2020 Lexus NX 300 Review
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2020 Lexus NX 300 Review
byTravis Langness
Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.
Pros
- Cabin is very quiet at highway speeds
- Supremely comfortable ride and seats
- Lots of standard high-tech safety features
Cons
- Remote Touchpad interface is frustrating to use
- Limited cargo volume
- Not much fun to drive, even with the F Sport package
What's new
- New driver safety features, including low-light pedestrian detection, bicyclist detection and lane centering assist
- New Android Auto smartphone integration
- Mark Levinson premium sound system is now available
- Part of the first NX generation, originally introduced for 2015 as the NX 200t
Overview
The 2020 Lexus NX 300 is a desirable small-luxury SUV that's comfortable and spacious enough for adult passengers and packed with all sorts of standard (and optional) safety features. For 2020, it gets added standard safety equipment via the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, plus a Mark Levinson premium sound system is offered for the first time. What's more, we like the seats, the interior materials are plush, and the cabin layout is nice. Unfortunately, there are some big drawbacks worth noting, too.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lexus NX 300 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.07 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$206/mo
NX 300 Base
vs
$192/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
While the cabin is roomy, the NX's cargo space is limited, especially with the rear seats in place. The sloping rear hatch minimizes cargo space even further, putting it well behind rivals. Up front, the infotainment interface still uses Lexus' touchpad system, which can be distracting and frustrating to use. Lexus has added Android Auto smartphone integration for 2020 at least. It joins Apple CarPlay, so now pretty much all smartphone users can more easily mirror their phone's apps on the infotainment display.
In the end, the 2020 NX 300 isn't our least-favorite SUV, but it isn't a class leader either. It has good value compared to similarly priced rivals and plenty of desirable standard safety features — so for some shoppers, it might be worth a look.
Edmunds Expert Rating
below avg
7.0/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
When it comes to providing a quiet and comfortable ride experience, 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
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Which NX 300 does Edmunds recommend?
New standard safety features added to the NX 300 this year make the base model worth considering. Buyers seeking more creature comforts can check out the Comfort and Premium packages.
2020 Lexus NX 300 models
The 2020 Lexus NX 300 is a five-passenger compact SUV available in two trim levels: the standard NX 300 and the NX 300 F Sport. It comes standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (235 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) and a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. The NX 300h hybrid is reviewed separately.