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2018 Lexus NX 300h

2018 Lexus NX 300h
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MSRP
$38,335
Edmunds Rating
7.1 out of 10
Consumer Rating
(5)
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2018 Lexus NX 300h
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Pros

  • Great fuel economy for a luxury crossover
  • Back seat has enough room for adults
  • Very quiet cabin at highway speeds

Cons

  • Infotainment interface can be distracting to use
  • Limited cargo capacity
Lexus NX 300h years
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
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2018 Lexus NX 300h pricing

in Ashburn, VA
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2019 NX 300h

msrp

$38,535
starting price
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Which NX 300h does Edmunds recommend?

There's only one trim level of the NX 300h, but there is a handful of option packages from which to choose. We recommend the Comfort package at a minimum for the heated and ventilated front seats. Otherwise, for more creature comforts, get an NX with the Luxury package. It includes the contents of the Comfort and Premium packages (plus perforated leather trim, automatic wipers and a heated steering wheel) for a bit less money.

Edmunds' Expert Review

Overall rating

7.1 / 10

Despite its aggressive styling, this hybrid is an even more sensible-shoes compact SUV than the NX 300 upon which it is based. It retains the visual attitude of its stablemate while delivering even better fuel economy.

Entering its fourth model year, the Lexus NX 300h compact SUV receives only minor changes for 2018. You can expect a quiet, pleasant driving experience even if the outside world thinks you're making a shouty statement.

With less power and slightly more weight to haul around than the regular NX 300, the hybrid NX won't pin you to the seat with authority. But the thrust of the NX hybrid is perfectly adequate around town, moving it away from stoplights on a bump of electrically augmented torque. Plus, that aforementioned seat is a well-padded and comfortable place from which to spend long stints behind the wheel.

Hybrid versions of conventional vehicles often suffer reduced cargo volume resulting from the need to package the large hybrid battery. In the case of the NX hybrid, this penalty is modest. However, the NX doesn't have a large cargo area to begin with. It's one of just two notable downsides to the NX 300h. The other is its infotainment interface, which can be distracting to use.

Overall, though, we like the NX 300h and think it's a smart choice for luxury crossover SUV shoppers wanting a pleasing mix of luxury, fuel economy and style.

2018 Lexus NX 300h configurations

The 2018 Lexus NX 300h is a five-seat compact hybrid SUV, available in just one version. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and hybrid system deliver a combined power of 194 hp. It is available only with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, LED foglights and running lights, keyless ignition and entry, automatic dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, simulated-leather upholstery (Lexus' NuLuxe), a 60/40-split folding and reclining back seat, a 8-inch infotainment display with a touchpad interface, and an eight-speaker sound system.

Also included is adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane departure warning and intervention, and automatic high beams.

Available option packages help buyers get the most out of their NX. The Navigation package, for example, comes with a larger 10.3-inch display, Enform Destination Assist, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a 10-speaker audio system. A Comfort package includes heated and ventilated front seats, blind-spot monitoring and auto-dimming side mirrors. The Premium package includes the items from the Comfort package and adds a sunroof, driver-seat memory settings, 18-inch wheels, a power-adjustable steering wheel, and enhanced LED daytime running lights with integrated turn signals. Finally, a Luxury package combines what you get from the Premium package and adds leather seating surfaces, wood interior pieces, automatic wipers and a heated leather steering wheel.

Stand-alone options include a hands-free liftgate, parking sensors, adaptive headlights and even power-folding rear seats.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 Lexus NX 300h (2.5L inline-4 hybrid | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current NX 300h has received some revisions, including a revised infotainment interface and the addition of various driver assistance features. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's NX 300h.

Driving

6.5
There's nothing overly noteworthy in terms of the NX 300h's performance. It's far from quick, but also not turtle-slow. Around-town braking action can be annoying, but the steering and handling are predictable and at least somewhat entertaining.

Acceleration

6.5
A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with electric motors spins up a total of 194 horsepower. Acceleration at our test facility wasn't impressive — expect a 0-60 mph time of 8.4 seconds — but the NX 300h feels reasonably peppy out on the road.

Braking

5.5
The NX 300h stopped from 60 mph in just 118 feet at our test track, which is decent. Stability was excellent. But around town, the pedal felt spongy, and the regenerative braking action makes it difficult to properly modulate for smooth stops.

Steering

7.5
The steering weight is on the heavier side, but it tracks perfectly straight down the highway. There's reasonable precision, and it offers at least some feedback on mountain roads. Understeer doesn't set in as quickly as you'd expect.

Handling

7.0
The NX 300h is actually a halfway-fun SUV to drive around turns. Body lean through corners is pretty noticeable, but that's to be expected of a vehicle like this. It's easy to control.

