The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Rakish styling
- Pretty cabin
- Good tech
- Strong turbo-4
- Efficient hybrids
Dislikes
- Potentially polarizing design
- Even F Sport lacks sportiness
- Disconnected feeling in hybrids
- Snug cabin
Buying tip
features & specs
The 2024 Lexus NX is a distinctive small crossover with the appeal of either turbo punch or fuel-sipping hybrid tech.
What kind of vehicle is the 2024 Lexus NX? What does it compare to?
The NX is a five-passenger compact crossover offered as a clever hybrid. Rivals include the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, Volvo XC40, and BMW X3.
Is the 2024 Lexus NX a good SUV?
Offered with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the 2024 Lexus NX delivers a comfortable cabin with plenty of tech for a reasonable price. It earns a TCC Rating of 6.3 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2024 Lexus NX?
Some of the interior color options have been updated, but other than that, the NX carries over unchanged.This small crossover SUV features an angular, rakish profile punctuated by a nearly vertical grille with narrow LED headlight strips and extensive detailing along the sides. The rear gets a wide bar of lighting for a futuristic look. The NX is a stylish choice that stands out among its peers.
The NX 250 base version comes with a 203-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 that favors frugality over thrills.
The NX 350 upgrades to a 2.4-liter turbo-4 that produces a more engaging 275 hp and adds all-wheel drive. Both gas engines pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission. With impressive ratings of 39 mpg combined, the NX 350h hybrid scoots by gas stations, and its 238 hp provides decent power. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid tops the lineup and has an upsized battery pack capable of 37 miles of electric-only driving before the gas engine kicks in.The F Sport package is available for most of the lineup, and it adds adaptive dampers that help offset the package’s 20-inch wheels. Overall, the NX is composed, though not particularly sporty.
Inside, the NX is refined, with upscale design and plenty of insulation, though the back seat and cargo space are both snug.Lexus includes plenty of crash-avoidance features, including adaptive cruise control, which is unusual for the class. It’s a Top Safety Pick on the IIHS scale.
How much does the 2024 Lexus NX cost?
The entry-level NX 250 runs $40,205 to start. All-wheel drive increases the base model’s price to $41,805, while the turbo NX 350 runs $43,965 with included all-wheel drive. The cheapest hybrid, the NX 350h, runs slightly less at $43,805, though the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid leaps to $58,655.All versions feature synthetic leather, a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 18-inch alloy wheels at minimum. Lexus offers up tons of upgrades, such as a big sunroof, a 14.0-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson premium audio, a head-up display, and cooled front seats.
Where is the 2024 Lexus NX made?
In Canada.
2024 Lexus NX Styling
The 2024 Lexus NX shakes up styling conventions.
Is the Lexus NX a good-looking car?
Good-looking, perhaps, but interesting, for sure. A complex headlight design and big air intakes flank the tall grille, and though the side profile itself seems simple, there’s a lot of detail in its angles and lines. The optional F Sport package adds 20-inch wheels that unfortunately lose their subtlety under their black paint, and some other exclusive trim bits.
The cabin’s focal point is a 9.8-inch touchscreen that should be easy for most drivers to reach. Molded plastics make up most surfaces, but in appealing bright hues. We give a point above average for interior and exterior style, adding up to a 7 out of 10 here.
2024 Lexus NX Performance
The 2024 Lexus NX’s sporty looks are deceiving.
Despite racy looks, the 2024 Lexus NX has relaxed road manners that earn a point above average. That’s a 6 here.
Is the Lexus NX 4WD?
Only the entry-level NX 250 comes with front-wheel drive, and most are all-wheel drive. Hybrid models put an electric motor on the rear axle, upgrading traction without the hit to fuel economy.
How fast is the Lexus NX?
