Advantage: Efficient and fun Hybrid and PHEV; sharp styling; lots of standard technology
Defect: Some of those technologies are annoying to use (especially the pointless HUD); Less rear seat space than some rivals
Lexus NX 2023 comes to us as a brand new crossover last year, and what made it good then remains true to this day. There are four different powertrain options — there’s no shortage of options — and two easy combinations to choose from in the group. The more budget-friendly choice is the 350h, which is a regular hybrid, but the 450h+ PHEV adds more powerful performance with more power and an impressive all-electric range of 57km. It is true that the 450h+ is more expensive, but you are getting a lot of capabilities for the cost and you will definitely save money on gas.
Lexus let us down a bit with some nasty interior tech, including Lexus’ latest infotainment system and an unusual reliance on an available head-up display to control functions. different. The NX isn’t your top pick in this compact luxury crossover segment if maximum utility is essential — if you need a larger Lexus, RX will do the trick. The NX also doesn’t top the list when it comes to driving fun. The F Sport Handling models improve things a bit with improved performance, but never cross the threshold of being a performance-oriented SUV like Alfa Romeo Stelvio or BMW X3 (even just Acura RDX will provide more interaction). Efficiency and the desire for Lexus-style luxury — hopefully synonymous with long-term reliability — are the two biggest reasons to put the NX at the top of your list.
Furniture & Technology | Passenger & cargo space | Performance & Fuel Economy
How to drive? | Price & Features | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What’s new for 2023?
The NX is all-new for 2022 and there are no noticeable changes to the lineup for 2023. You can read about the redesigned 2022 model This.
How is the interior and technology in the car of the Lexus NX?
While it can be difficult to distinguish the second-generation NX from its predecessor at a glance from the outside, the same cannot be said about the cabin. The NX has a redesigned interior that ditches the silly old trackpad infotainment interface that Lexus pledged to use when the model itself was introduced in 2014. A new touchscreen (yes, yes) , touchscreen) located atop the center stack that no longer protrudes into the front passenger space. Instead, it sits on the recessed center console, which houses a new, Prius-inspired gear selector. The basic layout shares almost nothing with the mainstream TOYOTA RAV4 and the materials used are fit for a Lexus. That said, we can do without silly electronic door handles.
While the redesigned cabin gives the identical-looking NX a completely dated look, the biggest upgrades are in technology, not in aesthetics. The new infotainment system is equipped with a standard 9.8-inch screen with dedicated physical climate control on/off buttons or an optional 14-inch unit combines a dedicated mix of physical and touch comfort controls incorporated into the bottom bezel of the display. Regardless of which one you choose, you get a physical volume knob. This represents a huge improvement over the previous NX (and basically every other Lexus) but lacks split-screen functionality and some other basic items, such as a dedicated home screen. Between the original Lexus functions like radio or navigation and the standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity display is a constant source of frustration.
The infotainment screen is fitted to a dashboard in conjunction with the instrument display, which itself has a 7-inch screen. Sixty-four-color ambient lighting is available, along with wireless charging and an odd 10-inch windshield display (pictured top right) controlled by unmarked buttons on the steering wheel. It’s weird and hard to use. There are also standard built-in music streaming services like Apple Music, digital phone keys, user profiles for car settings, digital rearview mirror plus AI assistant that responds to your needs. natural voice commands.
How big is the Lexus NX?
The Lexus NX is suitable for the compact luxury SUV segment. Popularized by people who like BMW X3, Audi Q5Acura RDX and Genesis GV70, this class seems to get bigger and bigger each year — both in terms of the size of the ingredients and the sheer amount available. The NX itself has added 5 cubic feet of cargo volume with the redesign but that hardly improves its stature in an area where it remains one of the smallest, comparable to Rivals like Alfa Romeo Stelvio. In fact, although the NX’s external dimensions significantly exceed the dimensions of small cars like BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA, its interior dimensions are quite similar.
That said, we found the cargo area more useful than its modest 22 cubic foot measurement. In our baggage test, we managed to fit six pieces of regular luggage with room left over. That includes the sizable underfloor storage found on every NX model (in fact, cargo space is equal regardless of powertrain), not only providing enough space for duffle bags or groceries but also designed to thoughtfully store the cargo cover inside the car.
What is NX‘Fuel economy and performance specs?
The NX is currently available with four engines and is offered in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations.
The new one NX250 (above, top left corner) has a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it makes 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque — just like that engine underpins its relative, TOYOTA RAV4. With front-wheel drive, this car is rated at 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. The all-wheel-drive option consumes just 1 mpg (both in the city and on the highway), for a final figure of 25/32/28.
