Name: Lexus NX (2021 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Lexus NX
Rating: 70.0

Summary

The Lexus NX is a mid-sized upmarket SUV positioned between the compact UX and slightly larger RX in the Lexus SUV family.

Now in its second generation, the NX is the first model available as a plug-in hybrid in the Lexus range. The NX line-up consists of the entry-level NX 350h regular hybrid models, which can travel around a mile just using its battery, and the range-topping NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, which the brand says can cover up to 47 miles on electric power before the petrol engine needs to kick in.

Rivalling other premium SUVs like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, the Lexus NX has been warmly received by members of the motoring media.

British reviewers have commended the NX for its comfortable and functional interior, which includes a generous specification of on-board technology as standard, along with a massively improved infotainment sytem. In addition, the battery range and low emissions of the NX 450h+ are particularly highly rated. Lexus is also known for the reliability of its models, and the brand is backing that up by offering the newest NX with a very generous ten-year warranty.

“Regardless of how good it is, however”, explains The Telegraph, “the plug-in hybrid only really makes sense if you finance it through a company – and there are equally good alternatives for a lot less money.” Many outlets agree with this sentiment, as the plug-in hybrid 450h costs over £10,000 more than the entry-level 350h hybrid models.

Carbuyer and Carwow also conclude that the 2.5-litre petrol engine found in all NX models is not very smooth and is loud under acceleration, while Parkers and Top Gear add that the SUV is not very exciting to drive overall, and considering its premium rivals, there is more fun to be found elsewhere.

As of March 2026, the Lexus NX holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 70%. It scores top marks for its low CO₂ emissions, while its safety rating and media review scores are also good. However, the Lexus new car warranty cover is only average, and the NX’s running costs are high.

NX highlights

Comfortable and refined interior
Plenty of on-board tech as standard
Intuitive infotainment
Ten-year warranty
Impressive PHEV battery range

NX lowlights

PHEV model is expensive
So-so performance
Noisy petrol engine
Comparatively poor towing capacity
14-inch infotainment console is not standard

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £44,430 on-road

Launched: Winter 2021/22
Last updated: N/A
Next update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Hybrid models	42 mpg	C
Plug-in hybrid models	267 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	136 g/km	C
Plug-in hybrid models	24 g/km	A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	44 miles	D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	36	D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£308	D
Year 2	£764	D
Year 3	£1,239	D
Year 4	£1,495	D
Year 5	£1,867	D
Overall	£5,673	D

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: March 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 83%
Child protection: 87%
Vulnerable road users: 83%
Safety assist: 91%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of March 2026, the Lexus NX has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of March 2026, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Lexus NX to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the NX, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Hybrid models	42 mpg	C
Plug-in hybrid models	267 mpg	A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Hybrid models	136 g/km	C
Plug-in hybrid models	24 g/km	A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	44 miles	D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	36	D

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£308	D
Year 2	£764	D
Year 3	£1,239	D
Year 4	£1,495	D
Year 5	£1,867	D
Overall	£5,673	D

The Lexus NX is pretty middling in costs to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The plug-in hybrid model looks amazingly cheap in terms of fuel consumption and road tax (CO₂ emissions), but this is largely because the EU/UK government lab test are useless at measuring plug-in hybrids. There is no real-world scenario where you will travel 270 miles on one gallon (4.5 litres) and a bit of electricity.