Introduction
What Car? says...
Believe it or not, the latest Lexus NX is the first model in the Japanese car maker’s history to be available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
It’s surprising not only because the premium brands Lexus competes against have sold PHEVs for years, but also because the company was a trailblazer for ‘self-charging’ hybrid technology in the mid-Noughties. If you're not clear on the difference between the two types of hybrid, we can explain.
While numbers are undoubtedly very important, the Lexus NX needs to be a good car in other respects too. Among other things, it needs to offer good performance, and be comfortable, refined, practical and well built – and over the next few pages of this review we’ll tell you how good it really is, rating it in all the important areas.
When you’ve finished reading our reviews, we can help you get a great discount on your next new car through our free What Car? New Car Deals service. It's a great place to find some of the best new family SUV deals.
FAQs
The current NX is too new to have appeared in our 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey but Lexus as a brand came top out of 32 manufacturers.
It's not available as an electric car but it is available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) forms. The regular hybrid, the NX 350h, gets an electric motor and 2.5-litre petrol engine, and can travel short distances using just the motor. The PHEV NX 450h can officially travel up to 45 miles on electricity alone.
We think most buyers will be served best by the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, the NX 450h. Team that with Premium Pack trim (plus the optional Lexus Link Pro infotainment system), and you’ll have all the equipment you could want.
The main difference is how much kit you’re getting for your money. F Sport includes plenty of luxury for a very reasonable outlay. Range-topping Takumi models come with even more kit, including more upmarket interior finishes and a digital rear-view mirror, but also costs substantially more.
The NX has a 9.8in or 14in infotainment touchscreen, depending on the trim level. The smaller screen is slow to respond and struggles to load menus smoothly, while the larger screen reacts more quickly when you touch it and has bigger icons. All models come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring.
| RRP price range | £42,760 - £63,550 |
|---|---|
| Number of trims (see all) | 3 |
| Number of engines (see all) | 3 |
| Available fuel types (which is best for you?) | hybrid |
| MPG range across all versions | 256.8 - 49.5 |
| Available doors options | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £745 / £3,871 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £1,491 / £7,742 |
| Available colours |
