2023 Lexus NX 350 F Sport Is a Pleasant Crossover That Will Last Forever

The 2023 Lexus NX is the main entry point to the Lexus brand, specifically when it comes to the company's long lineup of SUVs and crossovers. Positioned towards the cheaper end of the spectrum, it aims across the segment by offering four different engine options, including two hybrid variants.

The 350 you see here is the mid-range option, powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four. It gets all-wheel-drive as standard, a step up from the base NX 250, which leaves AWD as an option.

The NX 350 tester we had also came with the F Sport package, which includes a 14-inch touchscreen display, two-mode adaptive suspension, Lexus' Intelligent Assistant, 20-inch gloss black wheels, more seat bolstering, a telescoping steering wheel, aluminum interior trim, a black headliner, and blacked out trim along the exterior.

The most exciting version, the NX 450h+, gets the 302-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain from the RAV4 Prime. It's able to sprint to 60 in just 5.6 seconds.

The Lexus NX was given a redesign for the 2022 model year, including new looks, refreshed powertrains, and a handful of other significant items.

There are two new engine options and a totally revamped interior. The center point of the new cabin is a modern touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

These new features have been carried into the 2023 model year without any changes.

The NX 350 is a perfectly acceptable car for those looking to stand out amongst a sea of less striking crossover designs. A distinctive front end matched with this Ultrasonic Blue Mica paint and—in the case of this F Sport model—blacked-out trim means an eye-catching style you won't miss.

Thanks to a high center of gravity and a relatively short wheelbase, the NX 350 F Sport doesn't have the pillow-perfect ride we expect from Lexus's best sedans and coupes. But it's still perfectly acceptable for daily usage, so long as you keep the adaptive suspension in "normal" mode.

The cabin is a huge step up from the last generation of Lexus interiors, with most of the controls now found in a massive touchscreen. It's easy to read and use, so long as you keep Apple CarPlay open at all times.

• Distinctive, interesting design
• Modern interior with a good touchscreen and supportive seats
• Pleasant powertrain with smooth-shifting transmission

• The ride is less comfortable than we'd like
• Native infotainment system is tough to navigate
• Doesn't handle as well as competitors

The NX 350's turbocharged inline-four pumps out sufficient grunt for a vehicle in this segment. The factory-rated 275 hp goes to an eight-speed transmission and all four wheels, allowing for a 6.6-second 0-60 time, as tested by our colleagues at Car and Driver.

On the road, acceleration is satisfying enough to the point where you won't ever have to worry about catching up to merge onto a highway or skirt through slower traffic in a pinch. While the eight-speed isn't dual-clutch quick, the paddle shifters respond well enough to demands.

The 2023 Lexus NX 350 F Sport AWD has many unique features that set it apart, including a distinctive front-end design, 20-inch wheels, and blacked-out trim. The blue paint pops out amongst a sea of gray, while sleek, angry-looking headlights illuminate the road ahead.

Inside, you'll find great-looking seats with good comfort and plenty of lateral support. There's also a revamped interior with modern appointments, like a giant 14-inch touchscreen and a fully digital gauge cluster. We're big fans of the leg room and leather quality.

The 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four is able to produce an EPA-rated 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, for a combined fuel economy rating of 25 mpg.

That's about on par for this segment, and we saw about the same numbers even with multiple runs to redline during acceleration tests.

When test driving the NX 350, be sure to make sure you like how the car looks. Its design isn't for everyone, and you'll have to see it every time you walk into your garage and leave work.

Also, be sure to see whether you're alright with how the NX rides. With the optional F Sport package it isn't exactly comfortable, though depending on your tolerance levels it's certainly bearable.

If you plan to have people in the back seat often, make sure there's enough room back there. Space can be tight depending on the front occupants' seating positions.

The 2023 Lexus NX 350 F Sport AWD starts at $47,465, plus a $1150 destination fee. Our tester also has a cold weather package, upgraded headlights, a Mark Levinson sound system, a moonroof, and a smart phone convenience package, which comes with wireless charging (a must if you're using wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto). The grand total? $56,255.

