The 2025 NX 450h+, which is the plug-in hybrid version of the NX SUV, is comfortable, fuel-efficient, and loaded with in-car tech and driver aids. Its 37 miles of all-electric range also means you can save quite a bit on gas. Only ho-hum performance and utility hold it back from being truly great.Read full review
Less cargo and rear seat space than most competitors
What's new
USB-C ports included on front console
Wireless charging available on all grades
Additional driver assist technology standard
Part of the second NX generation introduced for 2022
Overview
You can think of the 2025 Lexus NX as the classic "jack-of-all-trades" in the small luxury SUV class. The NX 250 offers an affordable entry point to the luxury brand, and the NX 350 boosts things with a turbocharged engine. Two different hybrids are also available, including a plug-in hybrid. Regardless of your choice, you're treated to a classy cabin and available amenities like an excellent audio system. Even if the NX doesn't excel to the point of being a top pick for the class, it's a well-rounded small luxury SUV that deserves to be on most shopping lists.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
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Cost to Drive
$115/mo
NX
vs
$195/mo
SUV Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
Am I Ready for a Plug-In Hybrid?
EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet)
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
Edmunds spotlight: Deciding between a regular NX and the NX hybrid
Since the NX comes with gas or hybrid options, it's worth considering which is right for your needs. When new, the lowest-cost NX hybrid, the NX 350h, comes at about $2,700 more than the all-wheel-drive NX 250. For that you get an EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined fuel economy in the hybrid versus 28 mpg combined in the NX 250. It's a sizable jump. However, the NX 250 runs on regular gas, while the hybrid requires premium, and it could take years for you to recoup the additional cost of the hybrid strictly on fuel economy. It's a similar story for the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, though it has more horsepower.
Competitors to consider
Even though there are F Sport versions of the Lexus NX, those still may not be enough to scratch the itch for those looking for a more dynamic driving experience. If that's you, the BMW X3 or Porsche Macan might be a solid pick. Or you might check out the value-packed Acura RDX, luxurious Mercedes-Benz GLC or our top-rated small luxury SUV, the Genesis GV70. Want to know more about the NX? Check out our test team's Expert Rating below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our Verdict
Good
7.7
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 NX 450h+, which is the plug-in hybrid version of the NX SUV, is comfortable, fuel-efficient, and loaded with in-car tech and driver aids. Its 37 miles of all-electric range also means you can save quite a bit on gas. Only ho-hum performance and utility hold it back from being truly great.
How does the NX drive? Lexus has been building hybrids for years now, and that expertise pays dividends with the plug-in NX. On the Edmunds test track, our test NX 450h+ accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Other luxury SUVs with plug-in powertrains are quicker — Volvo's XC60, for example — but the 450h+ offers plenty of smooth power for day-to-day driving. Lay into it when merging or passing and the gas engine quickly and seamlessly provides the oomph you need.
The brakes are smooth to operate, and this setup thankfully avoids a vague- or grabby-feeling pedal that hybrids sometimes have. The suspension is tuned for comfort, not performance. As such, grip limits are low, and the NX leans heavily in curves. Our test car was the base version, however, and it's reasonable to assume the NX 450h+ F Sport will provide slightly tidier handling.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the NX? The front seats are well padded and supportive, though not quite as sporty as the available F Sport seats. The ride is comfortable, too, and road imperfections are smoothed out without it being overly soft or bouncy. The NX 450h+ is quiet, too, and near silent at low speeds when running in EV mode.
We wish the climate control system was a little better. The controls are easy to reach and the knobs look nice, but some of the information is hidden when the navigation system is active. We found it ran on the warm side, too. The air temp was uneven and varied depending on if the gas engine was running. We were constantly fiddling with the controls to stay comfortable.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The NX's interior is sufficiently spacious and well organized. The front seats offer decent adjustability, and it's not difficult to find a comfortable driving position that places all of the major controls within easy reach. The controls themselves are mostly easy to use. Lexus' latest infotainment system is a big improvement over previous systems too. The biggest problem is with the steering wheel controls. They're unmarked and multifunctional, and the only way to see what function a button performs is by looking in the head-up display. And if you wear polarized sunglasses, it's difficult to see. Lexus overthought this a bit.
The NX is generally easy to see out of, with the exception of a narrow rear window that pinches the view out of the back. The center display screen displays a large, clear image from the cameras. The 360-degree surround-view camera is particularly useful. Most people should find the NX reasonably spacious, with headroom, legroom and shoulder room for four adults. The rear floor is a bit high, so taller passengers might sit a little awkwardly.
How’s the tech? The NX 450h+ comes loaded with most of the latest in-car tech Lexus has to offer. The dash is dominated by a 14-inch touchscreen display. It's great to look at and quick to respond, but the menu structure isn't always the most intuitive to use. We really like the navigation system, especially how it integrates turn-by-turn directions in the 10-inch head-up display. However, it requires a subscription to use beyond the trial period.
