2018 Lexus NX 300h Review

Name: 2018 Lexus NX 300h Review
Brand: Lexus
Price: 27998 USD

Lexus NX 300h Base 4dr SUV Exterior. Options Shown.

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byJason Kavanagh^{Senior Vehicle Test Engineer
Jason joined Edmunds' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.}

Pros

High 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

What's new

Updated front and rear styling
Many advanced driver safety systems, including forward collision mitigation, are now standard
New features include a Wi-Fi hotspot and a larger infotainment touchpad and screen
Part of the first NX generation introduced for 2015

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.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Lexus NX 300h 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$138/mo

$201/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.1 / 10

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 Lexus NX 300h (2.5L 4-cyl. hybrid | CVT automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.1 / 10
Driving	7.0
Comfort	8.5
Interior	6.5
Utility	6.0
Technology	7.0

Driving

7.0

The 300h's low-end electric power and small dimensions help it scoot around quickly in the city. Maximum acceleration leaves a bit to be desired, as does steering feel, but overall performance is totally adequate.

Acceleration

6.5

The 300h's power won't wow you, but passing maneuvers can be made with enough planning. In Edmunds testing, 0-60 mph took 8.8 seconds, which is a bit slow in this class.

Braking

7.0

Not much happens when you first press the brake pedal, but braking power is linear and strong. You will notice the transition from the regenerative braking to the friction brakes, but it's only slightly off-putting. In Edmunds braking testing, the 300h came to a stop from 60 mph in 129 feet, which is an average distance for the segment.

Steering

6.5

At low speeds, the steering is light and helps you get into tight parking spaces with ease. Switch to Sport mode and the resistance increases. Feedback, however, is vague in all scenarios. You will have little idea of where on-center is when driving straight or what the wheels are doing when driving around turns.

Handling

7.0

While the 300h's handling isn't sporty, it is impressive for a hybrid SUV. The vehicle changes direction with relative speed and ease and is competent on curvy mountain roads.

Drivability

7.5

Thanks to the hybrid powertrain, there's a good burst of electric torque between city stoplights. Up long grades, the engine sounds like it's working hard because of the nature of the hybrid powertrain and continuously variable automatic transmission.

Comfort

8.5

Get settled in for the long haul as this Lexus NX 300h makes for a great road-trip car. Both the front and rear seats are comfortable and supportive. Combine that with a plush ride, a quiet cabin and strong climate control system, and you've got a small SUV that you can easily drive for hours at a time.

Seat comfort

8.5

Both the front and rear seats have comfortable padding and robust side bolsters. The adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat helps on long journeys. Road trips should be a breeze in any seating position.

Ride comfort

8.5

Over almost every road surface, ride quality in the NX 300h is excellent. Big and small bumps alike are soaked up well. The rear suspension gets a bit upset when you hit a large pothole or a bump midcorner, but the NX recovers and resettles itself in short order.

Noise & vibration

8.5

On the highway, things are hush-hush in the NX. Road noise is a nonissue, and there's just a bit of wind noise coming from the roof and the sideview mirrors at highway speeds. Under full-throttle acceleration, the hybrid powertrain drones a bit, but in most low-speed city scenarios you'll barely notice it.

Climate control

8.0

The standard automatic dual-zone climate control works quickly and quietly to cool or heat the small cabin. Controls are within reach but they are aimed strangely upward. Optional heated and ventilated front seats are a nice touch and they cool or heat with relatively quick speed.

Interior

6.5

While the NX is relatively spacious, the Remote Touch infotainment interface could be a deal-breaker for some tech-savvy (or tech-averse) buyers. The system is difficult to use on a regular basis and drags the NX's score down.

Ease of use

4.0

Operating Lexus' Remote Touch interface is frustrating and counterintuitive. It requires laser-focused attention on the infotainment screen to select the right commands, which is highly distracting while driving. The large center console has an array of buttons that are oddly angled in entirely different directions. They never feel natural.

Getting in/getting out

7.5

Sliding in and out of the NX is a breeze whether you're getting into the front or the back seat. The short doors mean you can exit both rows without worrying too much about opening them and hitting a neighboring parked car. The sill's step-over height is sufficiently low as you enter.

Driving position

7.0

The driving position is relatively comfortable, and the telescoping steering wheel has a wide range of adjustment. But we aren't fond of the angled head restraint. It can't be adjusted, and many drivers will find it uncomfortable.

Roominess

7.0

The front seat offers plenty of headroom. The big back seat also provides generous headroom thanks to a low seat and a reclining rear seatback. But rear-seat footroom is tight under the front seats, and the cabin has a relative scarcity of elbow room.

