Lexus NX Review 2024
The Lexus NX is a compact luxury SUV that’s attempting to conquer the German-dominated luxury SUV market. With an eye-catching design, good interior quality, and a decent drive, the NX is a family SUV that ticks a lot of boxes.
Rivals to the Lexus NX include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Volvo XC60.
Our Lexus NX review covers:
- Unique exterior design with a bold front grille
- Luxurious interior with plenty of high-quality materials
- 545 litres of boot space
- Available as a plug-in or self-charging hybrid
- Three trim levels
Pros:
- Comfortable to drive around town
- Eye catching exterior design
- Good choice of hybrid powertrains
Cons:
- Engines loud when accelerating
- Top range spec is pricey
- Rivals offer better technology
If you’re looking for a unique SUV to impress the family, look no further than the NX. Now in its second generation, it comes with a bold front grille with eye-like LED headlights, and as you move to the rear there’s neat creases on the side. At the rear, there’s a light bar across the boot and creases that give it a muscular look.
Inside the NX, there’s plenty of room for a small family. Two adults can fit in the front with ease and a pair of teenagers will have no complaints about rear space. However, add a third rear passenger and space does get tight, unlike in the Mercedes-Benz GLC or Volvo XC60.
Open the electrically operated boot and you’ll get 545 litres of boot space, which can be extended with the rear seats folding in a 60/40 arrangement. You’ll also get underfloor storage which is perfect for your charging cables on the plug-in hybrid version.
Labelled as a luxury SUV, it’s no surprise that the interior of the NX is a nice place to be. There’s a range of upmarket materials such as soft-touch plastics and leather, and the red trim looks really good.
In the middle of the dashboard you get a 9.8-inch infotainment system as standard, but opt for the Premium Pack trim and above and there’s an optional 14-inch screen. We’d recommend going for the larger screen as it's quicker, displays sharp graphics, and adds that bit more to the driving experience.
Three trims are available: NX Grade, F Sport, and Takumi.
NX Grade comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a 9.8-inch touchscreen display, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 10-speaker audio system.
F-Sport has 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension with five driving modes, and an F Sport interior design pack.
Takumi has a 17-speaker premium surround sound system, a digital rear mirror, automated parking, a black wood inlay, 4-way lumbar support, and a panoramic sunroof.
It’s worth noting that optional packs are available for the NX. On the entry-level trim you can add the Premium Pack or Premium Plus Pack, where you’ll find the larger infotainment system and more advanced features such as heated seats.
On the F Sport trim, there’s an optional Takumi Pack that offers a 17-speaker surround sound system, a digital rear mirror, and a panoramic roof.
The Lexus NX estate is available as a full hybrid or a plug-in hybrid. All versions feature a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the self-charging hybrid is available with front or all-wheel drive while the plug-in comes exclusively with all-wheel drive.
The self-charging hybrid, labelled the 350h, is the least powerful coming in at 244hp (242hp for the all-wheel drive version). Performance is still decent though, with the front-wheel drive version reaching 62mph in 8.7 seconds and the all-wheel drive version doing it in 7.7 seconds. For both, you’ll get a fuel economy around the 50mpg mark.
Our pick of the bunch is the plug-in hybrid. Labelled the 450h+, it adds two electric motors to deliver 302hp and can shoot from 0 to 62mph in just 6.3 seconds. It can also travel up to 40 miles on pure electric power and boosts fuel economy to around 300mpg.
In terms of charging, the plug-in hybrid can fully charge using a 7kW wall box in under three hours.
The NX is a comfortable car to drive around town and on the motorway, but it's certainly built more for comfort than speed. Around town, you won’t have too many qualms concerning the NX. Its compact dimensions make navigating streets pretty straightforward and the ride is smooth and deals with potholes very well.
As you put your foot on the throttle, engine noise does increase, but once at 70mph you can cruise along in near silence. The plug-in hybrid certainly gives that extra boost on the slip road, but the self-charging hybrid is a more than capable cruiser.
On a twisty road, the NX is nothing to write home about. The steering is responsive and there’s a fair amount of road grip, but it's more focused on safety than a bit of fun. Which is obviously no bad thing for a family SUV. If you’re after a more engaging drive, go for the BMW X3 or Jaguar F-Pace.
Prices for the new Lexus NX start from £43,354.00 OTR* or to lease from £399.61 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Lexus NX? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
