The all-new, second-generation Lexus NX opens the next chapter in Lexus design, electrified powertrains and advanced technologies – areas that are thoroughly explored in our first plug-in hybrid model, the Lexus NX 450h+. Selected UK motoring journalists were recently invited to test this eagerly anticipated new derivation on UK roads ahead of the official launch. The examples they experienced were pre-production and left-hand drive models. You can read what they said in our Lexus NX 450h+ review article below.
Lexus NX 450h+ review: Autocar
“As well as bringing the centre of gravity down by 20mm and increasing overall stiffness by 30% for improved dynamics, this new platform provides the NX with its first plug-in hybrid powertrain. The PHEV drivetrain remains subtly effective and impressively economical… [plus] a 0-62mph time of 6.3 seconds makes the NX 450h+ one of the fastest crossovers of its kind.
“Aside from the adoption of plug-in power, the new NX is most radically differentiated inside, where Lexus’s new ‘Tazuna’ design ethos has ushered in a new driver-centric cockpit layout. This is a thoroughly modern and tastefully engineered proposition, with its own distinct character… and impressive performance statistics.”
Lexus NX 450h+ review: Auto Express – 4/5
“Lexus has successfully identified where the new NX needed to improve. It’s efficient, refined, comfortable, practical, [and] relaxing to drive. [The NX 450h+ has] a sizeable battery for a mid-size plug-in SUV, placed under the floor of the car. It’s also key to unlocking some of the impressive figures the new NX boasts on paper.
“The NX’s exterior design is unmistakably the result of an evolutionary process, but once you get inside you see that this really is a radical departure from its predecessor. As ever, interior quality remains as plush as you’d expect of the badge. The new infotainment system that sits centrally is available with a 14-inch screen. It headlines a significantly de-cluttered driving environment, with the number of buttons reduced by almost half. It’s improvements like these that exemplify the new Lexus attitude.”
Lexus NX 450h+ review: CAR – 4/5
“In this PHEV model… there’s an 18.1kWh battery pack sitting under the floor. A full charge takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes using a home wall box, and… Lexus claims a range of 42 miles on mixed roads or up to 55 miles in urban conditions. It’ll do up to 83mph on electric power, too, making it more than just a temporary thing for towns. And the brand’s focus on refinement means it really is silent when the engine’s off.
“The cabin’s neat, too. It’s very driver-focused, with controls clustered tightly around the captain’s chair and the touchscreen angled towards it. Quality is top-notch and it’s nice that Lexus will offer a wide variety of colourful upholstery choices instead of the unrelenting seas of black you find in most rivals.”
Lexus NX 450h+ review: Motoring Research – 4/5
“Plug-in hybrids also offer big tax benefits over their ‘self-charging siblings, as they complete much of the official fuel-economy test in electric mode. In the NX’s case, CO2 emissions from 20g/km equate to a seven per cent BIK rate for company drivers.
“The switch between power sources is seamless, and the E-CVT gearbox offers the linear feel of, yes, a fully electric car. The Lexus is… a car you’ll appreciate over time, and on journeys – such as the daily commute – where convenience and comfort matter most.”
Lexus NX 450h+ review: Parkers – 4.1/5
“We can absolutely say that this is a big improvement over the car it replaces – it’s better to drive, higher-tech, but retains Lexus hallmarks like comfort and reliability, backed up by up to 10 years of warranty coverage.
“Of course, a family SUV can’t just be nice for the driver. The NX has plenty of room in its rear seats and a 545-litre boot. Material quality is peerless all around. This is a very nice place to sit. Running on electric can often display refinement issues – with no engine to drown out wind and road noise it becomes more prominent. That’s no issue with the NX, which remains impressively silent whether the engine’s off or on.”
Lexus NX 450h+ review: What Car – 4/5
“Is Lexus’s first plug-in hybrid a good one? The numbers would suggest so because it has an official electric range of more than 40 miles. When its battery is charged up, the Lexus NX plug-in hybrid operates just like a fully electric car. That means smooth, quiet and fairly nippy acceleration up to motorway speeds and beyond. When the battery runs flat, the 2.5-litre petrol engine fires into life.
“The NX’s cornering abilities are more than good enough. It does grip the road well and there’s not much body lean through corners. The steering is precise and the weighting is natural and consistent enough to give you confidence on a winding road. The driving position… is excellent, with comfortable electrically adjustable front seats fitted to all models.”
YesAuto – 81/100
“[The new NX is] even easier on the eye. Lexus’s trademark big grille and piercing headlights are joined by butch wheel arches and a new rear light bar. It’s undeniably a Lexus, but somehow sleeker this time around. There has been an even more dramatic overhaul inside, where the NX feels decidedly more upmarket and high-tech. The materials and switchgear look and feel great, and the extremely solid build is typical Lexus too.
