2025 Lexus NX assessment | CarExpert

Like its Toyota RAV4 cousin, the newest Lexus NX has loved strong success on the gross sales charts.

The Japanese luxurious SUV has crushed all however the Tesla Mannequin Y within the premium mid-sized SUV section for the previous couple of years, outselling European stalwarts just like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Plenty of that’s seemingly down to 2 issues: pricing and availability of electrification. The NX350h standard hybrid blends the top-selling effectivity advantages of the RAV4 Hybrid with a extra premium and engaging package deal, whereas sharper pricing throughout the vary virtually makes the NX one thing of a center floor between mainstream and luxe.

The NX even affords a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) possibility – type of… it’s been unavailable to order for a bit – which the Audi solely just lately began providing and the Mercedes nonetheless doesn’t provide domestically. BMW’s previous-generation X3 PHEV is way costlier and doesn’t provide as a lot vary because the NX450h+, both.

However right here we now have the oft-forgotten little one of the household, the 2025 Lexus NX350 F Sport AWD. It’s the only variant within the Australian vary providing turbocharged petrol energy, and it’s pitched because the extra driver-focused and athletic possibility.

Not a lot has modified on this grade since I reviewed it a few years in the past, however the section has seen quite a few shifts, so we thought it was price revisiting.

Is Lexus Australia’s top-seller higher as a turbocharged athlete for eager mum and pop drivers? Or are hybrid variations nonetheless the most effective wager?

How does the Lexus NX examine?

View an in depth breakdown of the Lexus NX in opposition to equally sized autos.

Lexus

NX

How a lot does the Lexus NX value?

The NX350 is just out there in F Sport guise with AWD, priced in Australia from $79,343 plus on-road prices. In comparison with after I reviewed the NX350 final in 2022, the bottom worth is up by about $1500.

To see how the Lexus NX traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

What’s the Lexus NX like on the within?

Even two years on from launch, the Lexus NX feels fairly contemporary and upmarket, and there are few apparent hyperlinks to both its predecessor or its cheaper sibling, the Toyota RAV4.

Whereas the outside design is extra of an evolution moderately than the revolution in comparison with its predecessor, it’s fairly onerous to see any genetic hyperlinks to the earlier NX inside.

The overhauled cabin minimises switchgear, ups the prominence of digital shows, and does extra to separate itself from the associated Toyota RAV4.

Lexus merchandise are identified for his or her vault-like construct high quality and high-end cabin supplies. A criticism of the final automobile was that whereas it was solidly screwed collectively, the combination of inside surfaces left a bit to be desired in some locations. Additional, the feel and appear was dated for a while.

This new mannequin actually presents higher, and our tester’s white-on-black inside brings a way of ‘wow’ issue. I’m a fan of the steering wheel design, the clear digital devices, and naturally the look of that massive 14.0-inch central infotainment system.

Evidently a number of the shiny stuff has come on the costly of some inside components, nevertheless. The onerous, scratchy glovebox trim feels low-cost, as do the same supplies used across the switches to the best of the steering wheel. The gloss black elements on the centre console don’t scream ‘luxe’, both.

In all equity, it’s just a little nit-picky to name these items out and homeowners aren’t more likely to care, given these aren’t essentially high-contact surfaces, nevertheless it nonetheless doesn’t actually scream traditional ‘Lexus’ to me.

However the seating place is nice. Lexus F Sport seats are a number of the greatest within the enterprise, with figure-hugging bolsters and supportive cushions, full with a variety of electrical adjustment and reminiscence presets.

A private spotlight of Lexus interiors is the electrically-adjustable steering column, which continues to be one thing of a rarity on this a part of the market. The actual fact it’s linked to the seat reminiscence function can also be helpful, providing a handy entry and exit operate that shifts the seat again and steering wheel ahead to permit simpler ingress and egress.

Storage is fairly good, with a big cubby underneath the front-centre armrest, door bins able to storing standard-sized bottles, two cupholders within the centre console, in addition to a cubby forward of the shifter, with the lid doubling as a wi-fi cellphone charger.

Fortunately, Lexus added wi-fi Apple CarPlay as a operating replace, so the wi-fi cellphone charger is greater than only a shelf once you’re hooked as much as smartphone mirroring.

Total, the software program is an unlimited enchancment from earlier Lexus expertise. The refresh instances and graphics are higher, and distance the premium Lexus model from its Toyota dad or mum.

Decision and response from the 14.0-inch show is great, and there’s smartphone-like pinch to zoom performance and clean animations between menus and features.

Nevertheless, it nonetheless lacks the high-end really feel of rival programs from Audi and BMW, in addition to Mercedes-Benz, because it’s just a little too shut in look to the Toyota system on which it’s based mostly. Nevertheless, the ‘Hey Lexus’ clever voice assistant can carry out celebration methods like adjusting the local weather or opening the sunroof.

An actual spotlight is the optionally available 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system – it’s price ticking the Enhancement Pack 2 field alone for this. Mark Levinson programs are persistently a few of my favourites, with deep and clear {surround} sound.

