Professionals: Hybrid and PHEV are environment friendly and enjoyable; sharp styling; a number of normal tech; high security scores; good cargo area
Cons: A few of that tech is irritating to make use of (particularly the nonsensical HUD); much less again seat area than some rivals
Lexus clearly sees worth in zigging the place others zag in the case of the dimensions of its numerous SUVs. The 2025 Lexus NX is technically a compact SUV given its exterior dimensions, lining up with the Mercedes GLC, as an example, however inside it’s extra like a GLA or numerous subcompact luxurious SUVs. Its pricing extra carefully aligns with them too. That makes the 2025 NX an alternative choice to each segments, which actually isn’t such a foul factor. It most likely lands within the Goldilocks zone for lots of patrons due to it.
Finally, although, the NX’s most interesting attribute is alternative of hybrid powertrains. It affords standard and plug-in variants, neither of that are in nice provide within the luxurious SUV realm. If you wish to save on fuel whereas nonetheless having fun with a small luxurious SUV, you just about have to think about the Lexus NX 350h and 450h+.
Moreover these hybrids, the NX affords a well-made cabin and plenty of options, although the touchscreen interface can frustrate and again seat area is on the cramped facet. The cargo space is surprisingly helpful, although. All instructed, the NX household actually isn’t amongst our high selections within the phase, however its distinctive attributes make it value a severe look.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2025?
There are solely minor updates for 2025. Two USB-C ports are actually included within the entrance heart console, whereas wi-fi cellphone charging is obtainable on all variations. Computerized wipers, energy liftgate and automatic parking help with automated braking are actually normal tools.
What are the NX inside and in-car expertise like?
The NX has a good-looking, extraordinarily well-made cabin that will get even higher when spruced up with two-tone colour selections. Whereas three of its powertrains may be copy-pasted over from the Toyota RAV4, the inside most actually shouldn’t be. It’s in line with the remainder of the Toyota lineup.
That sadly does embrace points with the tech, nevertheless. The infotainment system options both an ordinary 9.8-inch display with devoted bodily local weather management toggles or an optionally available 14-inch unit that comes with a devoted mix of touch-sensitive and bodily consolation controls blended into the display’s decrease bezel. Irrespective of which you select, you get a bodily quantity knob. This represents an unlimited enchancment over that discovered within the earlier NX, however lacks split-screen performance and another primary gadgets, like a devoted residence display. Going between the native Lexus capabilities like radio or navigation, and the usual wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity screens is a continuing supply of tap-tap-tapping frustration. We’ve additionally discovered the satellite tv for pc radio interface to be poorly designed.
The infotainment display is fitted to a panel that blends into the instrument show, which itself incorporates a 7-inch display. Sixty-four-color ambient lighting is obtainable, together with wi-fi charging and the weird 10-inch head-up show (pictured under left) that is managed by unmarked buttons on the steering wheel (pictured under proper). It is bizarre and tough to make use of.
How huge is the NX?
The Lexus NX suits into the compact luxurious SUV phase. Populated by the likes of the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Acura RDX and Genesis GV70, this class appears to develop bigger yearly — each by way of the dimensions of its constituents and the sheer amount obtainable. The NX itself gained a further 5 cubic ft of cargo quantity with its redesign two years in the past however that did just about nothing to enhance its stature in a area the place it stays one of many smallest entries, corresponding to the likes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. In truth, though the NX’s exterior dimensions considerably exceed these of subcompacts just like the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA, its inside dimensions are fairly related.
That mentioned, we discovered that the cargo space is extra helpful than its modest 22-cubic-foot measurement would recommend. In our baggage check, we managed to suit our common six items of bags with room to spare. That features the sizable under-floor storage bin discovered on each NX mannequin (actually, cargo area is equal no matter powertrain), which not solely offers sufficient area for a duffel bag or groceries, however is designed to thoughtfully retailer the cargo cowl contained in the automotive.
What are the NX gasoline financial system and efficiency specs?
The NX comes with 4 obtainable engines and is obtainable in each front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.
The NX 250 has a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder. Paired with an eight-speed automated, it produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet – simply as that engine does in its platform relative, the Toyota RAV4. Its 0-60-mph time of 8.2 seconds is among the slowest of any luxury-brand automobile. With front-wheel drive, that is rated at 26 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 28 mpg mixed. Choosing all-wheel drive solely prices 1 mpg (each metropolis and freeway), however the mixed determine is oddly the identical.
The NX 350 and its 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four are good for 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. That output exceeds the BMX X3 xDrive30i, Mercedes GLC 300 and Acura RDX, particularly by way of torque. Oddly, although, its estimated 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds can be a few half-second slower than the X3 and GLC regardless of its energy benefit. It’s rated at 21 mpg metropolis, 28 mpg freeway and 24 mpg mixed with its normal all-wheel drive.
