Lexus NX (2014 – 2021) Review

Lexus NX (2014 – 2021) Verdict

High quality and impressively refined. Luxurious feel to interior. Usefully large boot. Cheaper entry-level model with 2WD. Relaxing to drive in traffic.

F Sport models get strange exhaust note symposer. More at home in the suburbs than on twisting A and B roads.

Reviews for Lexus NX (2014 – 2021)'s top 3 rivals

Porsche Macan

The best car of its type to drive hands down, plush-feeling interior, great engines and a fabulous automatic...

Volvo XC90

Incredibly refined and quiet on the move, high quality cabin with room for seven, well equipped as standard.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Very fashionable and desirable. Sleek looks. High-quality interior. Available as a five-door or three-door...

Lexus NX (2014 – 2021) handling and engines

• Engines range from 200t to 300h
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 27–47 mpg

As with other Lexus models there is no diesel available in the NX - instead there's the choice of the NX 300h hybrid or the petrol NX 200t which arrives in March 2015. The hybrid model is the mst popular and it's the same system that's used in the Lexus IS and RAV-4.

This means a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine alongside an electric motor which combined provide 197PS. That's less than the IS 300h that has 223PS and the NX is around a second slower when accelerating from 0-62mph, taking 9.3 seconds. Yet thanks to 270Nm of torque from the electric motor, which is available from a standstill, the NX 300h pulls effortlessly and keenly away.

Lexus has fine-tuned the hybrid system in the NX to deliver better response and make it better on long inclines. There's a new kick-down function for quicker overtaking using additional electric power while engine speed has been increased relative to the accelerator in order to create the feeling of a downshift.

The idea is to give a more natural feeling of acceleration but it's somewhat of a mixed bag. As with all Lexus hybrid models, the NX 300h has an epicyclic CVT gearbox and it's this that proves the main sticking point. It's fine at low speeds but, left to its own devices, even moderate acceleration is met with lots of engine noise at a continuous pitch which detracts from the sense of refinement.

Unless you use the paddles to hold the lower ratios, it means overtaking isn't as relaxed or as effortless as in a diesel. It could be forgiven if the performance was strong, as with the GS 450h, but it feels like it lacks grunt from around 50mph which is strange given the torque that should be available from both the petrol engine and the electric motor.

Things are even stranger on the F Sport version. This is the one to go for in terms of looks, plus it gets a different suspension set-up but it also adds a strange artificial exhaust noise.

The idea is to make it feel sporty. These kinds of exhaust sound symposers are nothing new; the likes of the Ford Focus ST and Porsche 911 have them, but it seems odd that the NX 300h - a car that's so refined - has such a set-up. Not only that but the noise quickly becomes tiring. Worse still, the exhaust noise bears no relation to the engine sound, so when accelerating you get two competing sounds. Happily there is a switch to turn it off.

On the plus side the NX boasts incredibly low emissions at just 121g/km for the AWD models with official economy of 54.3mpg. There's an entry-level S model that comes as a front-wheel drive only, and is even more economical with a claimed 56.5mpg and CO2 of 116g/km.

The AWD models come with a system which Lexus calls E-Four. Like the RX400h and 450h, this uses an extra electric motor to drive the rear wheels while the front wheels run from the hybrid system. It's an on-demand system so only kicks in when needs, such as if there's a loss of traction, otherwise the NX 300h runs in front-wheel drive to save fuel.

Where the Lexus impresses is with its ride quality. It's incredibly quiet and refined over rough roads with no vibration coming into the cabin. Body control is very good too with very little pitch or roll which means it feels safe and composed through corners. The steering is somewhat artificial but the NX 300h is relaxing to drive albeit it not especially involving.

Average fuel economy of 42.0 mpg was achieved on a run in a Lexus NX300h F Sport from Broadway, Worcestershie to Weybridge, Surrey. About 4mpg short of the same engine and drivetrain in the Lexus GS300h. Happily, if this car was fitted with the symposer, I couldn't find it. As mentioned, acceleration is sluggish and noisy if the CVT is left to its own devices. Far better to use the paddles to 'downshift' and hold the relevant ratios. The radar cruise control with autonomous braking worked well. Important to note that when using the satnav, you have to go to 'Dest' page 2 in order to input a full 7 digit UK postcode.

