Despite hybrids being so hot right now and compact luxury crossovers being so hot right now, the overlap in the resulting Venn diagram has historically been small enough for but one vehicle: The Lexus NX. For more than a decade, Lexus has planted its flag firmly in the soil, declaring reign over the fuel-sipping corner of the reasonably-sized, reasonably posh, reasonably tall car market. Now it’s going all the way: with a 2027 refresh, the Lexus NX is going hybrid-only. It couldn’t have come at a more important moment.
For the first time in what feels like forever, Lexus isn’t alone in taking electrification in this segment seriously. With new plug-in and non-plug-in rivals either already on the market or hitting showrooms imminently, Toyota’s brand for the Whole Foods set needed to keep up with the Joneses by revamping some of the weaker spots on its second-most-popular model. So, has it worked? I headed not far from the NX’s North American production plant to find out.
[Full disclosure: I drove from Toronto to Elora Mill, Ontario, which is also in Canada, to drive the new NX. Lexus provided accommodations and nourishment for the duration of the event. Fuel to get there was paid for by yours truly, with pleasure.]
The Basics
Engine: 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four.
Battery Pack: 1.1 kWh lithium-ion on hybrid, 22.7 kWh lithium-ion on plug-in hybrid models.
Transmission: Power-splitting planetary gearset.
Drive: Front-wheel-drive, optional through-the-road all-wheel-drive with electric motor on rear axle (standard on plug-in hybrids).
Combined Output: 244 horsepower on hybrid models, 324 horsepower on plug-in hybrid models.
Electric Range (Plug-in Hybrid only): 45 miles (72 km).
Fuel Economy:
- 44 MPG city, 35 MPG highway 40 MPG combined for FWD models.
- 42 MPG city, 34 MPG highway, 38 MPG combined for most AWD hybrid models.
- 41 MPG city, 34 MPG highway, 38 MPG combined for AWD hybrid F-Sport.
- 39 MPG city, 35 MPG highway, 37 MPG combined for most plug-in hybrid models.
- 38 MPG city, 34 MPG highway, 36 MPG combined for F-Sport PHEV.
Base Price: TBA
Why Does It Exist?
It’s safe to say that the Lexus RX invented the luxury crossover, and the NX is its little brother. Now well into its second generation, this is Lexus’ rival to models like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, Genesis GV70, Volvo XC60, and Lincoln Corsair. Yeah, the compact luxury crossover segment is incredibly hot right now, so it should come as no surprise that last year’s NX was Lexus’ second-best-selling model by quite some margin. Big shoes to fill, then.
How Does It Look?
Like the old one, but neater. While the new headlights with their dual horizontal elements are a departure from the L-shaped daytime running lights of old, extending the headlights and grille to meet each other adds much-needed visual width to the front of Lexus’ compact CUV, and the updated face brings in fresh DNA seen throughout the Lexus range. Angular forms under the headlamps are very RZ and ES, while tucking the cornering lamps more discreetly into the grille bezel allows for yet more emphasis on horizontal elements. At the same time, Lexus has shrunk the NX’s grille badge, relieving it of the duty to hide a forward-facing radar sensor. What happened to the sensor? It got slung up underneath the main lattice of grillework, with careful ducting aiming to create a boundary layer of air for increased performance on those really wet days.
Around back, the greatest update to the NX is new rear lighting with a slimmer cross-vehicle band and extra L-shaped elements. Normally, that would be all well and good, but Lexus has then taken the step of illuminating its wordmark in red. Is it tacky? Is it fine? That all depends on what ‘Dior Sauvage’ means to you.
What About The Interior?
Arguably the biggest problem with the outgoing Lexus NX is that there are retail-grade crossovers with nicer interiors. The new Volkswagen Tiguan gets wood and stitched surfaces, the Mazda CX-50 features richer detailing, even the Mitsubishi Outlander is on the level with Lexus’ compilation of now-rental-grade materials. Presumably because there was no easy way of fixing this, Lexus has thrown the entire dashboard in the bin for something that looks like it came from the new ES. Or from a new Kia. That sounds damning, but it really is an improvement. Real buttons under a rubberized fascia, satin detailing on the console, and slivers of organic trim mean there’s no shiny black plastic anywhere. Thank you, Lexus.
