2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD - Bottom Line Review

SPINDLED LUXE CUTE UTE SELLS: Distinctiveness uncommonly appeals to to the discerning senses. That characteristic alone couldn't possibly explain the popularity of the Lexus NX series compact crossover utility vehicles. Despite straining the concept of Cute Ute it has bristled with luxury, quality and a sense of suave.

PLUG INTO SECOND GEN NX:  Embarking on a second generation as the Lexus line's second most vital breadwinner the controversial trademark spindle grille would remain a force to be reckoned with. However, another powerful force now influences the latest Nimble Crossover. Potent plug-in battery electric gas propulsion makes a Lexus vehicle debut in the redesigned 2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD hybrid.

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WHAT: 2026 Lexus NX 350h Hybrid AWD , two row, compact hybrid crossover sport utility vehicle. "NX" = "Nimble X for Crossover". This second generation AZ20 NX follow-up to the successful AZ10 is constructed on the modular TNGA GA-K platform. The XA50 RAV4 Hybrid is the Toyota analogue.

Standard Hybrid Synergy Drive G4 Propulsion:

• 2487 cc Atkinson cycle, dual VVT-i DOHC 24V start-stop idle I-4 cylinder A25A-FXS gasoline engine: 176 hp (+8 hp)/ 163 lb-ft @ 6000 r.p.m. (+800 r.p.m.)
• PSM MG2 x 134 hp (100 kW), 153 lb-ft
• PSM MG3 x 40 hp (30 kW), 62 lb-ft (E-Four G2 AWD only, rear axle)
• Li-Ion traction 259V battery, 70 cells, 4.3 Ah, 1.2 kWh
• parallel shaft gearset coupled Continuously Variable Transaxle, 8 steps

Standard Gas Battery Electric Hybrid Rated Power:

• 225 Net Hybrid Horsepower (153 kW), 149 lb-ft @ 5200 r.p.m.
  • +17 hp, + 14 lb-ft vs. XV70 Camry Hybrid
  • optional - 232 Net Hybrid Horsepower (171 kW), with E-Four G2 All-wheel drive (as tested)

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: Riding on the design coattails of the larger AL20 Mk. 4 R[adiant] X[crossover], the AZ20 second generation Lexus N[imble] X[crossover] remained faithful to the the parabolic design. Most notably, when it launched in MY 2022, the Lexus NX swapped the AZ10 first generation's lower rising body crease for a smoother barrel shaped fuselage, with beltline crease, while retaining the full corporate spindle grille, adopting bolder front corner folds, creased hood, fenders and flared rear quarter panels, and a more defined cinched creased back end.

The "L" for Lexus theme is abound with inboard corner folds, wrap-around, lateral upward outboard directional lights, spanned in the rear by an LED lightbar, and the door mount wing mirror chrome character line with directionals.

Thoroughly Darkened F-Sport: Piano black lattice insert full nose depth spindle grille & corner fangs; Window & lighting frames darkened; Piano gloss black accenting and wheels; Body colored front& rear fascia, muscular wheel arches and lower body skirts; Satin metallic trimmed lower air dam, rear lower diffuser

WHY: Popular re-designed prestige crossover is first Lexus crossing over to available cord.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since early Winter 2021

WHERE: Lexus new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Kyushu Region, Miyata, Fukuoka Japan

WHERE TO: dual traction electric motor all-wheel drive, e-varies front/ rear traction from nominal 100/0% to maximum 20/80%, ABS torque vectoring; 8"-inches clearance = Inclement weather beater & dirt road, light mud treader; -1 No Off-Road or torque split lock modes

HOW ROADWORTHY: Lexus' Synergy Hybrid powertrain might not have be the snappiest or smoothest, but it's tried and true. On paper the 2026 NX 350h AWD, occupies the sweet power spot for the model line. While it is 63 horses shy and offers no of the continuous all-electric driving, it does without the NX 450h PHEV's extra 1/4 ton mass.

The NX 350h can keep up with traffic, but with a bit of ambivalence. In the event of greater urgency, the continuously variable transaxle is typically playing catch-up with the engine spin. As such, a bunch of power seems lost in translation. Mashing the throttle yields an unhurried arrival of brisk momentum, almost unnecessary once obtained. That and the thrashing powerplant noises make the observed fuel consumption slightly disappointing.

The tested 2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD F-Sport (for Fuji test track) trim signified performance package beyond the mere visual cues. The delta in drive mode variably damping between normal and sport drive modes is nuanced. Taut springs certainly reduce chassis roll. And steering weighting does become heavier. However, there is no love lost between 20" inch wheels bound by low profile tires and upper midwest broken pavement. Plus, as with other Lexi, little steering feedback dulls turn-in.

While the NX 350h makes the regenerative motor to physical brake slowing relatively natural, the pedal is a slightly mushy numb affair. What this luxury compact ute excels at, though, is isolating wind and road noise and resisting cross wind buffeting.

HOW FAR: 34 combined miles per gallon rated, 493 miles maximum range

• EV Mode range ≈ limited to speeds below 30 m.p.h. (under permissible conditions)

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: For some persepctive, the 106 inch wheelbase is close to what the second generation XU30 Lexus RX had. Along with more than 36 inches 2nd Row legroom the 2026 Lexus NX 350h is plenty roomy among 4.5 occupant compact crossovers.

