2026 Lexus NX

Name: 2026 Lexus NX
Brand: Lexus

Release Date: Fall 2025

Estimated Price: $42,000

With a serene cabin, smooth ride, and comfortable seats fore and aft, the NX embodies Lexus' most attractive virtues. It's not a class leader in terms of rear seat space or cargo room, and many competitors are quicker, but the NX does not fall notably short of the leaders in any one regard. For shoppers in this size class and at this price point, it's a strong contender.Read full review

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2026 Lexus NX Review

Pros

Attractive cabin
Comes standard with many desirable features
High fuel economy from available NX hybrid version

Cons

Some controls can be distracting to use
Less cargo and rear seat space than most competitors

What's new

Possible update for 2026
Revised styling and new features are the most likely changes
Part of the second NX generation introduced for 2022

Overview

Written by automotive expert Jared Gall

7/29/2025

The Lexus NX has always had the unenviable task of being the middle child in Lexus' lineup of SUVs. It's bigger and more expensive than the UX while not quite as large, feature-laden or comfortable as the brand's venerable RX. A major overhaul in 2022 brought modern design and trimmings, along with not one but two fuel-saving hybrid powertrain options. We wouldn't be surprised if Lexus gives the 2026 NX a mild update. If that happens, you can likely expect to see some touch-ups to the styling, some new features, and maybe a reworking of some interior controls for a more intuitive layout. But beyond that, the NX will likely be the same as it ever was.

Edmunds spotlight: The urbanite sweet spot

Even though the NX occupies a tight spot in the Lexus lineup, it's probably the right-size SUV for you these days. The RX has gotten quite large over the years, but the NX is ideal for city dwellers and smaller families. It offers similar luxuries to the RX, the same top-notch build quality you'd expect of a Lexus, and the sporty handling you'd expect of a smaller, lighter car. Not only that, but the NX is also almost $10,000 cheaper than the RX. That's certainly something worth thinking about.

Competitors to consider

There are a lot of choices for a small luxury SUV. Those who want something sporty and even less conventionally styled can look to the BMW X3 — it was recently redesigned from the ground up with BMW's latest tech and powertrains. The Mercedes-Benz GLC remains a solid yet more expensive option as well. If you want something that packs in a ton of features for a similar price, the Acura RDX and Genesis GV70 are well worth taking a look at.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Kurt Niebuhr

Good

7.8

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Lexus NX on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the NX drive? We tested the F Sport version and found it provides a pleasing balance of comfort and capability. Acceleration at our test track was unremarkable (0-60 mph in 7 seconds), but the turbocharged engine is sufficiently strong enough for getting up to highway speeds or passing slower traffic. Shifts from the eight-speed automatic transmission aren't particularly quick but are fairly smooth.

In our panic-braking test from 60 mph, our NX 350 F Sport logged a slighter better than average distance of 117 feet. On the road, the NX's brakes are smooth and predictable. The NX's handling inspires confidence but we wouldn't go so far as to call it sporty. The F Sport package on our test vehicle helped to minimize body roll when cornering.

Comfort

8/10

How comfortable is the NX? The NX 350 F Sport, which is what we tested, feels taut and secure without being overly stiff-riding. The F Sport also comes with special seats that have more bolstering but are just as soft and comfortable as the ones in a standard NX. The seat heating and ventilation in our test NX were fast-acting, and the rear seats offered better than average sculpting and support.

Most of the climate control features are readily accessible and easy to use. The three-zone climate system did a good job of maintaining a set temperature, but we thought the center vents were too low to be particularly effective on a warm day. Interior noise levels are relatively low, and while we noticed little to no wind noise, we did hear more tire hum than we expected.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The NX's interior is a mix of traditional Lexus' superb attention to detail as well as some puzzling and sometimes frustrating design choices. The sharp-looking 14-inch touchscreen display is a highlight thanks to its clean graphics and quick responses.

