’s a slight hint of choppiness at motorway speeds, but not enough to be a deal-breaker. At low speeds, the ride quality is comfortable and the NX does a good job of insulating passengers from the road surface.
Given the ride quality, we expected the NX to have significant body roll and looser body control. However, around corners, the NX feels taut and predictable, although it is a long way from being engaging. The steering is precise and well weighted, with positive turn-in and front-end bite. At the limit, the NX moves into understeer (pushes wide), but does so safely and progressively.
Despite its tall stance, the NX feels reasonably agile, with well-contained body roll and good overall stability. The brakes are also strong, but there are occasional moments when you can feel the transition between regenerative and friction braking. It is not as intrusive as it is in some cars.
Overall, the NX feels more comfortable than a BMW X3, while it doesn’t offer the same accomplished ride quality as the Audi Q5. In that sense, it occupies a good middle ground, but it is definitely better suited to buyers who prefer an effortless luxury SUV.
Lexus has paid meticulous attention to the interior, as we’ve come to expect from the Japanese brand. It uses premium materials such as soft-touch plastics, leather and brushed aluminium throughout the cabin, alongside interesting surfaces and textures. In comparison, the NX’s cabin quality feels a notch more premium than that of the new Audi Q5.
The dashboard design is dominated by the large 14-inch touchscreen, with crisp graphics and intuitive controls. Engineers have clearly considered user-friendliness, as the cabin features physical knobs for temperature and volume controls. So, not only does it have design panache, but the Lexus NX’s cabin is also more user-focused in contrast to rivals that integrate everything into large screens.
Boot space is a respectable 545 litres with all seats in place, expanding to 1,436 litres with the rear seats folded. The boot floor is flat, and a powered tailgate is standard on all models for easy loading. Cabin storage includes large door bins, cupholders and a deep centre console, while rear passengers benefit from dedicated air vents and USB charging points.
The front seats are among the most supportive and comfortable in the class, with electric adjustment, plus heating and ventilation available on higher trims. You sit deep in the seats, rather than on them, and the seating position itself is highly adjustable.
The rear seats follow the same theme, with good under-thigh support and knee room. Although not the most spacious SUV in its class, it offers adequate room and, most importantly, doesn’t feel cramped. The rear seats fold 60:40 but do not slide forwards or backwards. Overall, cabin and boot space are generous rather than class leading.
Technology is a highlight of the Lexus NX, with every trim featuring impressive standard equipment. Urban models use a 9.8-inch touchscreen, while other trims feature a 14-inch unit. The system is easy to use, and the driver’s digital display is also clear and high quality. It can present a lot of information at first, but you soon get used to everything.
The steering wheel features numerous physical buttons with haptic functionality. The head-up display recreates a digital image of the steering-wheel controls, so you can use them without taking your eyes off the road. This is intuitive and far better than having touch-sensitive buttons.
Details like these make it clear that Lexus has put considerable thought into usability, and it’s refreshing to see innovative features combined with physical controls that make the system easier to use.
Feature highlights include eight-way adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, seat memory, a 360-degree panoramic camera, an acoustic windscreen and front side glass, and an easy-entry and exit function. The 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, standard in higher trims, offers exceptional, concert-like audio quality, with crisp vocals, detailed instruments and a surround soundstage.
The NX 350h is offered in Urban, Premium, Premium Plus, F Sport, Takumi and F Sport Takumi grades. The NX 450h+ range begins with Premium and follows the same hierarchy above that.
Exterior colours include Nova White, Graphite Black, Terrane Khaki, Celestial Blue, Sonic Titanium (£450), Sonic Grey (£450), Sonic Red (£450), and Sonic Copper (£450). Interior choices include Black, Hazel, Rich Cream and F Sport-specific schemes, with leather or synthetic upholstery and metal or wood trim accents.
The Lexus NX achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2022, scoring 91% for adult-occupant protection, 87% for child-occupant protection, 83% for vulnerable-road-user protection and 91% for safety assist.
Standard safety equipment includes Lexus Safety System+, featuring radar cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a pre-collision system. Additional features include traffic-sign recognition, automatic high-beam assistance and safe-exit assist.
The advanced driver-assistance systems worked as expected during our extended test. Lane Trace Assist also kept the car correctly positioned, although the driver must keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times.
Lexus provides a three-year/60,000-mile manufacturer warranty, with service-activated cover available up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Hybrid components and the hybrid battery have dedicated five-year/60,000-mile cover, while the NX 450h+ also receives a five-year/60,000-mile battery-degradation warranty.
The NX 350h officially returns 43.4–47.8mpg, with CO₂ emissions of 134–143g/km. The NX 450h+ is rated at 83–97.4mpg weighted combined and 65–74g/km. As with any plug-in hybrid, achieving the official weighted figure depends on regular charging and completing a high proportion of journeys on electric power.
For a more representative figure, during our test the NX 450h+ averaged 45mpg over mixed driving without being plugged in, when used like a conventional hybrid.
First-year VED is £560 for the NX 350h and £135 for the NX 450h+, based on current official CO₂ figures. From the second year, the standard annual rate is £200. Because every current NX has a list price above £40,000, each also attracts the £440 Expensive Car Supplement for five years, taking the annual total to £640 during that period.
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