The NX 350 (above, lower left) and a new 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder making 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. That output exceeds BMX X3 xDrive30i, Mercedes GLC 300 and Acura RDX, especially in terms of torque. Oddly, however, its estimated 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds is also about half a second slower than the X3 and GLC despite the power advantage. It’s rated at 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg combined with standard all-wheel drive.
The NX 350h hybrid (above, top right) produces a total system output of 239 hp. This system is paired with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission and, due to its standard rear engine, includes all-wheel drive. Test fuel economy at 41 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 39 mpg combined.
Finally, the most attractive powertrain option to be found in NX 450h+ Dip into the mixture (top, bottom right). Its electric motor delivers the smooth, effortless punch expected of a PHEV thanks to a total system output of 304 hp. It can travel 37 miles, according to EPA estimates, on electric power alone. Mile/gallon equivalent rating used to estimate PHEV’s energy saving comes in at 84 MPG-e.
The towing package allows the NX to tow trailers weighing up to 2,000 pounds.
What NX likes to drive?
The NX’s powertrain overhaul has turned it from one of the least efficient compact crossovers to one of the most powerful in theory, but it’s still not really a performance-focused model. . The 450h+ plug-in hybrid and the 350 turbo are both powerful but heavy, and the slightly suspended NX (even in F Sport guise) is to blame on the comfort aspect. The steering is also unresponsive, and putting the car into Sport mode takes too much effort, as if that’s all it takes to make driving enjoyable. Old trick, doesn’t work. The ride is comfortable except, and although the F Sport’s larger wheels add some harsh bumps, its adaptive suspension helps smooth out rougher edges.
As for powertrain options, we’ll stick with hybrids. The base engine is lifted straight from the Toyota RAV4 and it feels and sounds exactly the same. Strength is insignificant for a luxury carand even if that’s perfectly fine with you, the tool instead of the course notes that we’re reluctant to accept in RAV4 just rude in a Lexus. The Hybrid powertrain, which is much more refined than the last NX hybrid, is a better option, especially since it comes with big fuel economy benefits (even if it’s also shared with the RAV4). . The 350’s new turbo comes with a massive power benefit you’ll definitely want if the “negligible power for a luxury vehicle” concern above has taken a hit, but as mentioned above. said earlier, it’s hard to establish NX as a performance option. The 450h+ plug-in hybrid adds a smooth, instantaneous range of low-end power to the mix, and is therefore the best choice for achieving the ideal balance between performance and fuel economy.
What other Lexus NX reviews can I read?
Review of first time driving Lexus NX 2022 | Believe us, it’s really all new
This silently capable crossover works best in plug-in hybrid NX 450h+
Review of Lexus NX 2022 touchscreen infotainment
New touch screen signals the end of Remote Touch and the future of Lexus technology
2022 Lexus NX 450h+ Road Test: Better is good enough
We take a deep dive into the 450h+ PHEV version of the Lexus NX, our favorite version of Lexus’ compact SUV.
How much does NX 2023 cost and what features does it have?
The NX is likely to come in six different variants, starting with the NX 250 for $40,905. This FWD model is pretty straightforward, offering synthetic seating surfaces, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, a 10-speaker audio system, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. LED headlights and daytime running lights as well as an automatic anti-glare rearview mirror are also standard equipment.
Higher-end models like the 350h and 450h+ are available with luxury features like a superb 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, integrated navigation (with 12-inch infotainment system), heated steering wheel and trunk after electric adjustment, and many other features.
Every trim above the base comes standard with AWD and increasingly powerful powertrain and interior packages. Both the turbocharged NX 350 AWD and the NX 450h+ can be ordered with the F Sport handling package that adds adaptive dampers, F Sport seats with larger cushions, 20-inch black painted wheels, and more. Full breakdown with destination charges included:
- NX 250: $40.905
- NX 250 AWD: $42,505
- NX 350 AWD: $44,665
- NX 350 F Sport AWD Handling: $50,215
- NX 350h AWD: $44,255
- NX 450h+ AWD: $58,855
- NX 450h+ F Sport AWD Handling: $61,055
What are the NX’s safety ratings and driver assistance features?
Lexus NX 2023 has not been crash tested by NHTSA, but IIHS gave the 2022 model the highest possible Top Safety Pick+ title. It achieved the best possible results in all crash tests and even scored top in the hard-to-pass headlight test.
Standard safety equipment on the NX 2023 includes adaptive cruise control with stop/start function; front and rear collision detection, avoidance and automatic emergency braking; lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning with steering intervention; automatic high beam and blind spot warning. The car will also prevent you from opening the door if it detects cars and cyclists approaching from behind.
Available safety features include a surround-view camera system, an enhanced blind-spot warning system, forward cross-traffic alert, adaptive cornering headlights and a digital rearview mirror.
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