Lexus NX review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

The interior of the Lexus NX is a lovely place to spend time. It feels incredibly well-built and luxurious, with high-quality materials and a real sense of craftsmanship. The design is just as sharp and modern as the exterior, with a driver-focused layout that cocoons you in the driving seat.

A large touchscreen, which grew from seven to 10 inches on post-2017 models, sits proudly in the centre of the dashboard. The only real fly in the ointment is how you control it. Instead of being a simple touchscreen, it’s operated by a touchpad on the centre console, which can be quite fiddly and distracting to use when you're driving.

Comfort

Lexus is a brand that’s famous for comfort, and the NX is designed to be a serene and relaxing car. The hybrid powertrain is whisper-quiet around town, and the cabin is very well insulated from wind and road noise on the motorway. It’s a superb car for long, stress-free journeys.

However, the ride quality can be a bit disappointing. The suspension is quite firm, especially on sporty F-Sport models, so it tends to feel a bit unsettled over bumps and potholes around town. It’s a shame because in other respects, the NX is a very comfortable and refined car.

Quality

This is where the Lexus NX really shines. Lexus has a peerless reputation for reliability and build quality, and the NX feels like it has been screwed together with incredible precision. Every switch and button has a solid, satisfying feel, and the materials used throughout the cabin are top-notch.

It might not have quite the same flashy design as some German rivals, but the underlying quality is superb. Owners consistently rate Lexus at the very top of reliability and customer satisfaction surveys, so you can buy an NX with a huge amount of confidence that it won't let you down.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

For a car with such large exterior dimensions, the interior space in the NX is a little disappointing. There's plenty of room up front, but passengers in the back might feel a bit short-changed. While there’s enough space for two adults to sit comfortably, legroom and headroom aren't as generous as in some rivals.

A clever touch is the completely flat floor in the back, with no transmission tunnel getting in the way. This gives the middle-seat passenger plenty of space for their feet. But, in truth, the narrow cabin means it’s best to think of the NX as a spacious four-seater.

Boot space

The boot in the Lexus NX offers 475 litres of space. While this is a good, usable size that will be plenty for most families, it is a bit smaller than the boots you'll find in rivals like the BMW X3 or Jaguar F-Pace. This is partly because the NX comes with a space-saver spare wheel as standard, which eats into the available room.

The boot itself is a good, square shape, and the floor is flat, which makes sliding heavy items in and out much easier. The rear seats also fold down to open up a much larger load area when you need to carry bulky items.

Driving

Driving experience

If you’re looking for an exciting and engaging SUV to drive, the Lexus NX probably isn't for you. The driving experience is focused on being relaxed and easy-going. The steering is light but doesn't offer much in the way of feedback, so you don't feel a strong connection to the road.

The hybrid powertrain is at its best when you’re driving smoothly. It’s incredibly quiet and refined in town. However, the CVT automatic gearbox can make the engine sound strained and noisy if you accelerate hard. It’s a car that encourages a calm and relaxed driving style, and if that’s what you’re after, it’s a very pleasant companion.

Performance

The NX is only available with one powertrain in the UK, a petrol-electric hybrid badged 300h. It combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a total of 195bhp. This is enough for a respectable 0-60mph time of 9.2 seconds.

It’s not a plug-in hybrid, but a 'self-charging' one where the petrol engine and braking energy top up the small battery. This means it can run on pure electric power for very short distances at low speeds. Entry-level models are front-wheel drive, while higher-spec versions come with all-wheel drive for extra grip and security.

Running costs

Fuel economy & charging

Lexus chose to offer a hybrid powertrain in the NX instead of a diesel engine. While you might expect this to result in amazing fuel economy, it’s not quite as efficient as you might think. The official fuel economy figure is around 48.7mpg, which is good, but no better than what you’d get from a modern diesel engine in a rival SUV.

Where the NX does score highly is with its low CO2 emissions, which makes it an attractive choice for company car drivers thanks to the lower tax bills. It’s worth noting that models with a list price of over £40,000 when new are subject to a higher rate of road tax.

Value for money

The Lexus NX is very competitively priced against its premium rivals, often costing a few thousand pounds less than equivalent models from German brands. It also comes with an incredible amount of standard equipment, even on the entry-level model, which represents fantastic value for money. Lexus models don't hold their value quite as well as their German competitors, but this makes them a great-value used purchase.

Reliability & Warranty

This is the Lexus trump card. The brand has a legendary reputation for building incredibly reliable cars, and it consistently tops owner satisfaction and reliability surveys. The complex hybrid system has been proven to be exceptionally durable. From new, all Lexus models come with a three-year warranty, which can be extended up to 10 years if you have the car serviced at a Lexus dealer.

Safety

Safety features

The Lexus NX is an incredibly safe car. It was awarded the maximum five-star rating when it was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, with very high scores across the board.

A huge plus point is that all models from the 2017 update onwards came with the 'Lexus Safety System+' as standard. This is a comprehensive package of active safety aids that includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. This is kit that many rivals charge extra for.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

The NX is available in a range of trim levels, all of which are very well-equipped.

SE: The entry-level model is far from basic. It comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated and electrically-adjustable front seats, satellite navigation, and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system.

Luxury: Adds features like all-wheel drive and leather upholstery.

F-Sport: This popular trim gives the NX a much sportier and more aggressive look. It comes with a unique mesh grille, different alloy wheels, sports seats, and a sport-tuned suspension.

Premier/Takumi: These top-of-the-range trims are packed with every conceivable feature, including a premium Mark Levinson sound system, a head-up display, and ventilated front seats.

Engines

There is just one engine option available in the UK market.

300h: A self-charging hybrid system that pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. It produces a combined 195bhp and comes with a smooth CVT automatic gearbox. It's available with either front- or all-wheel drive depending on the trim level.

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