2023 Lexus NX 350h SUV

　　

2023 Lexus NX 350h Review

byAlex NishimotoCorrespondent

　　Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.

　　Lexus fully redesigned its NX small luxury SUV for 2022. As part of that redesign, the previous NX 300h hybrid model was replaced with a new-and-improved NX 350h. Riding on the same new platform as the gas-powered NX 350 and NX 250, the NX 350h boasts a four-cylinder gas engine and dual-electric motor combo that's good for a combined 239 horsepower.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Lexus NX 350h 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$121/mo  for NX 350h Base

　　NX 350h Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $42,655 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $45,705 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $50,105 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Because it was just introduced last year, the NX 350h carries over with no significant changes for 2023. The second-generation NX features sleeker exterior styling and a lower center of gravity, which improves its driving experience. Inside, the entire cabin grows slightly, adding headroom and legroom for passengers and a few extra cubic feet in back for cargo. The most appreciable change, however, might be the updated infotainment system, which loses the previous model's clunky joystick controller in favor of a touchscreen.

　　If fuel economy is among your top priorities, the 2023 Lexus NX 350h won't disappoint. The NX hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined (41 city/37 highway), which is excellent for a small SUV. That efficiency doesn't come at the price of lackluster performance either. Lexus estimates the NX 350h can scoot to 60 mph in a respectable 7.2 seconds.

　　As a conventional hybrid, the NX 350h faces little direct competition. Most other premium small SUVs in the class offer mild hybrid options with less electrical assistance or plug-in hybrid variants, which are a good deal more expensive. It's not perfect, but it's a worthy choice if you're looking for a luxurious and fuel-efficient small crossover.

　　

Which NX 350h does zzdcar recommend?

Only one trim level is offered for the NX 350h, but there are many stand-alone options and packages available to tailor your hybrid SUV to your needs. We suggest opting for the Premium package for the extra luxury features it adds, including heated and ventilated front seats, a hands-free tailgate, sunroof, and front and rear parking sensors.

　　

Lexus NX 350h models

The 2023 NX 350h is available in a single trim level. (Lexus offers a sport-tuned F Sport Handling trim on the other NX models but not here.) Power comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain that combine to produce 239 horsepower. All-wheel drive is standard. Standard and optional feature highlights include:

　　NX 350h

　　Comes well equipped with:

　　18-inch alloy wheels Roof rails LED headlights Heated, auto-dimming side mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Dual-zone automatic climate control Synthetic leather upholstery (Lexus' NuLuxe) Power-adjustable, heated front seats Tech features include:

　　9.8-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both with wireless connectivity) Voice control system 10-speaker audio systemStandard driver assist features include:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Lexus and the car in front. Can also react to curves in the road) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Evasive steering assistance (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) Intersection turn assist (warns you of an impending collision during a left turn and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Automatic high beamsThere are multiple options to personalize the NX 350h to your liking. Highlights include:

　　Premium package Heated and ventilated front seats Driver's seat memory settings Sunroof Hands-free liftgate Power-adjustable steering wheel Front and rear parking sensors Rain-sensing windshield wipers Luxury package includes all Premium package features, plus: Leather upholstery Open-pore wood trim Ambient cabin lighting Head-up display 14-inch touchscreen display Connected navigation system Upgraded voice control system (with "Hey, Lexus" wake phrase and natural voice recognition) More than a dozen NX stand-alone options are also available, including:

　　20-inch wheels Panoramic sunroof Tow package (with up to 2,000 pounds of towing capacity) Upgraded headlights Head-up display Heated rear seats Heated steering wheel 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system Wireless charging pad Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the NX 350h and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Lexus Digital Key (turns your smartphone into the vehicle's key)

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