Shopping for a Lexus NX requires some serious investigation
Roseville, Calif.- Like many auto manufacturers, Lexus rarely gets criticized when it comes to offering a multitude of small SUVs, a class that’s grown enormously in popularity.
We’ve driven many of those SUVs in the past decade, including a week with the 2024 Lexus NX 350h. The NX brand is a compact luxury crossover SUV that’s smaller than the midsize RX, but larger than the subcompact UX.
The UX has a gas-powered model and offers a hybrid version. That’s nothing compared to the NX offerings. It has six configurations – NX 250, NX 350, NX 350 F Sport (all gas-powered), one hybrid model (NX 350h), and two plug-in hybrids in the NX 450h and 450h F Sport.
The NX class caught on immediately, with sales of 43,764 in its debut year of 2015. That’s the lowest sales figure for the NX, which reached a high of 74,526 last year.
Obviously, shopping for a Lexus NX requires some serious investigation. Lexus naturally offers the NX at various price points, something most car shoppers are always keeping in mind. Making that final decision can be difficult. Is a gas-powered NX the preference, maybe a hybrid is the choice, or is a plug-in hybrid the most appealing?
The merits
This review will exclusively discuss the merits of the 2024 Lexus NX 350h. The five passenger, compact luxury SUV was all-new for 2022. It’s a comfortable, fuel-efficient, has an appealing exterior, and is loaded with solid technology. The downsize when compared to some of the competition is the NX is rated mediocre in performance and cargo capacity.
The NX 350h is a conventional hybrid that pairs electric motors with a gas engine and comes with standard all-wheel drive. It features three electric motors that mix with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder to generate 240 horsepower and 167 pound-feet of torque. Lexus claims it goes 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds. Maximum towing capacity is 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy is a plus at 37-41 mpg.
We found the NX 350h easy to maneuver in all driving situations and no problem when parking in tight spaces. The ride is smooth, comfortable and quiet at even high speeds. While the handling is not as sporty as some drivers might like, it does just fine around tight turns and challenging roads.
The NX 350h gets high marks for safety, offering standard features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, vehicle exit warning, and automatic high beams.
AT A GLANCE -2024 LEXUS NX 350H
- Performance: three electric motors, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, 240 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 37-41 mpg
- Price estimate: $43,500 to $49,700
- Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; drivetrain: 6 years/70,000 miles; roadside assistance: 4 years/unlimited; corrosion: 6 years/unlimited; battery: 10 years, 150,000 miles
Inside the NX 350H
The 350h shares multiple characteristics with the 450h, including much of the interior makeup. The cabin is attractive and well thought out, making it convenient for the driver and the four other passengers. It has lots of soft-touch materials and there’s also leather seating and wood trim.
The seating is extremely cozy for front passengers and the back seat is roomy for a small SUV. The cargo area is lacking a bit – 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats that expands to 46.9 cubes with the seats folded down.
The NX 450h comes standard with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen (14-inch touchscreen is optional). It also comes standard with an extremely helpful virtual voice assistant, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, 10-speaker stereo, Wi-Fi hot spot, navigation, and satellite radio.
The 2024 Lexus NX 350h has much to offer, including an attractive exterior, terrific fuel economy, smart interior makeup, and strong technology.