At the same time, there’s now coordinated stitched textile on the face of the instrument panel, a new digital cluster with richer black levels and simplified controls, metallic trim on the upper door cards that eliminates the excessively thick bezels seen on the outgoing model, and a smaller-diameter steering wheel wrapped in nicer leather. The overall design might be a bit generic, but the materials in the new NX are finally where they need to be.
Further back in the cabin, things aren’t all perfect though. While a range of new seats permit a slightly lower driving position, all trims are light on thigh support and lack adjustable thigh bolstering. Two-way lumbar support is a bit behind-the-times in a segment where just about all rivals offer four-way adjustable lumbar support, and front headroom of 37.1 inches with the panoramic roof is a little on the tight side for drivers with longer torsos. Rear legroom’s also on the stingy side for the segment, measuring in at 36 inches. On the other hand, 22.7 cu.-ft. of cargo volume is a strong showing, making the NX one of the more generous compact luxury crossovers for weekend getaways.
How Does It Drive?
Numbers don’t tell the whole story in the updated Lexus NX. On paper, the regular hybrid only gains four combined peak horsepower over last year’s equivalent model, but that doesn’t paint an accurate picture of what this sixth-generation hybrid powertrain brings to the table. Thanks to new high-voltage drive components, the updated NX hybrid brings more electric motor assistance into the mix than its predecessor, resulting in stronger, smoother, quieter acceleration around town. No longer shall the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine feel strained in routine driving, and additional sound deadening means Lexus’ compact luxury crossover no longer serves up the soundtrack of a Cuisinart tasked with pureeing a bag of marbles. The new hybrid powertrain’s such a remarkable step up in refinement that the discontinuation of a gasoline-only option makes perfect sense. As a bonus, the brake pedal blend between electric motor regenerative braking and hydraulic braking is calibrated so well, most drivers won’t notice which is which.
As for the plug-in hybrid model, it now boasts an electric range of 45 miles, eight more than before. It’s the sort of improvement that makes a meaningful difference when running errands, and an extra 20 combined horsepower certainly doesn’t hurt either. Lexus has managed to package a larger 22.7 kWh battery pack into the NX 450h+ without stealing any extra passenger space, although charging is a bit of a mixed bag. While a native Tesla-style port is appreciated, Lexus’ decision to move the charging port from the rear quarter panel to the left front fender makes street-side charging less accessible. If you don’t have a driveway or a pull-in parking spot with a charger, it’s best to stick with the regular NX 350h hybrid, as it’s more than efficient enough to fit your needs.
However, the biggest advancement underneath the updated Lexus NX isn’t its new powertrain tech; it’s what’s been done to the chassis. During the development process, the marque shipped prototypes of its compact crossover to the Nürburgring Nordschleife, 12.944 miles of the fiercest bumpy, twisty asphalt in the Northern Hemisphere. It might be a racetrack, but it’s the sort of racetrack that can shake an overly stiff car to pieces. Sure, this development process has brought in some handling updates: Variable-ratio steering racks on all models and revised stability control. But it’s the advancements in ride comfort that are most notable.
To start, Lexus beefed up the structure of the NX with a litany of floor reinforcements and new strut towers. Physical additions that yield a more solid structure with less vibration transmitted to occupants. For the cherry on top, non-F-Sport trims get new shock absorbers with ultra-low-speed valves that work an absolute treat for ride quality. Jitters over cracks in the road are markedly reduced, while retuned high-speed damping prevents excess jounce and floatiness over big bumps. Better control and comfort pair nicely with light steering that offers an incredibly positive sense of straight-ahead, and when you consider how hybrid models get between 34 and 35 MPG on the highway, the revised NX ought to be a road-tripper’s delight.
Does It Have The Electronic Crap I Want?
Oh, absolutely. The first thing you need to know is that Lexus wants you to smell. Luxury and F-Sport trims get a built-in perfume system as part of what the brand calls “Sensory Concierge.” It can waft one of three scents through a dedicated dashboard-mounted diffuser, either all the time or in partnership with three sets of soundtracks, ambient lighting programs, and moonroof shade settings. General intensity is adjustable, just another way of keeping up with the Germans. Otherwise, the new bank of real climate control buttons under a rubberized fascia means most of the new infotainment screen is actually used for infotainment. Top-level virtual climate control tiles are slim but reasonably comprehensive, unlike the bulky setup in the old NX.