Drivability

5.5
The CVT keeps the engine at a constant, high rpm when you're driving up long uphill grades. It can get annoying, as can the terribly inconsistent braking action.

Comfort

7.5
The NX 300h has supple, well-padded front seats and soft armrests all around. It's also quiet, although the CVT will sometimes wind the engine out. The ride is comfy on the highway and country two-lanes, but it can be harsh around town.

Seat comfort

8.5
The front seats are superb with plush cushions for all-day comfort, plus well-padded armrests. The rear seats are perched up high and you sit more on them than in them. The rear seatbacks, however, do recline.

Ride comfort

6.5
The NX 300h absorbs big bumps well but struggles to damp out the smaller ripples that come all at once. The comfy seats help with cushioning things, but only to a point.

Noise & vibration

8.0
It's pretty quiet inside the NX 300h. You hear some regenerative braking whine, and the large side mirrors give some wind whistling, but the tires are extremely silent on the highway. Almost no engine noise at cruising speeds.

Interior

7.5
The interior styling is a bit funky, but it's nothing objectionable. Entry and exit and outward visibility are all pretty good, and most controls have a nice feel. But the finger-controlled Remote Touch system is irksome.

Ease of use

5.5
The controls have a nice heft and fluidity to them; the steering wheel isn't cluttered with buttons. The optional Remote Touch trace pad is hard to use while driving.

Getting in/getting out

7.5
The large front doors open wide. The seats have rather large bolsters, but they don't get in the way. Near-perfect step-in height. The rear doors don't open wide, and the high-perched seat forces you to duck to avoid hitting your head on the roof.

Roominess

8.0
Excellent front headroom. Rear headroom is decent considering the high seats. It should be comfortable for two adults.

Visibility

7.5
The windshield and side roof pillars are slender, but the rear pillars are thick. The roof also slopes dramatically, resulting in a small rear window. The large side mirrors help.

Quality

8.0
We were impressed with the overall quality of the NX 300h. You'll find lots of soft leather all around; the steering wheel and shifter feel good; and the armrests are well-padded. Interesting textures. There's little in the way of cheap plastics.

Utility

7.0
The cargo area is easily accessible and has a wide opening, but the volume itself is rather small. Things are a bit better in the cabin, where there are a few options for stashing the items you use every day.

Small-item storage

No front bin but decent-size armrest bin with twin USB ports. Long door pockets with bottle holder. The center console cupholders have anti-tip design.

Cargo space

The cargo space behind the rear seats holds just 16.8 cubic feet. Folding down the seats gives you a total of 53.7 cubic feet. This is subpar for a luxury crossover in this class. With the seats up, it's less spacious than even some subcompact crossovers.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2018 Lexus NX 300h.

Overall Consumer Rating
4.65 reviews
Write a reviewSee all 5 reviews
5(60%)
4(40%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(0%)

Most helpful consumer reviews

Lexus wins over BMW, Mercedes and Audi compact SUV
soniaO,01/24/2018
I wanted to downsize to a compact SUV after driving larger vehicles while raising my children. After several test drives, it came down to BMW and Lexus. I liked the looks and performance of the BMW, but the comfort of the Lexus outperformed the BMW. I want and need comfort. A recent road rage experience tested the NX 300h’s automatic braking ability. The driver in front of me abruptly stopped his vehicle illegally on a highway. The LEXUS stopped on a dime, keeping me and the jerk who had stopped safe. While it would have been nice to have 2-driver seat memory like our LEXUS ES350, I’m the primary driver who drives the NX 300h 99% of the time, so it wasn’t an important feature to me. Also, I disliked the automatic wipers on our ES350. We live along the coast where the air is often moist. No amount of fine tuning would keep the automatic wipers turning on in thin fog. We shut off that function. Glad it wasn’t to pester me on the NX 300h. I like the driving assist feature that automatically slows down my car when approaching slower vehicles. I also like that I can easily bypass that function by accelerating and pass them. Everything functional in the LEXUS works great. I love my NX 300h. My only two beefs have to do with looks: in an effort to appear luxurious, LEXUS copied BMW to an extent for the interior. The little bit of “luxury”on the dash looks small and silly, compared to the entire sweep of luxury on the BMW X1 & X3’s dashboard. Also, instead of smooth lines, the NX300h has odd rear lights that stick out from the car, reminiscent of the 1950’s fins. I wonder how long it will take for falling rocks to break one of my rear lights.
My Daily Driver NX300h
Robert S,08/04/2018
I traded my used 2015 GX460 for this vehicle. The GX was simply too big and the gas mileage too low to justify keeping this car (especially as I have a 2016 RC350 sports car that I use as my fun car). I bought the NX as my daily driver, and decided to get the hybrid so as to have an SUV that gets at least 30mpg overall. The car is excellent in every respect except for two areas. Acceleration is poor, especially when getting onto the highway. But once the NX gets up to speed it maintains it's speed well. Gas mileage was good the first few months, getting at 30 mpg on each tank of gas (my best was 35.3 mpg). But in the last month the mileage has dropped to between 27 to 28 mpg. I'm still happy with the vehicle, but in hindsight would probably have gotten the gas only version instead of paying the premium for the hybrid. Regardless, the NX is an overall great SUV and do not regret buying one.
Check features BEFORE you buy
Ememe,01/13/2018
This is the 5th Lexus car I bought. When purchasing the NX I assumed certain features, which I considered to be basic for a Lexus car, would be included. THAT IS NOT THE CASE!! For instance, I was considering an NX 300, but it did not have driver's seat memory. I had to buy an NX 300 H, which the salesman said was top-of-the-line, for over $45,000 MSRP, to get driver's seat memory and the parking sensors. However, after I got it, I realized this car does not turn on the wipers automatically when it rains (a feature I already had in a 2005 RX 330). The car also does not have the heads-up display (a feature I already had in a 2010 RX 450H). In summary, for the NX Lexus is delivering a basic car which does not have the features you usually expect to get in a Lexus car. So, check what you are going to get BEFORE buying an NX.
Nice SUV/CUV
HDF,01/20/2018
Discount pricing is difficult to obtain.
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Features & Specs

