2021 Lexus NX 300
| MSRP | $42,195 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $38,896 |
What Should I Pay
27 for sale near you
2021 Lexus NX 300 Review
- Cabin is very quiet at highway speeds
- Supremely comfortable ride and seats
- Lots of standard high-tech safety features
- Remote Touchpad interface is frustrating to use
- Limited cargo volume
- Not much fun to drive
- A blind-spot monitor and auto-dimming exterior mirrors are now standard
- Part of the first NX generation, originally introduced for 2015 as the NX 200t
Comfortable, quiet and packed with all sorts of standard safety features, the 2021 Lexus NX 300 has lots of appeal right out of the gate. Though it's a compact luxury SUV, the NX 300 has enough room for adults, yet it's small enough to easily maneuver around town. On the highway, the NX 300 makes a great road-trip vehicle thanks to its hushed cabin and supple suspension. And even at the base trim level, the NX comes with safety features such as forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert.
Unfortunately, even with all its virtues, the NX 300 has a lot working against it. Cargo space is limited behind the rear seats, negating some of its long-haul readiness. Inside, we like the serenity the NX offers, but Lexus' touchpad user interface is one of the most difficult to use in any car on the road today. What's more, the driving experience isn't as engaging as we'd hope, even in an NX with the optional F Sport equipment. There's a lot to like about this little Lexus, but up against segment leaders from Mercedes and BMW, it's harder to recommend.
Our verdict | |
When it comes to providing a quiet and comfortable ride, the Lexus NX 300 excels among luxury crossover SUVs. Performance places it midpack in the segment, and its smaller cargo capacity and high cost compared to more capable and spacious SUVs knock it down a few more pegs. But the biggest drawback is the frustrating infotainment interface, which might be the worst in the industry. | |
How does the NX 300 drive? | |
For performance and driver engagement, the NX 300 comes up as merely average among small luxury SUVs. The engine is smooth and has good low-end power, but its 0-60 mph time of 7 seconds flat is average among compact crossover rivals with turbocharged four-cylinders. In panic-braking tests from 60 mph, the NX 300 needed 136 feet to stop, which is a considerable 10 feet longer than average. Steering effort is appropriate and precise, but there's little feedback for the driver. When cornering, there's a good amount of body roll, but the NX is reasonably predictable and poised. The transmission provides seamless shifts in typical driving conditions, and the smooth engine virtually disappears from your awareness. | |
How comfortable is the NX 300? | |
The NX 300's abundance of overall comfort is uncommon in the segment. The front seats offer plenty of room and adequate support for a variety of body types, and optional front-seat ventilation enhances long-distance comfort. The rear seats are also accommodating for adults. In keeping with Lexus' greater emphasis on comfort, the NX's suspension smooths over road imperfections with ease. Neither busy nor nervous, the NX 300 seems to glide unaffected over ruts and bumps. The dual-zone automatic climate control system is controlled mainly through well-labeled buttons and rocker switches. The system works well and isn't too loud. Among luxury crossover SUVs, the Lexus NX 300 is one of the quietest. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The front seats are spacious, and the rear seats have enough — but not abundant — head- and legroom for adults in the outboard seats. The small rear windows, however, make those quarters feel a bit more confining than they are. A memory function saves your seat and steering wheel position, and the range of adjustability will allow most drivers to find a decent setup. The Easy Entry feature, combined with below-average legroom, might make it difficult for passengers to get in or out of the vehicle behind a tall driver. The optional touchpad interface is easily the worst in the industry. The controller is hard to manage, and there's a distinct lack of intuitive menus and buttons. Luckily, most other cabin controls are logical and well conceived. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Although the technology in the NX is modern and effective, its clunky interface may turn off tech-savvy buyers. Thankfully Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available. The optional navigation system, however, is easy to use, with fairly accurate traffic information. The voice controls work well and allow for some degree of natural language. In-car 4G LTE Wi-Fi is included for the first year. The NX's adaptive cruise control, front collision mitigation braking and optional rear cross-traffic alert systems all work well. The lane keeping assist and automatic high-beam activation are less useful since their effectiveness varies too much depending on terrain and surroundings. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The NX sits just below average within the segment for interior cargo space or nooks and cubbies for your gear. It trails competitors with its 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Cargo room is further hampered by the sloped rear window that limits the vehicle's ability to take on bulky items with the seats folded. The door pockets are small, as are the glovebox and center console compartment. The rear seats are a bit cramped, so installing a large rear-facing child seat will be a challenge. It is easy to find and access the car seat points that serve the outboard seating positions, but the center position uses belts attached to the roof. | |