• -1 snug sloped 2nd Row headroom

HOW USEFUL: √ 23 cubic foot expanding cargo bay, with modest subfloor storage; √ Power liftgate; √ Power folding 60/40% split 2nd Row seating; √ 2nd Row 60/40% split tilting seatbacks; √ Cup holders x 4, Bottle holders (doors) x 4

• +1 Deep, felt lined center armrest bin w/ power, connectivity + reciprocal lateral hinged lid; 2nd Row center armrest storage; Large glovebox; Aft 1st Row center console climate registers & USB-C power ports
• +/- Tight lower center stack bin covered by inductive charging sliding lid
• -1 Glovebox door fit uneven, Folding frame mesh cargo privacy shade slightly flimsy

HOW SAFE: √ 10 airbags; √ IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus ; √ Rear camera; √ STANDARD Lexus Safety System 3.0 Plus = Pedestrian & cyclist detection braking; Forward collision avoidance braking; Left turn oncoming traffic warning, braking; Oncoming traffic warning; Lane Departure Warning, Keep Assist, Trace; Full adaptive cruise control w/ variable curve speed reduction, Safe Exit Assist, traffic side warning (no lockout); Automatic High beam LED headlamps

• View Outwards: +1 FORE sloping hood, door mount wing mirrors; -1 SIDE looming over shoulder blindspots; +/- REAR: short backlight mitigated by digital rearview mirror.

Optional (included on tester): Blind spot & Rear Cross-traffic warning, sonar front & rear park assist; Surround camera w/ fore and aft sonar audible park assist; Digital rear view mirror

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: About what is expected of a flagship Lexus makes its way into the second above entry level model in the brand's lineup. The 2026 Lexus NX 350h F-Sport exhibits tight seams, a rich glossy exterior finish and sound insulation. The replacement of center dashboard switches and dials with a soft touch control panel is space saving artful. Soft panel contrast stitching is genuinely premium.

√ Perforated two-tone NuLuxe Rows 1, 2 seating, heated & cooled Row 1; √ Shoulder bolster F-Sport front bucket seats; √ Power 10-way front seats, w/ 3 position memory driver's memory & exit seat & steering wheel retraction; √ Heated Leather power tilt, telescoping steering wheel with spoke integrated redundant controls; √ 2-Zone automatic climate control; √ Keyless entry, push button ignition; √ Full express power windows x 4; √ 2nd Row + cargo bay privacy window tint; √ Heated 2nd Row seating

• + 1 Generous steering wheel reach adjustment; Wide center armrest; Generous steering wheel reach adjustment; Adequate seat torso, lumbar support + cushioning; Adjacent front center console dual cupholders; NuLuxe seat covering = could fool almost anyone as leather
• -1 Narrow front seat cushions

Cool Gizmo(s): √ Lexus Interface 14.0" inch infotainment display bottom virtual climate controls overlay, twin rotary climate adjust knobs, with integrated temperature displays; √ 7.0" inch 3-D gauge cluster MFD w/ F-Sport G-Forces graph; √ 10.0" inch Heads Up Display includes dual function left media / right cruise controls, w/ forward vehicle into lane movement, navigation and road sign recognition display; √ Soft touch ventral exterior door handle, interior door button Digital Latch actuation; √ Digital rear view mirror; √ Center console bin driver & passenger mirror lateral open action

Details Done Right: √ Contrasting stitched seat & soft panel surfaces; √ Turned aluminum door accents; √ Center stack to console contrast saddle padding; √ Tight grained plastic panels; √ Precision rotating control dials; √ Soft close power windows; √ Cabin pillar & ceiling velour fabric; √ Dense pile carpeting, including 3rd Row outboard walls; √ Foot well & door panel 64 color ambient lighting;

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Simulated matte metallic accents

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ Lexus Interface center dashtop tablet 14.0" -inch portrait HD LCD capacitive touch infotainment screen; √ Adaptive voice command interaction & Bluetooth hands-free communications; √ GPS Cloud based Navigation w/ real time re-routing, Google POI, OTA updates; √ Lexus Interface wireless device apps = Apple Music, Amazon Music, Amazon Alexa, Doppler weather, Traffic Updates; √ Siri Eyes; √ USB-A x 1, USB-C x 3, 12V x 2.

Audibly Speaking: 400 watt, 10- speaker, 8-channel DSP Pioneer streaming audio, HD-Radio = Slightly brassy, limited soundstage array

• Lexus Human Machine Interface infotainment designed to be very voice interactive via "Hey Lexus" wake-up phrase hence more streamlined (vs. previous Lexus Enform architecture)
• Driver profiles x 5, personalized operation, comfort convenience & infotainment settings, portable (to other equipped Lexus Interface equipped vehicles)
• Driver digital key card (via wireless device app)
• -1 Lexus Media Display screen challenge to accurately tap (bring back a remote controller)
• -1 No audio selection switches outside media display, retains USB-A for wired connectivity

BY SUBSCRIPTION: √ Sirius XM satellite radio (3 months trial); √ Safety & remote connect (1 year trial); √ AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi (2GB trial)

HOW MUCH: $61,665 = 2025 Lexus NX 350h F-Sport AWD

WHAT'S MISSING: Greater driving input responsiveness; Physical kernel steering wheel spoke controls

ANY COMPETITION: None currently, as all other compact segment luxury hybrid crossover utility vehicles sold in the United States are plug-in petrol electric hybrid.