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, the 2026 Lexus NX embodies Lexus' most attractive virtues. As long as you don't need a compact SUV with class-leading passenger or cargo room, the NX is a strong pick thanks to its value statement and long list of strengths.Read full review

Other years for sale

8 Colors
11 Trims
2 Packages

Build & Price Lexus.com

Lexus NX for Sale

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

9/10/2025

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

6.8

out of 10

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

Driving experience

6.5/10

How does the Lexus NX drive?
The F Sport version we tested 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 but did not hamper ride quality. It felt taut and secure without being overly stiff-riding.

Visibility is aided by a crystal-clear backup camera and, if so equipped, a surround-view camera system. It makes maneuvering the NX in tight confines a snap. The NX's standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 also pretty much includes every advanced driver aid you'd expect. Response times were on the conservative side but we encountered no false alarms.

Comfort

6.2/10

How comfortable is the Lexus NX? The NX's interior is a mix of traditional Lexus' superb attention to detail and some frustrating design choices. The shift lever 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 evident by looking at the head-up display or instrument panel. As a result, they require too much focus to perform simple tasks.

At least most of the climate control features are readily accessible and easy to use, and three-zone climate system did a good job of maintaining a set temperature. The central vents are too low, though. Interior noise levels are relatively low, and while we noticed little to no wind noise, we did hear more tire hum than we expected.

The driving position in the NX is easy to tailor to suit a wide variety of body types (our F Sport's special sport seats were also very good), and while the rear seating area lacks the generous legroom found in some rivals, there's enough space for most adults to be reasonably comfortable. Somewhat small rear door openings are the main impediment to installing a car seat.

In-cabin tech

9.1/10

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. A navigation system is standard, but it's cloud-based and requires an active subscription to use.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard, as are six USB ports. A wireless charging pad is optional on all grades, and phone-as-a-key functionality is available (it also requires a subscription).

Storage & cargo

6.9/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Lexus NX's cargo area can hold considerably more stuff than its modest published cargo volume would suggest. (Lexus uses a more conservative measurement standard than other manufacturers.) It's actually among the class-best, with a wide loading area that's free of wheelwell intrusions, making it easy to load wide, bulky objects

Interior storage trails some of its rivals, 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 a priority in this segment, the NX 350 is only rated to tow a meager 2,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Value

7.6/10

Is the Lexus NX a good value?
Overall we feel the NX 350 represents fairly good value for 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 above average for the class, with the Lexus offering four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and six-year/70,000-mile powertrain coverage. Free maintenance is offered for one year.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

MPG

5/10

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.

Note that three other powertrains are available, including a traditional and plug-in hybrid, and all of them get better fuel economy,

X factor

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 is 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.

2026 Lexus NX trim level differences

[Editor's note: The following unofficial information is based on last year's NX. We expect the 2026 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Lexus NX is a compact luxury SUV that is offered in four main versions: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h and NX 450h+. This lineup can seem a little confusing at first, but in most cases, the only difference is the engine. The NX 250 is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four making 203 horsepower. It is the only NX available with front-wheel drive; the rest are exclusively all-wheel-drive. The NX 350 employs a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder that generates 275 horsepower. Despite having a similar model designation, the NX 350h uses a version of the same 2.5-liter engine from the 250, but here it gets hybrid assistance and a total system output of 240 horsepower. In the NX 450h+, the 2.5-liter is joined by more powerful electric motors and a larger battery pack enabling 304 hp and an EPA-estimated 37 miles of electric range. The non-hybrid NXs use an eight-speed automatic transmission. Hybrid models have a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Which NX trim 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.