How economical is the NX 300? | |
The all-wheel-drive NX 300 is rated at 24 mpg combined (22 city/27 highway), an estimate that is competitive with other vehicles in the class. We averaged 25.7 mpg on our highway-heavy evaluation loop, which is in line with what we'd expect with such a rating. | |
Is the NX 300 a good value? | |
A base NX 300 provides good value, especially if interior volume isn't the highest priority. The NuLuxe simulated leather upholstery looks and feels like the genuine article. Common touch points are well padded, and other interior materials are nice quality and tightly fitted for a solid feel. But add a bunch of options and the appeal of the NX lessens because the price gets harder to justify and its shortcomings become harder to overlook. Warranty coverage is a bit better than average for a luxury make. | |
Wildcard | |
Styling, both inside and out, may present a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. The many high-tech features should appeal to early adopters, but the heavily flawed touchpad interface will temper their enthusiasm. While the NX 300 lags behind others in its class in driver engagement and performance, it will prove more than adequate for most drivers. It's not particularly entertaining or stimulating, but it is predictable and controllable. It's easy to drive in nearly all conditions and places few demands on the driver. | |
Which NX 300 does Edmunds recommend?
We recommend the base NX 300 since it comes standard with an abundance of safety features and offers plenty of stand-alone or package options to choose from. The F Sport and Luxury trims add some nice creature comforts, but most of their desirable features can be selected à la carte at the base level.
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Lexus NX 300 models
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 is a five-passenger compact SUV available in three trim levels: the standard NX 300, the NX 300 F Sport and the NX 300 Luxury. The hybrid NX, the NX 300h, is reviewed separately. All three trim levels come standard with:
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2021 Lexus NX 300 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Base
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$38,896
14 for sale in 20147
F SPORT
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$41,451
7 for sale in 20147
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2021 Lexus NX 300.
Trending topics in reviews
- comfort
- seats
- driving experience
- value
- interior
- acceleration
- handling & steering
- ride quality
- road noise
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, nx300
new to lexus,
F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
With covid it sure made things different on shopping and working a deal ( sometimes easier as you call walk away much easier) test drove and bought .. car drives so smooth and has alot of electronic ... i would recommend this vehicle so far , only have owned a week . dealer worked with me and never felt pressured . touch pad is a little different and i was concerned from reviews i read , but so far am getting used to it and was not a deal breaker like some reviewed
5/5 stars, Great Luxury Small SUV
Dale Hobbs,
4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I really like this vehicle. My daughter has a RX350 which really turned on the Lexus quality and features, but the NX300 fit our needs better. Beautiful interior, smooth ride, and looks that set it apart from other vehicles in its class. Once you get used to the info system, its fine. Also, the speak function prividea everything you need- climates media, phone. Only issue that I don't like- when using Apple Play for navigation via USB, the speak function is disabled,. but I have to research that a bit more. Overall, I am very satisfied.
5/5 stars, Movin on To 2021!
Marilyn,
Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
The NX2021 is such a zippy little SUB. Compared to the 2018 model I was driving it surges rapidly into traffic. It is seemingly quicker to accelerate and easily changes lanes to keep up with freeway traffic. I have not taken it on long trips because of COVID, but it is so quiet on my trips around town It reminds me of the BMWX5 I had before moving to the Lexus brand. The seats in this year model are very comfortable. The cabin seems wider than the 2018. It is a fun, responsive, sporty little SUV that is a joy to drive!
