2024 Lexus NX 350h Luxury AWD: The Luxury Brand’s Compact Hybrid Crossover

Highlight: The NX is now available as a plug-in.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $57,230 (Base Model NX 250: $44,615)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; a lane departure warning system; a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert with steering assist; a lane trace assist system; automatic high beams; an electronic blind spot monitor with a rear cross traffic alert; a rear camera; a vehicle stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and race inspired paddle shifters

Standard Equipment NX hybrid: 18-inch wheels; AWD; pseudo leather; a dual automatic climate control system; power driver’s seat with lumbar support; heated front seats; driver’s seat with memory; a 9-inch infotainment screen; and a variety of driving modes

Standard Equipment NX 350h Luxury: perforated leather seats; a leather trimmed steering wheel; a 14-inch infotainment screen; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; memory driver’s seating; heated/ventilated front seats; a digital rearview mirror; tonneau cover; power folding exterior mirrors; power moonroof; a power rear hatch with a kick sensor; roof rails; cloud based navigation system; a heads up display; rain sensing wiper system; black open pore wood trim; and a parking assist feature

Options: triple beam headlamps and washers; 20-inch alloy wheels; panoramic monitor; lane changing assist; front crash traffic alert; advanced parking; a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system; power folding heated rear seats; a digital rearview mirror; a wireless phone charger; a digital key; and a dashcam

Other Trim Levels:

NX 250 - gasoline

NX 350 - gasoline

NX 450h – plug-in hybrid

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 10-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD/CD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 70,000 miles

Hybrid Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles

Standard Hybrid Engine/Horsepower: 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine/189-horsepower

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 41-city/37-hwy

Maximum Towing Capacity: 2,000 lbs

What’s New:  For the 2024 model year, the NX hybrid is essentially a carryover model.

Why: 

A stylish design

Due to size, easy to navigate

A variety of hybrid trims

A 566-mile driving range, according to fueleconomy.gov

The NX offers more alternative fuel options than others in its segment: gasoline, hybrid and plug-in

Heated second row seats available

Heated leather steering wheel available

A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system

An available towing package to enhance towing up to 2,000 lbs

Ability to use a smartphone to lock and unlock doors

20-inch wheels

Perpendicular and parallel parking assistance feature

A panoramic roof available

A high level of safety driving aids

But: 

Pricing of the higher end NX hybrids overlaps with the larger RX hybrid

Only available in an AWD configuration

Premium fuel required

Limited rear seats/legroom

Voice assistant doesn’t always recognize the driver’s voice to operate infotainment system

Wireless charging only available on select trims

Verdict:  Lexus restyled second-generation NX made its debuts in 2022. Its currently available as a gasoline, hybrid and an all-new plug-in model. The expansive powertrain makes it the only vehicle in this segment to offer such. And being that the NX shares a platform with Toyota’s popular RAV4, this makes sense.

The NX hybrid model we tested is essentially a carryover model for the 2024 model year. The hyper mileage compact luxury crossover can ink out an eye-popping 566-miles on a tank of gas. That type of mileage makes it the best in the premium luxury segment.

Furthermore, the NX, which is slotted between the UX and RX, can be outfitted with a host of features, ranging from a memory operated driver’s seat to a digital key to lock and unlock doors to an automatic parking assist system.

The NX hybrid is a great alternative for those seeking to balance luxury, while inching out literally every mile they can, when behind the wheel. However, before making a move and with some pricing overlap with the larger RX hybrid, decide which one is the better alternative before pulling the trigger.

Non Hybrid Competition: Acura RDX; Audi Q3; BMW X1; BMW 2 Series; Cadillac XT4; Jaguar F-Pace; Land Rover Discovery Sport; Lincoln Corsair; Mercedes-Benz GLC; and Volvo XC40