Yahoo Autos 2023 Lexus NX Review: You'll want the hybrids
Pros: Hybrid and PHEV are efficient and fun; sharp styling; lots of standard tech
Cons: Some of that tech is frustrating to use (especially the nonsensical HUD); less back seat space than some rivals
The 2023 Lexus NX came to us as an all-new crossover last year, and what made it good then is still true today. There are four different powertrain options — no shortage of choices — and the two hybrid options are easily our pick of the bunch. The more budget-friendly choice is the 350h, which is a regular hybrid, but the 450h+ PHEV adds an extra punch of performance with more power and an impressive 37 miles of all-electric range. Granted, the 450h+ is more expensive, but you’re getting a lot of capability for the cost and you'll definitely be saving money on gas.
Lexus lets us down a bit with some irksome interior technology, including the latest Lexus infotainment system and the unusual reliance on the available head-up display to control various functions. The NX shouldn’t be your top pick in this compact luxury crossover segment if maximum utility is necessary, either — if you need a bigger Lexus, the RX will do the trick. Neither is the NX toward the top of the list when it comes to driving fun. The F Sport Handling models amp things up a bit with improved performance, but never cross the threshold into being a performance-oriented SUV like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio or BMW X3 (even just the Acura RDX will provide more engagement). Efficiency and a desire for Lexus-style luxury — which hopefully means reliability in the long term — are the two biggest reasons to put the NX at the top of your list
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it's like to drive | Pricing & Features | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What's new for 2023?
The NX was completely new for 2022, and there are no notable changes made to the lineup for 2023. You can read about the redesigned 2022 model here.
What are the Lexus NX’s interior and in-car technology like?
While it may be difficult to tell the second-generation NX apart from its predecessor from a quick glance at the exterior, the same cannot be said of the cabin. The NX sports a redesigned interior bereft of the silly old touchpad infotainment interface Lexus committed to when this very model was introduced way back in 2014. A new touchscreen (yes, touchscreen) unit sits atop a center stack that no longer juts into the front passenger space. Instead, it sits over a concave center console that houses a new, Prius-inspired gear selector. The basic layout shares virtually nothing with the mainstream Toyota RAV4 and the materials used are appropriate for a Lexus. That said, we could do without the silly electronic door handles.
While the redesigned cabin helps the otherwise-identical-looking NX from coming off as completely stale, the biggest upgrades are technological, not aesthetic. The new infotainment system is powered by a standard 9.8-inch screen with dedicated physical climate control toggles or an optional 14-inch unit that incorporates a dedicated blend of touch-sensitive and physical comfort controls blended into the screen’s lower bezel. No matter which you choose, you get a physical volume knob. This represents a vast improvement over that found in the previous NX (and basically every other Lexus) but lacks split-screen functionality and some other basic items, like a dedicated home screen. Going between the native Lexus functions like radio or navigation, and the standard wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity screens is a constant source of tap-tap-tapping frustration.
The infotainment screen is fitted to a panel that blends into the instrument display, which itself features a 7-inch screen. Sixty-four-color ambient lighting is available, along with wireless charging and the bizarre 10-inch head-up display (pictured above right) that's controlled by unmarked buttons on the steering wheel. It's weird and difficult to use. There's also standard integrated music streaming services such as Apple Music, a digital phone key, user profiles for car settings, a digital rearview mirror, plus an AI assistant that responds to natural speech commands.
How big is the Lexus NX?
The Lexus NX fits into the compact luxury SUV segment. Populated by the likes of the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Acura RDX and Genesis GV70, this class seems to grow larger every year — both in terms of the size of its constituents and the sheer quantity available. The NX itself gained an additional 5 cubic feet of cargo volume with its redesign but that did virtually nothing to improve its stature in a field where it remains one of the smallest entries, comparable to the likes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. In fact, although the NX’s exterior dimensions significantly exceed those of subcompacts like the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA, its interior dimensions are quite similar.
That said, we found that the cargo area is more useful than its modest 22-cubic-foot measurement would suggest. In our luggage test, we managed to fit our usual six pieces of baggage with room to spare. That includes the sizable under-floor storage bin found on every NX model (in fact, cargo space is equal regardless of powertrain), which not only provides enough space for a duffel bag or groceries, but is designed to thoughtfully store the cargo cover inside the car.
What are the NX’s fuel economy and performance specs?
The NX now comes with four available engines and is offered in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.
The new NX 250 (above, top left corner) has a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder. Paired with an eight-speed automatic, it produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet – just as that engine does in its platform relative, the Toyota RAV4. With front-wheel drive, this is rated at 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined. Opting for all-wheel drive only costs 1 mpg (both city and highway), for final figures of 25/32/28.
