The Lexus NX premium compact SUV was completely revamped in 2022 and saw very few modifications in 2023. The base, turbocharged, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains give buyers plenty of options. Although quiet and comfy, several amenities, like a hands-free liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, or the new, more prominent multimedia display, are available in costly option packages.
The 250 trim level of the NX has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and has a starting price of $39,755 for front-wheel drive and $40,205 for all-wheel purpose (AWD), both of which include a $1,150 destination charge. The NX 350, which starts at $43,695, has a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine and is the only variant available without all-wheel drive. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV) costs $57,705, while the NX 350h hybrid costs $41,955. Wireless phone connection is a brand-new feature for 2023, and the 350 and 450h+ may be equipped with the F Sport Handling option, which adds a sport-style suspension. The Premium and Luxury trim levels and the 350 F SPORT Handling AWD and 450h+ F SPORT AWD are available.
The Acura RDX, Cadillac XT4, and Lincoln Corsair, which also has a PHEV variant, are three small premium rivals of the NX. Additionally, there are vehicles like the Volvo XC40, Infiniti QX50, Audi Q3, and BMW X3. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the NX 350 is more powerful and somewhat more fuel efficient than equivalent engines in Acura, Cadillac, or Lincoln. Still, it has less legroom overall and less luggage capacity than the RDX and Corsair. Sportier driving experiences are available from BMW, Audi, and the Genesis GV70.
The NX and Toyota RAV4 both use the same architecture, as well as basic and hybrid powertrains. The 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter in the NX 350 is a better option for performance, while the basic 2.5-liter seems inadequate. The 350h hybrid, which combines an electric motor with the same 2.5-liter engine, is the sweet spot. Although it feels a little growly under heavy acceleration and doesn’t quite live up to its luxury name, it’s suitable for daily driving and is less expensive than the non-hybrid NX 350.
The 450h+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has the same hybrid drivetrain but can have a fuel-free range of up to 37 miles. Range anxiety doesn’t exist as long as gas is in the tank since it switches back to traditional hybrid operating when that runs out. However, it costs $14,850 more than the hybrid. A new infotainment system with subscription-based services, such as a virtual assistant and cloud navigation, was incorporated with the 2022 makeover. While the outward appearance, particularly the enormous “spindle” grille, might be divisive, the inside is attractive, and the materials are of the highest quality.
It impressively receives the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s top honor, Top Safety Pick+, and the hybrid battery on the 350h and 450h+ is warranted for ten years or 150,000 miles. The NX isn’t head and shoulders above other models in any one area in this fiercely competitive sector, except for its exceptional fuel efficiency. Still, it does provide enough amenities and engine options to make it a competitor, particularly in its hybrid incarnations. It also has the distinctive Lexus combination of smooth, trouble-free operation and high quality.
Performance: Lexus NX
With the NX, Lexus offers four engine options, covering all the basics. The base NX 250 has an eight-speed automated gearbox and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Although it is the most affordable NX method, it lacks power and feels harsh. It is also the only NX with front-wheel drive. However, all-wheel drive (AWD) is an option. The NX 350, which has an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, is a superior option for gas-only vehicles.
The NX 350h is the first of the other two options, which are hybrids. It uses a different 2.5-liter engine than the standard one but with Atkinson fuel-saving technology. That reduces it to 189 horsepower, but when fuel and electricity are combined, the system generates 239 horsepower. The front wheels are driven by an automated continuously variable transmission (CVT), and when necessary, a rear electric motor offers fuel-free all-wheel drive (AWD).
Although it has the same engine, the NX 450h+ PHEV can produce up to 302 horsepower. It can go up to 37 miles on its batteries alone after being plugged in. No “range anxiety” exists if you can’t instantly recharge it since it switches back to regular hybrid operating when it runs out. The 450h+ is the quickest of the NXs, and it feels it from behind the wheel, much like the comparable Toyota RAV4 Prime.
Fuel efficiency:
With a 2.5-litre engine and front-wheel drive, the standard NX 250 achieves an EPA rating of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the interstate, and 28 mpg overall. Although it loses one mpg on the interstate and in the city when equipped with AWD, it still achieves a 28 mpg combined rating. The NX 350 gets 22 cities, 29 highways, and 25 combined mpg thanks to a more powerful turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. The Acura RDX, Cadillac XT4, and Lincoln Corsair all get 24 mpg combined, somewhat better than comparable turbocharged-and-AWD competitors.
Naturally, hybrid versions perform even better. The NX 350h is rated at 41 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 39 mpg overall. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid is heavier and gets 36 mpg in mixed driving, but after being plugged in and charged, it has an EPA-estimated all-electric range of 37 miles. Although it also has a plug-in option, the Lincoln Corsair only has a combined fuel economy rating of 33 mpg and an electric-only range of 28 miles.
Safety & Driver Assistance Tech:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not assessed the NX for the 2022 and newer models, which somewhat reduces its rating. However, it received five stars for the 2021 and older versions. Despite the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) stricter crash testing, it gets the highest Safety Pick+ designation. This includes passing the revised front and side crash tests with the highest possible “Good” ratings, which more accurately mimic being hit by a big SUV and which many cars aren’t passing even if they passed the previous tests with a “Good” rating.