The second row of seats is much less spectacular than the primary, and highlights the NX’s dimensional shortcomings in opposition to opponents just like the GLC and X3.

At 6’1″, I didn’t have notably snug lodging behind my very own driving place, with restricted knee and legroom. I can solely think about the (lack of) area behind for somebody taller.

Youngsters and smaller adults needs to be effective again right here if the entrance occupants are of common peak, and there are ISOFIX little one seat anchors for the outboard positions in addition to top-tether factors throughout all three rear seats.

Facilities within the again embody a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, directional rear air vents (although no third zone of local weather), USB charging factors and a 12V socket, in addition to map pockets behind each entrance seats. There are additionally bottle holders within the rear doorways.

The boot measures a powerful 520 litres with the rear seats in use, a helpful 20L enhance over its predecessor. Drop the second row and the quoted quantity raises to 1141 litres.

It’s price noting, nevertheless, that the BMW X3 (550L/1600L) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (550L) provide more room, whereas the Audi Q5 is comparable in five-seat kind (520L) however affords extra capability with the rear seats folded (1520L).

As you may see from the photographs above, the load space isn’t utterly flat in two-seat guise both, although there’s no annoying hump between the boot ground and seat backs.

Useful boot extras embody a netted cubby within the facet, underfloor storage, in addition to a 12V energy socket.

To see how the Lexus NX traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

What’s underneath the bonnet?

The NX350 AWD is the only turbo-petrol providing within the lineup.

Our real-world consumption hovered across the 10-11L/100km mark in every day commuting, with a mixture of high-traffic metropolis driving and freeway stints. The NX350h will return half that, for reference.

To see how the Lexus NX traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

How does the Lexus NX drive?

Given the ‘350’ badging and sporty appears of this NX variant, I hoped for a price range heat SUV expertise with the NX350 F Sport. Put properly, these expectations weren’t actually met.

The two.4-litre turbo-petrol engine affords fairly sturdy outputs on paper in comparison with the likes of the Audi Q5 45 TFSI, BMW X3 xDrive30i and Mercedes-Benz GLC300, however the real-world efficiency and soundtrack depart a bit to be desired.

Little has been performed to make the NX350’s powertrain sound or really feel notably sporty, with a buzzy engine observe and robust however not tremendous keen engine response higher suited to relaxed driving and touring. Lexus claims a 7.0-second sprint from 0-100km/h, which feels proper by the seat of the pants, nevertheless it’s slower than the aforementioned Germans.

The eight-speed auto has additionally been tuned extra for effectivity in its normal setting, so rolling response is usually a little laggy in the event you immediately punch the throttle. The drivetrain has a little bit of a boosty really feel and isn’t as linear, nor does it really feel as responsive, as BMW’s wonderful 30i four-cylinder powertrain.

You may flick it into Sport mode for enhanced throttle response and weightier steering, however it is a Lexus on the finish of the day and it’s greatest suited to extra relaxed inputs and straightline cruising.

It’s additionally price noting the NX powertrain is front- moderately than rear-biased like most rivals, that means it generally spins up the entrance tyres underneath onerous acceleration. It has that pull really feel, moderately than the push you get from a rear-driven automobile.

Refinement is normally a Lexus strongpoint, nevertheless it’s missing within the NX. Tyre roar from these massive 20-inch alloys and thin 235/50 Bridgestone Alenza rubber is worse than you’d anticipate of a Lexus SUV, and as famous earlier the petrol engine can get vocal when pushed.

Contemplating the F Sport badge has traditionally been seen on silky clean, brassy sounding petrol V6s, I believed Lexus would have put in additional effort. It’s not all dangerous, although.

The Toyota GA-Okay structure that kinds the inspiration of the Lexus NX is a confirmed platform that underpins well-regarded merchandise like the present RAV4 and Kluger, and the NX350 F Sport’s sporty chassis tune enhance the dynamics additional.

Sharp turn-in and responsive, correct steering makes the NX a cinch to string by means of metropolis streets and winding B-roads, and physique roll is properly minimised once you navigate a sharper bend.

It rides decently, if not with the finesse of its smaller-wheeled platform mates, with a reasonably stiff rebound notably on the rear finish over sharper hits.

I’d recommend protecting the Consolation mode engaged within the metropolis, because the F Sport’s Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) adjustable damping system strikes an excellent stability between consolation and management over pimpled inner-city streets.

Lexus’ driver help programs have obtained excessive reward from ANCAP, and in observe they do an excellent job of serving to the driving force with out utterly taking on, like we’ve seen in earlier Lexus merchandise.

The adaptive cruise and Lane Hint (centring) programs mix properly to supply handy semi-autonomous freeway driving, and aids like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic help and surround-view cameras all have every day driving advantages.

What’s not so nice, not less than for me, are the finnicky controls that function them. Lexus has made the swap to configurable touch-capacitive controls on the steering wheel, that are fiddly on the transfer when utilizing adaptive cruise – and when cruise is lively you’re unable to change by means of views or menus within the instrument cluster.