It’s not, particularly in base NX 250 configuration with the 203-hp 2.5-liter inline-4 engine. It’s an 8.2-second jog to 60 mph, and all-wheel drive adds almost half a second. The turbo and hybrid models are better. The NX 350 makes 275 hp from its 2.4-liter turbo-4, which makes for much more confident passing. It uses the same smooth 8-speed automatic transmission as the NX 250. The NX 350h builds on the entry-level 4-cylinder engine with a battery pack and electric motor that add up to a total of 239 hp, and a CVT that’s dull but efficient. The expensive but peppy NX 450h+ tops the range with a 302-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of 37 miles of electric range. It’s shared with the Toyota RAV4 Prime.
All NX models suffer from noticeable body lean and numb steering, though the ride is comfortable and plush, even with 20-inch F Sport wheels. F Sport models add underbody bracing and adaptive dampers for more smoothness and comfort.
2024 Lexus NX Comfort & Quality
The 2024 Lexus NX is comfortable, as long as you’re in the front seats.
Lexus fits its second-smallest crossover with a modern, stylish interior. It earns a 7 due to decent cargo capacity and comfortable front seats.
Driver and front passenger get power adjustment and plenty of support, while the rear row is a tight squeeze for long legs. Three adults won’t fit across the rear bench.The NX provides reasonable cargo capacity of 22.6 cubic feet behind the back row, which expands to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. It’s bigger than a sedan, though below average for a crossover in this class. On the upside, hybrid models’ batteries don’t compromise cargo space.
Soft-touch materials are found throughout, even if most surfaces are plastic, and the synthetic leather upholstery feels almost as nice as genuine leather.
2024 Lexus NX Safety
The Lexus NX is solid and well-equipped.
How safe is the Lexus NX?
It’s safe overall, with features like automatic emergency braking, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. That list of standard tech and the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating are both good for a point above average. We’ll update this space if the NHTSA publishes test scores for the NX. Blind-spot monitors, a surround-view camera system, and parking assist tech are optional.
2024 Lexus NX Features
The 2024 Lexus NX offers plenty of standard fare.
Lexus offers the NX across a range of price points, all reasonably well-equipped.All NX models include at a minimum synthetic leather seating surfaces, a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 18-inch alloys, and a 10-speaker stereo. That’s decent for $40,205, or $41,805 with all-wheel drive. The NX features a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, which is typical coverage for a luxury brand. That standard fare, the available options, and the large standard touchscreen add up to a score of 8 here.
Which Lexus NX should I buy?
We’d skip the base trim and get either the NX 350 at $43,965 or the NX 350h at $43,805 with standard AWD.For our money, we’d also add the $3,050 Premium package to either NX 350. It brings cooled and heated front seats, a sunroof, a hands-free power tailgate, and automatic parking. The 14.0-inch touchscreen is about another $1,200, and though it looks great, it integrates some climate controls, where we prefer buttons. You can splurge on the head-up display and premium Mark Levinson audio and still stay under $50,000.The big infotainment setup features convenient voice recognition to access a cloud-based virtual assistant. The layout has gotten busy with options, so it’s best to set your preferences and let it be.
How much is a fully loaded Lexus NX?
A lot. The NX 450h+ Luxury starts at $58,655, or $59,905 with F Sport package. It’s equipped like a loaded version of the 350h model, though, which may soften the hit somewhat. We’d still upgrade to the available 6.6-kw onboard charger for faster charging times. Fully loaded, the 2024 NX 450h+ can hit nearly $64,000.
2024 Lexus NX Fuel Economy
The 2024 Lexus NX shines as a hybrid.
Is the Lexus NX good on gas?
If you’ve selected the right engine. The volume NX 350 model is estimated for a mediocre 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. That’s good for a 3 on our scale.The base NX 250 is thriftier, up to 26/33/28 mpg in front-wheel drive configuration or 25/32/28 mpg for all-wheel drive models. They’re not quick, but these models can be run on regular unleaded fuel, while other NX powertrains require premium.
If fuel savings are a priority, though, look to the hybrid models. The NX 350h comes in at 41/37/39 mpg, and though the NX 450h+ is expensive, it’s rated for a 37-mile range on a full charge, and 36 mpg combined in gas hybrid model. Upgrade to the 6.6-kw charger and the NX can top up in approximately two-and-a-half hours with a Level 2 charger.