The Lexus NX is the first mid-size SUV from Toyota’s premium sub-brand. You could say it was a long time coming, since Lexus was early to the large luxury SUV party: its larger RX was launched way back in 1998.
When it did arrive, the Lexus NX certainly looked the part thanks to its angular lines and striking ‘spindle’ grille. Edgy exterior design aside, what set the NX apart from its rivals was the choice of powertrains. In fact, the NX was ahead of its time because where many similar cars of the time were sold as diesels, most NX models have petrol/electric hybrid power. A turbocharged pure petrol model was added, although it didn’t prove popular and wasn’t on sale for long.
Thanks to its forward-looking design and engine lineup, the first NX has aged well and it’s perhaps not surprising that the second-generation model, introduced in 2021, looks like it could simply be an updated version of the first car. In fact, it’s all-new and gains more high-tech features, an updated hybrid system and, for the first-time, a plug-in hybrid variant. There’s no pure-electric NX, with the smaller UX and larger RZ currently the only Lexus electric vehicles sold in the UK.
Every NX has an automatic gearbox, and you’ll find front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions of both the first-generation and second-generation models. While the earliest entry-level versions of the first car weren’t quite as lavishly equipped as you might expect from a Lexus, most came with lots of standard features, and the second-gen car is better equipped.
Here we take a look at the history of the Lexus NX over the two model generations, covering which models are available, how it’s evolved over time and what to look out for if you’re in the market for one.
Lexus NX Generations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Lexus NX Pros and Cons
- Lexus NX mk2 (2021-present)
- Lexus NX mk1 (2014-2021)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lexus NX years are the best?
It’s hard to fault the Lexus NX’s reliability record over the past decade, so there aren’t any ‘best’ years for reliability as such. The post-2021 model is better-equipped and better to drive than the first-generation car, but it will cost you more to buy.
Which Lexus NX years are the worst?
As we've mentioned, every year is a good year for Lexus NX reliability, so there are no ‘worst’ years to avoid. Look hard, and you’ll find that most complaints from owner surveys relate to minor issues such as infotainment system glitches.
Is a used Lexus NX a good deal?
As with most Lexus models, the NX doesn’t have the driving appeal or wide choice of engines you get with some rival cars, but it’s a good deal if you’re looking for a mid-size SUV that offers hybrid power and a luxury interior, and which is likely to be extremely reliable.
Lexus NX Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent reliability record
- Low-emissions hybrid models
- Sharp exterior design
Cons:
- Not as comfortable or sporty as some rivals
- Fiddly dashboard design on first-generation cars
- Limited choice of models
Lexus NX mk2 (2021-present)
Body Styles:
- Five-door SUV
It was certainly a case of ‘business as usual’ for the second-generation Lexus NX that was introduced in the 2021 model year. Its exterior design is so similar to the first-generation model’s that you could easily assume it was just a facelifted version. In fact, Lexus says that 95% of the car is brand-new. It’s a few millimeters larger in each direction, keeping pace with the increase in size of the latest versions of key rivals such as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. Inside, there’s a simpler look than the first car, and a much larger touchscreen display.
An all-hybrid powertrain lineup starts with the NX 350h, an evolution of the first-generation NX 300h that combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with either one (for front-wheel-drive models) or two (for four-wheel-drive models) electric motors, for a total power output of 239-241bhp. The big news, though, is the addition of a new plug-in hybrid model named NX 450h+. It’s Lexus’ first plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), with the same basic specs as the NX 350h but with a larger, rechargeable battery for a total output of 302bhp, four-wheel drive and a pure-electric range of up to 40 miles when fully charged. All versions have a seven-speed e-CVT transmission. The official fuel economy figures are high-40s mpg for the NX 350h models, and 300mpg+ for NX 450h+ models. As with any plug-in hybrid, however, what you get in real-world driving will depend on your driving and charging habits.