It’s maybe much less fiddly than the programs you’ll discover within the newest Volkswagens, for instance, however whereas former colleague Mike Costello warmed to the Lexus on the Australian media launch, I wasn’t so fond even after per week of dwelling with the NX.

To see how the Lexus NX traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

What do you get?

There’s loads of normal gear in all Lexus NX variants, as you’d anticipate of a Lexus.

NX250 and NX350h Luxurious gear highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Energy tailgate
• Automated LED headlights with auto-levelling
• Automated high-beam
• 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• 10-speaker sound system
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Heated entrance seats
• Heated door mirrors
• Rear spoiler
• Roof rails
• Keyless entry and begin
• 8-way energy entrance seats incl. 2-way driver lumbar
• Inside ambient lighting
• Rain sensing wipers
• 10-way energy driver seat adjustment
• 8-way energy passenger seat adjustment

Enhancement Pack ($3000) provides:

• Sunroof (tilt and slide)
• Arms-free energy tailgate
• Wi-fi cellphone charger

NX 350 F Sport and NX 350h F Sport add:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Tri-beam LED headlights incl. adaptive high-beam
• Adaptive suspension
• F Sport efficiency dampers
• 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• ‘Excessive-grade’ 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Color head-up show
• Encompass-view digicam
• F Sport pedals, scuff plates, steering wheel and shifter
• F Sport seats
• Energy driver’s seat with reminiscence
• Hadori aluminium trim
• Multi-colour ambient lighting
• Handsfree tailgate
• Ventilated entrance seats
• F Sport leather-based accented seats
• Privateness glass
• 10-way energy driver seat adjustment with reminiscence
• 8-way energy passenger seat adjustment
• Cornering LED lights

Enhancement Pack 1 ($3000) provides:

Enhancement Pack 2 ($6000) provides:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Heated steering wheel
• Digital rear-view mirror
• 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
• Semi-autonomous parking help (NX350h F Sport AWD)

NX350h Sports activities Luxurious provides – over Luxurious:

• 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• ‘Excessive-grade’ 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• Tri-beam LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
• Cornering LED lights
• Color head-up show
• Encompass-view digicam
• Wi-fi cellphone charging
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Mark Levinson 17-speaker sound system
• Sumi black walnut trim
• Leather-based-accented inside trim
• Ventilated entrance seats
• Tri-beam LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
• 12-way energy driver seat adjustment with reminiscence
• 8-way energy passenger seat adjustment

Enhancement Pack 1 ($3000) provides:

Enhancement Pack 2 ($6000) provides:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• 60/40 power-folding rear seats
• Semi-autonomous parking help (NX350h solely)

NX450h+ F Sport provides – over F Sport:

• Single-pane sunroof
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Heated steering wheel

To see how the Lexus NX traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

Is the Lexus NX secure?

The Lexus NX obtained a five-star ANCAP security ranking based mostly on testing performed by Euro NCAP.

Commonplace security gear contains:

• 10 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Daytime bike owner detection
  • Junction help
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Protected exit help
• Lane departure alert
• Lane Tracing Help (lane centring)
• Emergency Steering Help
• Adaptive cruise management
• Visitors signal recognition
• Reversing digicam
• Entrance and rear parking sensors
• Tyre strain monitoring

Each new NX additionally comes with a three-year complimentary subscription to Lexus Linked Companies.

To see how the Lexus NX traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

How a lot does the Lexus NX value to run?

The Lexus NX is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee, just like the broader Lexus vary.

Price noting is that whereas the capped-price servicing program has been prolonged from three to 5 years, the person service prices have elevated from $495 to $595 a pop.

To see how the Lexus NX traces up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability instrument

CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus NX

Whereas it maintains a gorgeous worth deficit in comparison with equal rivals from Germany, the 350 wouldn’t be my decide of the NX lineup – if something, it’s a few rungs down the ladder.

Positive, it affords sturdy worth for cash by way of engine specs and normal gear, however there’s no actual USP or benchmark side to this spec. The hybrids provide a degree of distinction with class-leading effectivity, for instance.

At $80,000 earlier than on-road prices, the NX350 F Sport AWD isn’t far off the likes of the Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro Sport ($88,315) or the upcoming new-gen BMW X3 20 xDrive ($84,500) which, regardless of being down on energy, will arguably be a extra sensible and extra premium-feeling automobile than the Lexus.

Whereas the F Sport appears are horny, my recommendation in the event you’re getting an NX is to go for a 350h in Luxurious trim with the Enhancement Pack – you’ll have all of the equipment you want in addition to wonderful gas economic system, and nonetheless have change in comparison with the automobile you see on take a look at right here.

In any other case, in the event you’re searching for a premium mid-sized SUV for the household with some sporting intent, the brand new X3 will seemingly be a greater wager. Higher nonetheless, in the event you can nonetheless get one, stretch to a runout Porsche Macan (from $95,100).

Thinking about shopping for a Lexus NX? Get in contact with one among CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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