The NX Hybrid is the popular luxury crossover from Lexus. It delivers a cushy ride, classy cabin, lots of standard features and tech, and excellent fuel economy. It can be described as the Goldilocks of compact luxury SUVs as it hits the sweet spot in features that consumers want. Still, it’s not without some issues including less athletic handling than some rivals, below average cargo space, and a love-it-or-hate-it grille.
Base Price: $48,795
As Tested: $55,775
Horsepower: 240
Mileage: 41 mpg city/37 mpg highway/39 mpg combined
The NX Hybrid was redesigned for the 2022 model year and is now in its second generation. There were no major changes for 2023, and for 2024, park assist becomes available. There’s room for five passengers in three rows of seating.
The grille may be the first thing you notice when you spot the Lexus NX Hybrid. It debuted on the 2015 model, with Lexus calling it a spindle grille. To me, it kinda looks like a menacing jack-o-lantern face which I think is cool but not everyone is a fan.
The 2024 Lexus NX traditional hybrid comes in three trims: 350h, 350h Premium, and 350h Luxury. Starting prices are $44,615, $47,655 to $50,755, respectively. All-wheel drive is standard on all trims.
The 450h+ and 450h+ F Sport Handling are plug-in hybrids. Starting prices are $59,905 and $61,155. Read my review of the 2023 Lexus NX 450+ Luxury.
There are two powertrains. The NX 350h gets a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and three electric motors. Total output is 240 horsepower. Acceleration is respectable. Lexus says it can go from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.
The 450h+ plug-in hybrid has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, three electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. Total output is 304 horses. Lexus says it can sprint from zero to 60 mph in 6 seconds and it has an all-electric range of 37 miles. The top-of-the-line 450h+ F Sport Handling has an adaptive performance suspension, performance dampers, front sport seats, and a sport steering wheel and sportier exterior trim features.
Every powertrain is paired with a continuously variable transmission.
The 2024 NX 350h has pleasant driving dynamics. No, it doesn’t have the athletic performance of some rivals, but it drives like a Lexus, which is a compliment. The NX 350h is easy to handle and brakes have a normal feel unlike the squishiness you find on some hybrids. The NX 350h corners well but there’s little steering feel. The ride is mostly smooth but you will notice big bumps and very rough roads. The CVT is unobtrusive most of the time but can drone a bit when you floor the accelerator. Visibility is good all the way around. All in all, the NX 350h is all about a compliant, refined ride over sporty performance.
Fuel economy is good for a luxury hybrid SUV. EPA ratings for my tester are 41 mpg city and 37 mpg highway with a combined rating of 37. I got 37 mpg during my week with a mix of highway and city driving. Premium fuel is required.
The cabin is nice with high-quality materials as you’d expect in a Lexus. While it’s not as opulent as some rivals, it has a clean design with many soft-touch materials. The infotainment system dominates the dash. Front row occupants enjoy good leg- and headroom and comfortable, supportive seats. The backseat isn’t as roomy and has a big hump in the middle, making it suitable for two instead of three adults. The doors have electric push-button releases, which can be a bit annoying to use.
Standard features include remote start, proximity keyless entry, rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, seven-inch digital instrument cluster display, infotainment system with 9.8-inch touchscreen, navigation, 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, voice recognition, Wi-Fi hot spot, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Available features include a digital key, surround-view parking camera system, head-up display, rear-camera mirror, real leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, driver’s seat and steering wheel memory settings, paddle shifters, heated steering wheel, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated and power-folding rear seats, infotainment system with 14-inch touchscreen, 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, ambient interior lighting, rain-sensing windshield wipers, adaptive headlights, moonroof, and panoramic moonroof.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, and vehicle exit warning (alerts passengers exiting the NX of other vehicles approaching from behind).
Available driver assistance technologies include lane-change assist, front cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and hands-free park assist.
The infotainment system looks great with crisp graphics, whether you have the 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen. The screen is curved toward the driver, making it easy to see and reach. The menu arrangement is a bit complicated so you’ll need some time to get used to the system.
Cargo space is below average for the segment. There are 22.7 cubic feet of space with both rows of seating in place, and 46.9 cubes with the second row folded. A hands-free power liftgate is optional.
The good:
Typical Lexus handling
Comfortable, easy to drive
Good fuel economy
Quality interior
Many standard and available features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Not as sporty as some rivals
Below average cargo space
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $48,795. Panoramic view monitor, lane change assist and front cross-traffic alert are $1,070. Advanced Park is $480. Power-folding heated rear seats are $1,030. Mark Levinson Premium Audio system is $1,020. Wireless phone charger and digital key are $450. Digital rearview mirror is $200. 29-inch Alloy wheels are $1,310. Carpet cargo mat is $140. Rear bumper protector is $130. Delivery fee is $1,150 bringing the grand total to $55,775.
Bottom line:
The 2024 Lexus NX Hybrid is a strong contender among compact luxury SUVs. It’s a pleasant daily driver with its compliant handling, has a comfortable and upscale cabin, comes with many standard features and gets good gas mileage. While it doesn’t have the athletic performance of some rivals and cargo space is limited, it’s still a good, well-rounded hybrid crossover and is worth consideration.