The NX 350's interior is a lovely place to spend time, thanks in part to a modern dashboard, great-quality materials, supportive seats, and plenty of space.

You'll be able to find a seating position that suits you regardless of your body type. Adjustable lumbar support means you can bang out long commutes and road trips in comfort.

The dashboard of the NX 350 is occupied by a vast 14-inch touchscreen that controls the car's infotainment system and climate controls. The built-in system is a bit busy, but easy to operate once you get used to it. Thankfully wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make navigation and music an easy affair.

The Lexus NX 350's gauge cluster is fully digital, with a screen displaying rpm, speed, and fuel economy, time, outside temperature, miles remaining, safety systems, and more. On the left side of the screen sits a coolant temperature gauge, while the right side shows fuel level. It's easy to read and doesn't wash out in sunlight.

Option the F Sport trim and you're treated to a slick two-tone red and black seat. There are electric adjustments for seat back angle, distance to the steering wheel, and lumbar. We had no complaints resting in this seat over hours of drive time, with the adjustable lumbar coming in handy to keep us comfortable.

The space between the driver and front passenger holds the gear selector, two cup holders, a handful of buttons, and an armrest with space for storage underneath.

The cup holders are big enough for any modern Starbucks cup, while the shifter is a pleasure to use, if a bit confusing at first.

Like the driver's seat, the passenger seat is a red and black two-tone affair with sufficient support and bolstering, along with a handful of electronic adjustments. It didn't illicit any complaints from passengers we had in the car, so it's safe to assume it was just as comfortable as the driver's seat.

The high ride height makes the NX 350 a great choice for those who deal with rough terrain often. But those 20-inch wheels and the overly stiff suspension mean it won't be as comfortable as it likely can be.

We'd keep the adaptive suspension in Normal, unless you regularly come upon glass-smooth tarmac on your commute.

The NX 350 F Sport gets the most aggressive version of this model's front end, with thin, distinctive headlights and a blacked-out version of the Lexus corporate grille design. While some might not be fans of the design, it is, at minimum, extremely recognizable and easy to spot in a crowd.

The NX 350's profile is vastly similar to most crossovers on the market, though there are a few small changes to help it stand out. The sloping roof at the rear looks sleek, while the flowing front end blends effortlessly into the windshield area. The big wheels do a lot to help proportions overall.

The back of the NX 350 F Sport isn't nearly as memorable, but a singular light bar and thin taillights make the car look handsome and modern. The splash of silver on the lower portion of the bumper is a nice touch. And while the rear wiper isn't as visually appealing, we're glad it's there.

The Lexus NX 350 F Sport comes standard with 20-inch alloy wheels finished in black, complementing the rest of the black trim found on the exterior.

If we were building our own NX 350, we'd likely skip the F Sport package, as you get smaller wheels and a passive suspension that's likely less stiff. While we like the style, we like comfort even more, at least in this application.

The 275-hp 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four under the hood of the NX 350 F Sport is perfectly suitable for this application, just unexciting. Torque comes on low in the rev range, delivering sufficient grunt throughout the rev range. We'd avoid getting too close to redline, as the motor tends to become buzzy and cheap-sounding over 5000 rpm.

In addition to the fast-responding infotainment system and digital gauge cluster, the NX 350 we tested also had the smartphone convenience package, which comes with a wireless phone charger. It's a great piece of tech that works great, especially if you use it in conjunction with wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. But like most car-based wireless chargers, it's slow to transfer power and made my phone very hot.

If you're looking for a commuter car that you know you're going to keep for a long time, it's hard to overlook the NX 350. A comfortable interior, distinctive looks, a good stereo, and nice seats mean it's a great place to spend lots of time.

And because Lexus cars are built by Toyota, you know the NX 350 will last hundreds of thousands of miles with nothing more than simple scheduled maintenance costs. That's where the real value lies, of course, because you're not just paying for the driving experience, you're paying for the dependability.