4/5 stars, Great value for luxury
Kamrock,
4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
I purchased the base model with a premium upgrade. The drive is smooth and the safety features are superb - much needed for driving in Los Angeles traffic. Although the touch pad for the technology system received subpar reviews, It's worked out okay for me. The only complaint I have is that the headrest for the driver seat and front passenger seat tilt too far inward. It was extremely uncomfortable over long periods. I had to flip it backward and purchase a headrest cushion to make it work. Now my rides are much more comfortable. Other than that I truly enjoy the car. I chose this over the BMW X3 for the value and affordable upkeep. Although I do wish the seats were comparable to the BMW X3 as well as the sunroof.
Helpful shopping links
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $37,610
- MPG & Fuel
- 22 City / 28 Hwy / 25 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 235 hp @ 4800 rpm
- Torque: 258 lb-ft @ 1650 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 182.7 in. / Height: 64.8 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: 83.9 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 73.6 in.
- Curb Weight: 3940 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 17.7 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite NX 300 safety features:
- Lexus Safety System+ 2.0
- Helps mitigate accidents by alerting you when a front collision is imminent or when you deviate from your lane.
- Blind-Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot and warns about approaching cross-traffic when you're backing up.
- Lexus Enform Safety Connect
- Lets you connect with roadside assistance and can contact the authorities in case of a collision or vehicle theft.
Lexus NX 300 vs. the competition
2021 Lexus NX 300
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
Lexus NX 300 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLB is currently our top-rated pick in the extra-small luxury SUV segment. It has the edge on the NX 300 with its much more user-friendly tech interface, more cargo space and better fuel economy, all for about the same price. But when it comes to standard equipment, the NX 300 has the Mercedes beat — the base-level Lexus comes with a lot more in the way of driver aids.
Lexus NX 300 vs. Acura RDX
Slightly larger than the Lexus NX, the Acura RDX offers more interior space and nearly double the cargo capacity of the NX 300 behind the rear seats. Both SUVs come with a long list of standard equipment, especially in the driver safety-aid department, and starting prices are similar. The RDX is a bit more enjoyable to drive thanks to sharp steering and handling. So if you can fit a larger SUV in your driveway, we recommend the RDX.
Lexus NX 300 vs. Infiniti QX50
Much like the NX 300, the Infiniti QX50 offers quite a bit of standard equipment for the price. Like the NX, the Infiniti comes standard with smartphone connectivity, blind-spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation. But the Infiniti, measuring 2 inches longer than the Lexus, offers significantly more cargo space (31.1 cubic feet versus the NX's 17.7 cubes) and 2 additional inches of rear legroom. If you want a more spacious SUV, the QX50 is worth a closer look.
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FAQ
Is the Lexus NX 300 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 NX 300 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.0 out of 10. You probably care about Lexus NX 300 fuel economy, so it's important to know that the NX 300 gets an EPA-estimated 24 mpg to 25 mpg, depending on the configuration. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the NX 300 has 17.7 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Lexus NX 300. Learn more
What's new in the 2021 Lexus NX 300?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Lexus NX 300:
- A blind-spot monitor and auto-dimming exterior mirrors are now standard
- Part of the first NX generation, originally introduced for 2015 as the NX 200t
Is the Lexus NX 300 reliable?
To determine whether the Lexus NX 300 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the NX 300. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the NX 300's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2021 Lexus NX 300 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Lexus NX 300 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 NX 300 and gave it a 7.0 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 NX 300 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2021 Lexus NX 300?
The least-expensive 2021 Lexus NX 300 is the 2021 Lexus NX 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $37,610.
Other versions include:
- 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $37,610
- 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $39,010
- F SPORT 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $39,710
- F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $41,110
- Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $44,060
- Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $45,460
What are the different models of Lexus NX 300?
If you're interested in the Lexus NX 300, the next question is, which NX 300 model is right for you? NX 300 variants include 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A), 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A), F SPORT 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A), and F SPORT 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A). For a full list of NX 300 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more