If you prefer to use your phone, the NX comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both with wireless connectivity. We had some mild connection issues when multiple phones were paired, but nothing persistent. Lexus also includes a full suite of driver aids, including adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. Our test vehicle also included a surround-view monitor that looks particularly good on the large touchscreen display. The aids themselves work well enough. The adaptive cruise adjusts speed smoothly, but it's a bit conservative in the gap it keeps the NX from the vehicle ahead. The lane keeping assistance is a bit too aggressive too.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? The Lexus NX is one of the smallest vehicles in its class, something reflected in its subpar cargo capacity. With 22.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats down, the Lexus offers significantly less cargo capacity than rivals. We do give Lexus props for packaging the battery in a way that doesn't take up additional cargo area, but small is still small. Storage in the rest of the cabin is a bit better. The door pockets are somewhat small, but the center console is spacious, and the bin hidden underneath the wireless charging pad is very handy.
The short doors and small rear opening might be a bit of an issue, but installing a car seat shouldn't be too troublesome. The anchors are easy to access without digging, and there's enough room that fitting larger seats shouldn't be an issue.
How’s the fuel economy? The NX 450h+ can go an EPA-estimated 37 miles on all-electric power assuming you've got the battery fully charged. After that, the EPA says you can expect 36 mpg combined during regular hybrid operation. Most rivals aren't even rated for more than 30 miles on the battery alone, and none match the fuel economy you'll find here. Frequently plugging in to charge can really help save on gas.
We also verified these numbers on our evaluation route, where we managed to drive 43 miles on electric power alone and saw 35.2 mpg after depleting the battery and running in hybrid mode, the majority of which was highway travel. Very good stuff from Lexus.
Value
8/10
Is the NX a good value? The NX 450h+ is priced on par with other luxury plug-in hybrid SUVs. But the NX comes better equipped from the get-go than most of its rivals, many of which can soar to eye-watering prices when loaded with options. Build quality is stellar too. The interior is handsome and well appointed, with lots of nice leather and wood throughout the cabin. Even the plastics Lexus uses in the NX don't feel particularly cut-rate. There was nary a rattle or shake during our drive, a plus given how quiet it is with the engine off.
Lexus includes a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty with the NX. The engine is covered for six years/70,000 miles. Lexus also covers the hybrid part of the powertrain for eight years/100,000 miles and the battery pack for 10 years/150,000 miles. All of those are about average for the class.
Wildcard
7.5/10
Lexus crossover SUVs aren't exactly synonymous with a shining, fun-to-drive demeanor. The NX 450h+ isn't going to do anything to change that perception. That's not to say it's bad — it's simply just not that exciting. It drives well enough but is far from the sportiest plug-in we've ever driven. It's quick but not as quick or as fun as its rivals. And while we like the exterior design, there's not much that makes it stand out from every other Lexus SUV on the road.
Which NX does Edmunds recommend?
If you're considering the plug-in hybrid version of the NX, we suggest sticking with the base NX 450h+. It has all the best standard and optional features from the rest of the NX lineup, and among the stand-alone options available we suggest the 6.6-kW onboard charger for quicker charging times.
The overall sentiment for the 2025 Lexus NX is mixed. Many owners praise its comfort, smooth drive, and great technology, especially enjoying the fuel economy on hybrid models. However, some owners have faced issues with engine noise and disappointing performance despite the high price. There are also complaints about the loud road noise and complex technology, which can be a bit challenging to understand initially.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
I migrated to NX450h+ 2025 from Toyota RAV4h Lim 2021 (annoying inter-stare road noise and low comfort passenger seat) traded in for Lexus 350h Premium 2022 (nicer finish, well thought controls, less road noise, a bit better acceleration). The latter I traded in for my actual 450h+. Also my wife drives a Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid Lim 2023.
Pros:
- best comfort cabin compared with … other 3
- well thought battery (average 42 miles in sport mode for my daily traffic) life for regular sub-urban commuting. Better than Tucson PHEV by 40%.
- Best all-around safety features.
- Best sound system (Mark Levinson)
- Comfortable for long trips.
- Best infotainment system, albeit the infotainment display could be a tad higher.
Cons:
- Noisier than Tucson PHEV on interstate but quieter than RAV4h.
- The USB port can’t accommodate portable hard drives, which is a draw-back since the audio system could play hi-res audio files (e.g. FLAC, AIFF), but the USB port/audio system can’t support 1+ GB HDD, required by hi-end music.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Driver
4 / 5
Passenger
4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
5 / 5
Back Seat
5 / 5
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
Not Rated
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
Not Rated
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
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Good
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested
FAQ
Is the Lexus NX a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 NX both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.7 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the NX has 22.7 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. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Lexus NX?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Lexus NX:
USB-C ports included on front console
Wireless charging available on all grades
Additional driver assist technology standard
Part of the second NX generation introduced for 2022
To determine whether the Lexus NX is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the NX. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the NX's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Lexus NX a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Lexus NX is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 NX and gave it a 7.7 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 NX is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Lexus NX?
The least-expensive 2025 Lexus NX is the 2025 Lexus NX 450h+ 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $61,240.
Other versions include:
450h+ 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $61,240
450h+ F SPORT Handling 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $62,330
If you're interested in the Lexus NX, the next question is, which NX model is right for you? NX variants include 450h+ 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT), and 450h+ F SPORT Handling 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT). For a full list of NX models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more