Name: Lexus NX (2021 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Lexus NX
Rating: 73.0

Summary

The Lexus NX is a mid-sized upmarket SUV positioned between the compact UX and slightly larger RX in the Lexus SUV family.

Now in its second generation, the NX is the first model available as a plug-in hybrid in the Lexus range. The NX line-up consists of the entry-level NX 350h regular hybrid models, which can travel around a mile just using its battery, and the range-topping NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, which the brand says can cover up to 47 miles on electric power before the petrol engine needs to kick in.

Rivalling other premium SUVs like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, the Lexus NX has been warmly received by members of the motoring media, What Car? concluding that this latest NX generation is “the best car Lexus has launched for years.”

British reviewers have commended the NX for its comfortable and functional interior, which includes a generous specification of on-board technology as standard, along with a massively improved infotainment sytem. In addition, the battery range and low emissions of the NX 450h+ are particularly highly rated. Lexus is also known for the reliability of its models, and the brand is backing that up by offering the newest NX with a very generous ten-year warranty.

“Regardless of how good it is, however”, explains The Telegraph, “the plug-in hybrid only really makes sense if you finance it through a company – and there are equally good alternatives for a lot less money.” Many outlets agree with this sentiment, as the plug-in hybrid 450h costs over £10,000 more than the entry-level 350h hybrid models.

Carbuyer and Carwow also conclude that the 2.5-litre petrol engine found in all NX models is not very smooth and is loud under acceleration, while Parkers and Top Gear add that the SUV is not very exciting to drive overall, and considering its premium rivals, there is more fun to be found elsewhere.

As of October 2024, the Lexus NX holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 73%. This score is competitive in the medium SUV class and makes the NX the highest-scoring Lexus in our Expert Rating Index.

NX highlights

Comfortable and refined interior
Plenty of on-board tech as standard
Intuitive infotainment
Ten-year warranty
Impressive PHEV battery range

NX lowlights

PHEV model is expensive
So-so performance
Noisy petrol engine
Comparatively poor towing capacity
14-inch infotainment console is not standard

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £44,430 on-road

Launched: Winter 2021/22
Last updated: N/A
Next update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Efficient, comfortable and featuring impressive on-board technology, the Lexus NX is a premium SUV that competes with the class best.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“We try the Lexus NX 350h on UK roads to see if the hybrid SUV has the ability to challenge its plug-in and all-electric rivals.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 450h+
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s a case of ‘less is more’ with the new Lexus NX. That’s because there’s less fuss than before on the surface, and it’s a more convincing car as a result. Lexus has successfully identified where the new NX needed to improve over its predecessor, and it’s efficient, refined, comfortable, practical, relaxing to drive and now free of many of the irks that could put off buyers of more conventional premium SUVs from the German brands. “
Read review

Autocar+

Model reviewed: NX 350h E-Four
Score: 8 / 10
“Demands close consideration, despite a lack of driver appeal and so-so space, because it impresses for refinement, drivability, on-board tech and more.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
“New PHEV option arrives alongside a welcome cabin overhaul to sustain the allure of Lexus’s best-seller into its second generation.”
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 2.4-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid NX 450h F Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Lexus NX450h+ is not a cheap option, with prices starting at £48,800, but with its extra practicality and the impressively low running costs thanks to the hybrid drivetrain, it’s worthy of serious consideration against German rivals.”
Read review

Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It still won’t set any keen driver’s heart on fire, but the new Lexus NX is comfortable, efficient, and should prove utterly painless to own – helped by up to 10 years of warranty cover. And for many, that’ll be enough.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The Lexus NX is a smooth SUV and the new plug-in hybrid version has appeal as a company car.”
Author: Richard Ingram, Antony Ingram
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Lexus NX is a stylish, practical hybrid family SUV that’s packed with tech. It’s comfy and relaxing to drive, but it’s petrol engine can be noisy under hard acceleration.”
Read review

Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid NX 350h F Sport
“All in all, the new 2022 Lexus NX is a top-quality car that has been brought bang up to date. It boasts new styling, a wealth of technology and fabulous driving dynamics along the way.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“It’s like the Japanese Mercedes”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The latest Lexus NX is a typically sensible premium SUV. But it’s not just going to appeal to your head – impressive refinement and a very classy interior makes it strong competition for the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60, too.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The NX isn’t as engaging as a BMW X3 or as glamorous and desirable as a Range Rover Evoque but for those who value comfort, solidity and simplicity of ownership this looks like a great bet.”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid 350h F Sport
“Luxurious & useful family wagon – but sporty it ain’t.”
Read review

The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: NX 350h AWD Takumi
Score: 8 / 10
“The new NX is assured but unmoving, not the sort of car you’d get up early on a Sunday to have a quick blast in. It’s also well made, has an exemplary reputation for reliability and when you look at the PCP finance deals available, along with the historic strong trade-in values, it can be a pretty sensible-shoes choice.”
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Model reviewed: NX 450h plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“Lexus has done a fine job on housetraining the wayward Toyota RAV4 PHEV and the interior is a lovely space, but however good it is this car only really makes sense if you finance it through a company – and there are equally good alternatives for a lot less money.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“A decent enough all-rounder that’ll keep Lexus fans happy.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The Lexus NX 450h plug-in hybrid attracts a five-star rating on account of its plush interior, impressive refinement, substantial electric range, low emissions and low company car tax rate. If you can’t easily plug in your car, the NX 350h hybrid is a good compromise. It might not be as frugal or as hushed as the 450h, but it’s competitively priced, more efficient than non-hybrid rivals and should benefit from Lexus’s legendary reliability.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric hybrid NX 350h
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Lexus NX 350h hybrid large SUV promises comfort, practicality and plenty of luxuries while keeping your fuel bills down. If you’re a private buyer looking for a plush, relatively frugal, competitively priced large SUV, it’s a compelling package.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: March 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 83%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 83%
Safety assist: 91%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of October 2024, the Lexus NX has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of October 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Lexus NX to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the NX, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	42 mpg	D	17 – 50 mpg	B – E
Plug-in hybrid models	267 mpg	A	257 – 314 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	136 g/km	B	129 – 175 g/km	A – C
Plug-in hybrid models	24 g/km	A	21 – 26 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	44 miles	D	42 – 46 miles	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	36	C	29 – 41	C – D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£308	C
Year 2	£764	C
Year 3	£1,239	C
Year 4	£1,495	C
Year 5	£1,867	C
Overall	£5,673	C

The Lexus NX is pretty middling in costs to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The plug-in hybrid model looks amazingly cheap in terms of fuel consumption and road tax (CO₂ emissions), but this is largely because the EU/UK government lab test are useless at measuring plug-in hybrids. There is no real-world scenario where you will travel 270 miles on one gallon (4.5 litres) and a bit of electricity.