Visibility

7.0

It's easy to see out of the NX's windshield and front windows. But because of the sloping rear roof and massive rear roof pillars, there are big blind spots when looking over your shoulders. The standard rearview camera and optional blind-spot monitor help out significantly.

Quality

6.5

Compared to some of the top-notch German luxury SUVs, the NX is a step behind on build quality. Interior construction is solid, but touchpoint materials could be better for a luxury SUV. Also, our test vehicle had some uncanny squeaks and rattles that were troubling in a brand-new car.

Utility

6.0

While there is a decent amount of cargo space when you fold the rear seats (53.7 cubic feet), the NX is lacking in seat-up cargo space, small-item storage, and space for large child seats.

Small-item storage

6.0

There are small cupholders in all four main seating positions and a relatively deep center console up front. But there isn't a great place to store your smartphone otherwise. The thin door pockets have just enough space for a small water bottle.

Cargo space

5.5

The standard NX 300 has just 17.7 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats, but the 300h is further limited to 16.8 cubes. That's far less than size-appropriate rivals and even less than some smaller SUVs. Load-in height is average, but the sloping rear roof could inhibit the fitment of certain tall items.

Child safety seat accommodation

6.5

The rear seats are a bit cramped so installing a big rear-facing child seat will be a challenge. It is easy to find and access the LATCH points that serve the outboard seating positions, but the center position uses belts attached to the roof.

Towing

7.0

With an optional towing package, the 300h is rated to tow a maximum of 1,500 pounds. That's not impressive by SUV standards, but many of the 300h's hybrid competitors aren't rated to tow at all.

Technology

7.0

The available tech in the NX 300h is a mixed bag. The screen is crisp and clear, and audio quality from the optional sound system is enjoyable, but smartphone integration is definitively behind the times. The driver aids and voice controls work well.

Audio & navigation

8.0

The infotainment screen is easy to read and understand, and it has crisp and clear maps for navigation. The optional 10-speaker premium sound system has good audio quality and only distorts at the highest volume. Overall, it's a likable system — apart from the touchpad interface described elsewhere.

Smartphone integration

6.0

The NX offers Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa but no Android Auto. There is a quick USB connection for audio (or Bluetooth) or you can use the Lexus' Enform app for smartphone integration. The thing is, this requires downloading and logging into individual apps, and we're not fans of the complicated setup process.

Driver aids

7.0

Systems such as rear cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring work well on the NX. The adaptive cruise control has adequate performance. But it doesn't accelerate quickly when a gap opens up, and the closest ACC-following distance is only suitable on the wide-open highway.

Voice control

8.0

Voice controls in the NX have a basic, easy-to-learn set of prompts. Even if you forget those, it's good enough to pick up on some natural language. Voice controls can be used for navigation, phone, entertainment and climate control systems. iPhone users get Siri Eyes Free capability, too.

2018 Lexus NX 300h models

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.

Consumer reviews

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

5 (62%)

4 (31%)

3 (7%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

4.6

29 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Love the 300h

mozy_n, 05/02/2015

2015 Lexus NX 300h 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I did not even want to test drive the 300h based on the review of it being sluggish. I'm glad I did. I drove all 3 configurations of this car and like the handling and ride of the hybrid the best. I did and do NOT find it sluggish. It has much better accelleration than the Kia Sorento we traded in. Breaking is excellent also. Handling, comfort are all as you would expect from …

Waited a year for the NX to arrive

socaldriver15, 07/05/2015

2015 Lexus NX 300h 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I had been looking for a compact SUV for about a year and test drove pretty much everything on the market. I had been driving a 2001 Lexus RX300 and really loved that car and did not want the larger footprint of the newer RX models. My ideal car would be the layout of the old RX300 with updated electronics and slightly sportier handling, with the comfort typical of lexus and toyota …

My Daily Driver NX300h

Robert S, 08/04/2018

2018 Lexus NX 300h 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

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. …

NX 300h: Fun, efficient and sharp

Gary M., 05/09/2016

2015 Lexus NX 300h 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

If you like the aggressive styling, you'll definitely enjoy driving the NX. I'm a former RX owner and the NX will appeal to those who liked the size and style of the previous RX models. The NX is roomy enough to be useful while still offering a good garage fit. At approximately 2,000 miles on the odo, I'm averaging about 30 mpg in mixed daily driving. RIDE: The NX is sure-footed with a …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Lexus NX 300h, so we've included reviews for other years of the NX 300h since its last redesign.

See all 29 reviews of the Lexus NX 300h

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2018 NX 300h Highlights

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$38,335
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	31 MPG
Cost to Drive	$138/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the NX 300h models:

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.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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