The core trim lineup is simple, with just base (NX), F Sport and Takumi models, but the base trim could be specced with a Premium Pack or Premium Plus pack, including bundled-up option al extras, while a Takumi pack was available for F Sport versions. Standard features for the base trim are fairly comprehensive and include 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, a powered tailgate, LED headlights with an automatic high beam function, and Lexus Safety System+, which is a package of advanced driver assistance systems that includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, along with adaptive cruise control. You also get a 9.8-inch infotainment screen with sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. F Sport adds sporty cosmetic upgrades, a head-up display and adaptive variable suspension, while Takumi adds extra luxury features such as a Mark Levinson audio system, panoramic roof and more. An update in August 2024 boosted standard equipment levels and introduced a new trim lineup consisting of Urban, Premium, Premium Plus, F Sport, F Sport Takumi and Takumi models.
While it’s not the most exciting new car in its class to drive, or the most practical, the latest Lexus NX is one of the best mid-size premium SUVs around, offering excellent comfort and quality. Few rival cars are likely to be as reliable, either, given the track record of both the Lexus brand and the NX itself over recent years. And if that were'n’t peace-of-mind enough, there’s also Lexus’ excellent warranty, which if you have your car serviced annually at a main dealer, could last up to ten year or 100,000 miles.
Lexus NX mk1 (2014-2021)
Body Styles:
- Five-door SUV
Lexus waited more than a decade after launching its first SUV – the RX – before adding a second in the shape of the Mk1 Lexus NX in 2014. Given the success of the RX, you might think that the NX is simply a scaled-down version of its big brother, but although the two cars share similar attributes and tech, they have quite distinct characters. The NX is aimed at a younger, less traditional buyer, as evidenced by its more edgy exterior design: Lexus says it was influenced by ‘urban sports gear’. In terms of size, the NX is a close match for the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC of the time, although it's a shade narrower than all three.
The model lineup is notably slimmer than those of its three key German rivals. Initially, just one version was available: the NX 300h. It’s a conventional (or self-charging) hybrid, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with either one electric motor (for front-wheel-drive versions) or two (in all-wheel-drive versions, or AWD). A CVT automatic transmission is standard. Power, torque and acceleration figures for both versions are identical, but four-wheel drive models are about 2mpg less fuel-efficient.
A few months after the NX first went on sale, Lexus added a new model to the lineup: the NX 200t. This range-topping model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol with 235bhp, with a six-speed conventional automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive as standard. It was only sold in sporty F-Sport trim, and was a lot quicker than the hybrid model, with a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds representing an improvement of 2.1 seconds. The downside is inferior fuel economy, with an official average of mid-30s mpg compared with the mid-50s mpg of hybrid models.
Trim levels ranged through S, SE, Luxury, F Sport and Premier. Entry-level S cars have the basics, including a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, eight airbags and a touchscreen infotainment system. Extras for SE include heated front seats and larger alloy wheels, while Luxury trim adds cornering headlights, front- and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats and more. F Sport trim includes a range of cosmetic tweaks such as a bespoke front bumper and grille, along with sports suspension and full-LED headlights. Premier trim also features LED headlights, as well as electric steering column adjustment, a heated steering wheel, sat nav and a Mark Levinson premium audio system. In 2016, Sport trim was added to the range, adding a range of cosmetic and tech upgrades and slotting in just above SE trim in the pecking order.
The NX 200t didn’t sell well and was dropped in 2017, shortly before a mid-life update that included minor cosmetic changes inside and out, a larger infotainment screen and tech and safety equipment upgrades. Later in the model run, four-wheel drive was made standard for all models and the trim levels were streamlined to just entry-level trim, F Sport and Takumi. Later still, an entry-level front-wheel-drive model was reintroduced to the range.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Lexus isn’t its styling, or the way it drives, but its exceptional reliability record. In independent customer satisfaction surveys, Lexus consistently ranks among the top brands for reliability, and the NX itself scores highly compared with rival cars. Mechanical issues seem few and far between, with most customer complaints relating to minor electrical or interior issues.