Beyond that, the list of available toys is as lengthy as you’d expect from a modern luxury car. New-generation driver assistance systems that virtually eliminated false alerts on my drive loops, heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, a built-in dashcam, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, just about everything short of soft-close doors. Oh, and good news if you’re buying one in America and wear polarized sunglasses, as that market’s ditching the contextual steering wheel controls for normal ones across all trim levels.
As for audio, it’s worth popping for the optional Mark Levinson sound system because it’s a marked step up from the base stereo. Low-end extension isn’t great, but distortion’s extremely low, clarity’s plenty good, the sound stage is competitive, and little tweaks to the multi-band equalizer go a long way. Also, those cool alloy door speaker grilles look the business.
Three Things To Know About The 2027 Lexus NX
- What looks like a touch bar across the dash is actually a bank of real buttons under a rubbery veneer.
- The ride quality’s noticeably improved.
- The plug-in hybrid’s charge port has been relocated to the left front fender, which isn’t ideal for those keen on street-side charging.
Does The 2027 Lexus NX Fulfil Its Purpose?
Absolutely. It’s a smoother, quieter, noticeably more refined evolution of the small Japanese luxury crossover people love. The ES-inspired interior is an enormous step up from the whiffs of cheapness present in the outgoing model, and standard hybrid power’s arriving just in time for a fuel crunch. The trouble is, Lexus won’t be the only game in town for long. On the plug-in hybrid side of things, Volvo just pack-a-punched its XC60 PHEV crossover with 78 miles of all-electric range. That’s 33 more miles than Lexus claims the revised NX 450h+ can go, and the outgoing XC60 plug-in hybrid was brilliant. Its Bowers & Wilkins audio system is still the gold standard for the segment, its seats are markedly better than the NX’s, it exudes an air of solidity, and it’s as stylish as a tailored suit. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz offers the GLC 350e plug-in hybrid with 54 miles of electric range, and it’s priced within $5,000 of where the old NX 450h+ started.
Then there are the regular hybrids. The 2027 Lincoln Corsair is now only available as a regular hybrid, trading a few miles-per-gallon (30 MPG combined vs 34 for the all-wheel-drive NX 350) for 305 horsepower, seriously advanced seats, hands-free highway driving assistance, and the added traction of mechanical all-wheel-drive. If you’re looking on a longer timeline, Genesis has revealed a hybrid powertrain for its M3-platform vehicles that will almost certainly make it to the GV70 at some point in time.
The 2027 Lexus NX represents a significant improvement over earlier models, but it’s also about to face stiffer competition than ever. It’s still the default choice for a posh hybrid compact crossover and the one to buy if a non-plug-in model with excellent fuel economy is the goal, but there’s opportunity here for other automakers to steal sales on the plug-in side. The thing is, plug-in hybrids aren’t for everyone, and the Lexus dealership service experience almost sells itself. As long as pricing stays within the ballpark of the old one, don’t be surprised if Lexus continues to shift seventy-something-thousand NXs a year.
What’s The Punctum Of The 2027 Lexus NX?
One unit of compact luxury crossover, please. Hold the thirst.
Top graphic image: Thomas Hundal
I haven’t paid the NX much attention. The “compact luxury crossover” market is of no interest to me, so this has just been “the RX’s little brother” in my mind.
But I was confused about the comparison with the XC60, which I thought was supposed to be RX sized. It’s a lot wider than the NX, but closer it length than it is to an RX. Which I guess means the XC60 is still tighter on leg room than you’d think, which was the case when I was in one from 2 generations back.
I’d rather have a Crown Signia. More interesting car (wagon?), more car for less money. Prettier.
The Signia is a great looking wagon. I wish it was cheaper….
Just get the RAV4. All the power, nearly all of the luxury content, less of the price.
Only 45 miles of EV range? Specs elsewhere claim up to 55 miles, did you leave the oven on?
Colin Chapman did not say “Uglify and add complexity.”
Lexus did it for him.
Those rubberized buttons are gonna get sticky, melty, or worn off after a few years.