The truth about the Lexus NX300h came driving it on errands a couple of days later. It is not "rewarding" pushed to its limits cross-country over a winding A or B road. Instead, it's "relaxing" driven on the kind of pot-holed, speed-humped, congested suburban roads most of us have to live with. There, it's in its element. A haven of electrically motorised calm. And this is also where it's at its most efficient, delivering 44mpg. So goodbye all those NOx belching diesel engined battlewagons on the Surrey school run. Hello, sweet-natured Lexus NX300h. And, though the children carried in them to class may never learn to walk more than 100 metres, at least they won't be poisoned by exhaust fumes.

Lexus NX (2014 – 2021) interior

• Boot space is 475–1545 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

The interior of the NX follows the same pattern as the IS with a high quality feel and a sleek design. It's fairly button heavy and some elements do look a touch dated - the old school digital display for the air conditioning for example - but overall it feels like a luxury vehicle.

The leather finish on top models covers the dash and door tops and has a lovely soft feel to it while the plastics that are used feel solid. Other highlights are the thick metal surround on the air vents and central console plus the neat analogue clock. Like the IS it has the feel of a high-end stereo system.

As you'd expect from a Lexus, refinement is excellent with a superbly insulated cabin and hardly any wind or road noise. It's a shame that the excessive engine noise from acceleration ruins things as that aside, this is one of the most refined SUVs around. There's an real attention to detail and precision to everything so while it may not have the wow factor, there is no denying the superb quality.

There's plenty of space too - this is, after all, designed as a family vehicle. Up front it's spacious while those in the back get well catered for with plenty of headroom and comfortable legroom. The boot is a good size and user-friendly with a wide opening while top models get an electrically opening tailgate, although like many it can be frustratingly slow.

Overall boot capacity is 475 litres although that's some way behind an Audi Q5 at 540 litres. But on the plus side, all NX models come with a space saver spare wheel as standard, the competition all make you pay for this as an optional extra or don't offer it at all.

There are plenty of advanced systems on the NX including a wireless charging tray on top models. This sits in the cubby that doubles as an armrest between the front seats and lets you charge your smartphone by simply placing it in the tray. There's no need for wires.

The second interesting feature is a head-up display, something we first saw on BMW models. This projects speed data onto the windscreen along with navigation information if you want. It works very well with a clear and sharp display, plus it means you can focus more on the road than looking at your instrument dials.

Thankfully Lexus has also revised its Remote Touch Interface control, ditching the awkward mouse controller for a much slicker touchpad. It's much easier to use on the move and comes with the optional Lexus Premium Navigation which is standard on Premier models.

Standard equipment:

NX 300h S models come with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights, adaptive cruise control, pre-crash safety system, reversing camera, dual zone climate control, Lexus Media Display with remote dial controller, DAB, electric folding door mirrors, hill-start assist, eight airbags, USB, remote double door locking and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management.

SE adds all-wheel drive, integrated roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/60 R18 tyres, rain-sensing wipers and heated front seats.

Luxury comes with LED fog lights with cornering function, rear privacy glass, heated and electrically adjustable leather front seats, parking sensors, Smart Entry and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Premier trim has 18-inch bespoke alloys with 235/60 R18 tyres, LED high-beam headlights, auto-dimming door mirrors, driver's seat position memory, Mark Levinson audio system, Card key, Lexus Premium Navigation with Remote Touch Interface touch pad, 360 degree panoramic view, lane keep assist, head-up display, heated steering wheel and blind spot monitor.

F Sport gains two-tone finish 18-inch alloys with 235/60 R18 tyres, F Sport heated electric leather front sports seats with lumbar support, F Sport suspension and performance dampers, electric steering column adjust, powered tailgate and a wireless smartphone charger.

Lexus NX (2014 – 2021) models and specs

Currently on sale

On sale until January 2020

On sale until July 2019

On sale until April 2017