MSRP
$38,335
MPG
33 city / 30 hwy
Seats 5
Continuously variable-speed automatic
Hybrid
194 hp @ 5700 rpm
See all 2018 Lexus NX 300h features & specs

Safety

Our experts’ favorite NX 300h safety features:

Lexus Safety System+
Helps mitigate accidents by alerting you to impending forward collisions or when you deviate from your lane.
Blind-Spot Monitor, Cross-Traffic Alert
Alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot. Also warns you about oncoming cross-traffic when backing up.
Lexus Enform Safety Connect
Lets you connect with roadside assistance, and can contact the authorities in case of a collision or stolen vehicle.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
  • Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
    Overall4 / 5
    Driver4 / 5
    Passenger4 / 5
  • Side Crash Rating
    Overall5 / 5
  • Side Barrier Rating
    Overall5 / 5
    Driver5 / 5
    Passenger5 / 5
  • Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
    Front Seat5 / 5
    Back Seat5 / 5
  • Rollover
    Rollover4 / 5
    Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
    Risk Of Rollover16%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
  • Side Impact Test
    Good
  • Roof Strength Test
    Good
  • Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
    Good
  • IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
    Good
  • Moderate Overlap Front Test
    Good

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More about the 2018 Lexus NX 300h

The 2018 Lexus NX 300h generally fits into the compact luxury crossover SUV segment. The twist? It's a hybrid. The NX 300h is elegantly appointed and just the sort of thing for getting through the day. Yet at the end of that day, you're looking at gas bills you might otherwise associate with ownership of an economy car.

The NX 300h's powertrain combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a trio of electric motors. One electric motor acts as a generator and charges the nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Another motor supplies power to the front wheels, and one at the back powers the rear wheels. The result is virtuous fuel economy numbers and an all-wheel-drive system built around those electric motors. Computers control all the motors so that the dance between them is practically undetectable. Total system power is 194 horsepower.

There's just one trim level, but the 2018 Lexus NX 300h comes respectably equipped with features such as LED headlights, power front seats, simulated leather upholstery, and keyless ignition and entry. If you want more, the NX 300h can be further upgraded with four option packages: Luxury, Premium, Navigation and Comfort. The Luxury and Premium come with the most features, so if you want a fully loaded NX, make sure yours will have one or both packages.

Other individual options include a sunroof, adaptive headlights and a hands-free liftgate. As is expected of a modern luxury crossover, the electronic technology load is high. But you'll want to play around with the NX's available Remote Touch infotainment interface to see if it's to your liking. It can be distracting to use while on the move.

We've also found the NX 300h isn't particularly quick, and though the backseat space is generous for the segment, there's little room left over for cargo space. If you're shopping for an affordable luxury crossover and want great fuel economy, too, the NX 300h is a great choice. Use the tools here on Edmunds and we'll guide you to a solid deal.

2018 Lexus NX 300h Overview

The 2018 Lexus NX 300h is offered in the following submodels: NX 300h SUV. Available styles include 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT).

What do people think of the 2018 Lexus NX 300h?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Lexus NX 300h and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 NX 300h 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 NX 300h.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Lexus NX 300h and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 NX 300h featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

Which 2018 Lexus NX 300hs are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Lexus NX 300h for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Lexus NX 300h.

Can't find a new 2018 Lexus NX 300hs you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a new Lexus NX 300h for sale - 10 great deals out of 11 listings starting at $21,639.

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Why trust Edmunds?

Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.

Should I lease or buy a 2018 Lexus NX 300h?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

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