But the shift lever adopts the unconventional shift pattern used in the Toyota Prius, which had us occasionally selecting neutral when we thought we had drive. Another frustration: the unmarked buttons on the steering wheel. Lexus has cleverly made them multifunctional, but their functions are only shown in the head-up display and require too much focus to perform simple tasks.

The driving position in the NX is easy to tailor to suit a wide variety of body types, and while the rear seating area lacks the generous legroom found in the BMW X3 and Acura RDX, there's enough space for most adults to be reasonably comfortable. Another benefit of the large center display is the crystal-clear backup camera and, if so equipped, the surround-view camera system. It makes maneuvering the NX in tight confines a snap.

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? Our test vehicle was equipped with the optional, eye-catching 14-inch unit. Crisp, easy-to-read graphics and quick responses are appreciated, but the somewhat confusing menus structure could use some refinement. Our test vehicle was also equipped with the 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Enormously powerful with excellent clarity, it's well worth the upgrade if you have a little extra in your budget.

Wireless smartphone connectivity is standard but, strangely enough, navigation is not. After the free trial expires, Lexus charges a fee (every two years at the time of writing) to continue the cloud-based service. The NX's voice controls were slightly underwhelming, mostly due to their slow response times, even though you can do everything from changing the radio station to turning on the wipers.

The NX comes standard with Lexus' Safety System+ 3.0, which includes pretty much every advanced driver aid you'd expect. Response times were on the conservative side but we encountered no false alarms.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The NX doesn't offer the same amount of cargo capacity as many of its rivals. With 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, the NX trails the BMW X3 (28.7 cubes) and the Acura RDX (31.1 cubes). That said, the load area for the NX is nice and wide, and the cargo area is free of wheelwell intrusions, making it easy to load wide, bulky objects. Power-folding rear seats are available.

The Lexus trails some rivals in interior storage, but the NX does offer a fair bit of usable and easily accessible room for personal items. We appreciate the large underarm center console storage and the hidden cubby under the optional wireless charging pad.

While we understand towing isn't usually near the top of the list when choosing a small luxury SUV, note that the NX 350 is rated to tow a somewhat meager 2,000 pounds when properly equipped. Competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and BMW X3 offer 3,500-pound and 4,400-pound towing limits, respectively.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

8/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates that the NX 350, which has standard all-wheel drive, gets 24 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's about average for this class of SUV. Over our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, we saw exactly 25 mpg and nearly repeated that number on another tank of fuel with a bit more city driving. That repeatability is somewhat harder to come by in this class, and we think the Lexus should be able to meet its EPA estimates most of the time. Like many other vehicles in the class, the NX 350 does require premium fuel.

Value

8/10

Is the NX a good value? Overall we think the NX 350 represents fairly good value for the money. The NX 350 not only comes standard with all-wheel drive (some similarly priced competitors do not), but it also includes an impressive array of advanced driver assist technologies. Impeccable interior build quality is another bonus.

Warranties are on par for the class, with the Lexus offering four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain coverage. Roadside assistance is offered at four years with unlimited mileage, but free maintenance is offered for only one year.

Wildcard

7.5/10

Upon first inspection, it can be difficult to discern what you're going to get from the NX 350. But the NX does little wrong and Lexus has chosen its compromises wisely. The lack of performance has been balanced out with a controlled ride and the engine's easy-to-drive nature, while the smaller interior and lower cargo capacity have been offset with high levels of comfort and solid everyday practicality.

There is no question about build quality and the general stress-free nature we've come to expect from the brand. While competitors offer SUVs that strongly favor luxury over sport, or vice versa, the NX manages to offer a little bit of both without any real detriment.

Which NX does Edmunds recommend?

Lexus hasn't released official information on the 2026 NX as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's model, the NX 350 with the Luxury package is the sweet spot in the NX's diverse lineup. Its turbocharged engine nicely balances power and efficiency, and the Luxury package gets you some worthy luxury features such as leather upholstery, a bigger center touchscreen and ventilated front seats.