The NX 350h hybrid produces 240 complete system horsepower. This method incorporates an electronically managed constantly variable transmission and due to its normal rear motor, consists of all-wheel drive. Gasoline financial system checks in at 41 mpg metropolis, 37 mpg freeway and 39 mpg mixed.
Finally, probably the most interesting and distinctive powertrain choice is discovered within the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid. Its electrical motor offers the sleek, easy punch anticipated of a PHEV due to its 304 complete system horsepower. EPA estimates have the electric-only vary at 37 miles. The miles-per-gallon-equivalent ranking used to estimate a PHEV’s gasoline financial system is available in at 84 MPG-e.
What is the NX wish to drive?
The NX has two of probably the most potent powertrains obtainable within the phase (and two of the weakest, however we digress), however that doesn’t make it a performance-focused mannequin. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid and NX 350 turbo are heavy and softly suspended (even in F Sport guise) leading to an SUV that errs on the facet of consolation. The steering can be devoid of suggestions and placing the automotive in Sport mode provides an excessive amount of effort, as if that is all it takes to make a automotive’s steering participating. Outdated trick, not an efficient one. The journey is comfy as anticipated, and though the F Sport’s greater wheels do add some affect harshness, its adaptive suspension helps clean out the rougher edges.
As for the powertrain selections, we would follow the hybrids. The bottom engine is lifted proper out of the Toyota RAV4 and it feels and sounds identical to it. Energy is unremarkable for a luxurious automobile, and even when that is completely OK with you, the quite course engine word we begrudgingly tolerate within the RAV4 is simply uncouth in a Lexus. The NX 350h’s hybrid powertrain is a more sensible choice, particularly because it comes with a big-time gasoline financial system profit (even when it too is shared with the RAV4). The NX 350’s turbo engine comes with a big-time energy profit that you will undoubtedly need if that “energy is unremarkable for a luxurious automobile” concern above struck a chord, however as beforehand said, it hardly establishes the NX as a efficiency alternative. The 450h+ plug-in hybrid provides a bunch of clean, instantaneous low-end energy to the combo, and is subsequently the only option for attaining an excellent steadiness of efficiency and gasoline consumption.
What different Lexus NX evaluations can I learn?
2022 Lexus NX First Drive Evaluation | Imagine us, it truly is all new
This quietly competent crossover is at its finest in NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid type
2022 Lexus NX touchscreen infotainment assessment
New touchscreen indicators the top of Distant Contact and the way forward for Lexus tech
Lexus NX 450h+ Highway Check: A notch higher than adequate
We dive deep on the 450h+ PHEV model of the Lexus NX, our favourite model of Lexus’ compact SUV.
What’s the 2025 Lexus NX worth?
The Lexus NX isn’t actually supplied with the standard collection of trim ranges or “grades” as Toyota/Lexus likes to say. Every model, indicated with a quantity, is tied to a special powertrain. There are a selection of packages and choices obtainable for every, though not as many for the bottom NX 250.
One key distinction is the F Sport Dealing with variant for the NX 350 and NX 450h+. Moreover distinctive styling and 20-inch black-painted wheels, it will get sport seats and a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers.
All costs under embrace the vacation spot cost. We’re not totally positive what that’s since Lexus uniquely bakes it into the revealed worth. Good for them, all firms ought to try this.
NX 250 FWD: $41,765NX 250 AWD: $43,365
NX 350 AWD: $45,525NX 350 F Sport Dealing with AWD: $50,135
NX 350h AWD: $46,075
NX 450h+ AWD: $62,290
NX 250 AWD left and NX 350 AWD proper. Admittedly, we solely know that as a result of Lexus labeled the pictures as such. We do not know the way you’d have the ability to inform the distinction with out trying on the badge. Wheels, possibly?
What are the NX security rankings and driver help options?
Commonplace security tools on the 2025 NX consists of adaptive cruise management with cease/begin performance; ahead and rear collision detection, avoidance and automated emergency braking; lane holding help and lane departure warning with steering intervention; automated excessive beams; blind-spot warning; and an automatic parking system that features automated low-speed emergency braking. The automotive will even forestall you from opening the doorways if it detects incoming vehicles and cyclists from the rear.
Accessible security options embrace a surround-view digicam system, an enhanced blind-spot warning system, entrance cross-traffic alerts, corner-adaptive headlights and a digital rearview mirror.
The most recent-generation Lexus NX nonetheless hasn’t been crash examined by NHTSA, however the IIHS awarded the 2024 mannequin with its High Security Decide award. It scored the best-possible leads to all crash checks and even obtained high marks within the difficult-to-pass headlight check.