All model levels come standard with eight airbags, adaptive cruise control with curve speed control, emergency front braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance with steering, lane tracing, road sign recognition, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic warning. Lane-change assistance, a 360-degree camera, and parking assistance with mechanical brakes are all options.
Comfort and Space
Most people will feel incredibly comfortable inside the NX thanks to its supportive seats, comfy ride, and quiet interior. However, some of its competitors do better in terms of internal space. Although back-seat headroom is identical across all four cars, the Lexus’ 38.3 inches of front-seat headroom is smaller than that of the Cadillac XT4, Lincoln Corsair, or Acura RDX, at 39.4 and 39.5 inches, respectively. Compared to its competitors, the NX offers less front-seat legroom (41 inches vs. 44.1 inches for the XT4) and less rear-seat legroom (36.1 inches vs. 38 inches for the Acura to 39.5 inches in the Cadillac).
Dual-zone climate control and eight-way power-adjustable, heated front seats are standard on the NX but features like driver-side memory, a power-adjustable steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a hands-free power liftgate, and a moonroof must be added as part of the Premium Package, which costs an extra $3,050 on the 250, 350, and 350h models.
Infotainment: Lexus NX
Except for the NX 450h+, which has a 14-inch screen that is optional on all other trims, all models come standard with a 9.8-inch central touchscreen. Both take advantage of subscription-based services, such as destination assistance, voice control that activates when you say “Hey, Lexus,” and cloud navigation. Each service has a three-year trial period on the bigger screen. Although a wireless charger—now often a standard feature on less expensive mainstream models—remains an option on all trims, you can connect your phone wirelessly through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
The Lexus voice control is quite adequate, and there are a few physical controls, such as knobs for the radio level and cabin temperature, but certain operations, like fan speed or heating or cooling the seats, still require touching the screen. Compared to buttons, they demand more time looking away from the road to locate and correctly handle them.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The NX’s 2022 makeover somewhat increased luggage room, but it’s still modest compared to many competitors, offering 22.7 cubic feet of space with the back seats in place and 46.9 cubic feet when folded. The XT4 is comparable, dedicating more of its interior space to passenger legroom. At the same time, the Corsair offers 27.6 cubic feet, and the RDX has 29.5, exceeding the NX’s capacity with the seats folding by more than ten cubic feet in both vehicles.
Despite the vast liftgate opening, putting objects inside requires a high lift-over. Only the NX 450h+ has a hands-free power liftgate as standard equipment; on all other models, a hands-free liftgate is available as part of an option package. The front small-item storage is decent but not exceptional. However, if you choose the optional wireless charger, it is neatly concealed in a front cubby and has a pull-out cover so you can store goods on the body while still hiding your device.
Design: Lexus NX
The “spindle” grille, a trademark of Lexus that has drawn criticism, is present on the NX and is unquestionably huge and commanding on this little vehicle. For a car, this little, the side creases are also a little heavy-duty, but everything smooths out towards the back, even the lights that span the liftgate.
The (up to) 14-inch infotainment screen dominates the asymmetrical center stack and forms the top of the dash panel’s “eyebrow” that extends over the instrument cluster. The interior lines match those of the exterior. It seems somewhat gimmicky that the door handles are electronic buttons, particularly given that there is also a lever for the manual override. However, the interior does seem impressive overall, particularly considering the premium materials and superior fit and finish.
Is the 2023 Lexus NX Worth It?
The base NX 250 costs $39,755 for front-wheel drive and $41,355 for all-wheel purposes (AWD); all prices include a $1,150 delivery charge. All other grades, including the $43,515 NX 350 with a more potent turbocharged engine, are exclusively available with all-wheel drive. The Acura RDX with AWD starts at $45,145 and has a comparable powerful turbocharged engine, so this is a little less expensive; but, the Cadillac XT4 and the Lincoln Corsair also have turbocharged and AWD models that start at $39,990 and $42,385, respectively.
The NX 350h hybrid offers the most excellent value for the money at $43,105, which is cheaper than its gasoline-only 350 brothers while providing much greater fuel efficiency. However, many high-end options, such as the 14-inch infotainment screen, power liftgate, heated seats, driver-side memory, rain-sensing wipers, sunroof, or wireless charging, are optional.
At $57,705, the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid represents a significant upgrade over the NX 350h, but the $14,000+ price difference also includes almost all of those add-ons as standard equipment. The price difference decreases to around $5,600 if you choose the NX 350 with the NX 450h+’s essential gear. That’s still a lot, but driving the plug-in hybrid often and often enough may save you a lot of money on gas.
How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Lexus NX?
Lexus NX’s insurance rates are comparable to those of many of its rivals. Our statistics show an average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record ranges from $2,136 to $2,334 across all 50 states. The standard Acura RDX costs $1,875; the Cadillac XT4 costs $2,110; and the Lincoln Corsair costs $2,107.
Verdict
With four engine options, including a hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), the Lexus NX small luxury SUV provides “something for everyone.” For 2023, performance suspension and sports seats are now available as turbocharged NX 350 and 450h+ PHEV options. The NX is a strong challenger in the market and provides a quiet and pleasant cabin. However, many of its luxury amenities are only available in expensive packages, and its cargo space and legroom lag below those of the leading competitors. As a result, it does not stand out much from its rivals.
