2025 Lexus NX Review
byMark TakahashiCorrespondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
11/27/2023
Overview
The 2025 Lexus NX is a compact entry-level luxury SUV, filling the space between the smaller UX and the larger RX in the automaker's lineup. The NX has four distinct models, starting with the NX 250 and progressing to the more powerful NX 350, the hybrid NX 350h and the plug-in hybrid NX 450h+. While the NX is not as exciting to drive as other SUVs in the class, it holds a lot of appeal if you value comfort and Lexus' reputation for reliability. It was last redesigned in 2022, and we don't expect any major changes for 2025.
zzdcar spotlight: Efficient and dependable
The NX 450h+ is one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs in its class, offering up to 37 miles of electric-only range and an estimate of 36 mpg combined when the battery is depleted. The more affordable 350h hybrid is equally impressive at 39 mpg combined, and the gasoline-only NX models that run between 24 and 28 mpg combined are also commendable. European rivals have been catching up in recent years, but Lexus has been in the hybrid game for two decades.
Competitors to consider
There are few direct rivals to the Lexus NX if your priority is efficiency. The Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 both offer a plug-in hybrid model with strong fuel economy figures, and they're both more engaging to drive. The Lexus, though, wins on price by several thousand dollars. The gasoline-only NX models are also more efficient than class leaders, but choices such as the Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Acura RDX are more luxurious and benefit from noticeably sharper performance.
zzdcar says
The Lexus NX is a solid pick for those seeking an economical and reasonably luxurious SUV. But beyond efficiency and comfort, it doesn't distinguish itself from the rest of the class, and its rivals tend to be more enjoyable to drive and offer more interior refinement.