“Lexus’s official figures say 43 miles of electric range is possible on a full charge and we managed 40. We also managed 45mpg when that battery had ‘gone’, thanks to Lexus’s hybrid wizardry keeping enough battery in reserve to ensure decent periods of electric movement. You’re able to lock the NX in EV mode, hold its battery for later or charge the battery using the engine on the go too.”
Top Gear – 6/10
“It ticks all the boxes at first glance – the styling has been sharpened up, but everything else is… a “smooth evolution”, as Lexus puts it. The… interior is decently plush. There’s a giant screen available, but… the NX’s real party piece is the new electronic door opening system – the handle has essentially been replaced with an electronic latch that springs the door open if you squeeze in the right place.
“The really clever bit is that Lexus has integrated this opening system with its blind spot warning set-up [so] the car will stop you from opening the door if there happens to be a cyclist, pedestrian, large bus or some such missile about to fill the space where your door is headed.
“How does it drive? It’s actually a very comfortable car, matching up well with the zero-emission capable powertrain.”
All information is correct at the time of publishing.
Fabulous , would hope at some convenient time to experience the PHEV Self charging combination to properly appreciate its benefits. Meanwhile perhaps you can outline if on a 80 mile round trip, it could use both the electric and ICE in synchronised way to achieve best fuel consumption? Is the power train combining both ICE and Electric motor together for maximum efficiency, range and reduced fuel consumption at all time? Perhaps some information to illustrate how it works, it may be helpful to increase my awareness.
Thanks for suggesting some videos, links etc. outlining the power train workings
Hello Evangelos,
You can refer to the following link for further details – https://www.lexus.co.uk/plug-in-hybrid/.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
Hi,
as Evangelos asks;
can you preferentially select either electric mode or hybrid mode when driving?
Or does hybrid mode start when the battery becomes depleted?
On a Lexus hybrid there is an EV button to drive under electric mode for a distance. Can one do this with the NX PHEV?
Thank you
Hello John,
Thank you for you question.
Yes, in the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid you can select EV mode to drive in pure electric mode.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
We’ve ordered the new nx phev 450 premium plus with the optional sunroof. Reading about the takuma range we noticed that it comes with a panoramic sunroof, which we enjoy in our jaguar fpace. Please explain whether the takuma panoramic roof stretches across all of the roof, or is the same size as the optional one , simply a sunroof
Hello Jens,
We have emailed you directly to clarify this.
Thanks.
Hello,
I have ordered a NX450H + with the premium plus package, why is the Mark Levinson sound system not available on this version but available with lower specifications?
Regards, Giuseppe Minelli.
Hello Giuseppe,
Thank you for contacting Lexus.
The Mark Levinson Audio System is only available on the NX 350h.
Please let us know if we can assist you further.
Thanks.
Thank you for your reply, I know it’s only available on the 350h, I asked WHY is not available on the 450h+
Regards, Giuseppe.
Hello Giuseppe,
Unfortunately, the Mark Levinson sound system cannot be fitted on the NX 450h+ due to technical reasons.
We understand that this is frustrating, and we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
Please let us know if we can assist you further.
Thanks.
I have been informed that my ordered 450h Takumi has a Mark Levinson audio system. This conflicts with your response to someone on 6/1/22, which said it can’t be fitted on this model for technical reasons. Please clarify.
Hello Bryan,
Thank you for contacting Lexus.
The Mark Levinson audio system cannot be fitted to the NX 450h+.
Please can you confirm who gave you this information?
Thanks.
I was led to believe, by Lexus Ipswich, that my ordered Takumi 450h+ would have a ML audio system.
Hello Bryan,
We are really sorry to hear about that, and we completely understand your frustration.
If you would like to raise your situation further, we would recommend contacting our Customer Relations team directly.
You can do so here – https://fal.cn/3hJ9G.
Thanks.
I ordered Lexus 450h+ on 21 September 2021 when can l exspect delivery
Hello Peter,
Thank you for your order.
Your Lexus Centre would be best placed to provide you with a date.
Thanks.
Hi,
How many miles will the NX 450h+ do on electric power and engine power combined with a full charge, and what mpg can you expect.
Thankyou.
Hello Shirley,
Thank you for contacting Lexus.
The large battery gives the NX 450h+ a range up to 40 miles in pure EV mode.
However, electric range can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including the accessories fitted, driving style, conditions, speed and vehicle load.
Once the battery runs out, the vehicle will operate as a normal hybrid – which can go in and out of EV model depending on where / how the vehicle is being driven.
The NX 450h+ has an mpg of 256.8 to 313.8.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
Hi,
I have bought a Lexus NX450H+ Takumi Pack, when ordered it I was told it will have automatic parking, however that function isn’t supported to UK models, also I hasn’t got headlights cleaners which again has been advertised in Lexus brochure when I’ve ordered the car. Could you please update me on it, is automatic parking something that may be released later on to UK model via system update??
Hello John,
Congratulations on your new car and thanks for choosing Lexus.
Automated Parking is available on your vehicle, however the Remote Parking feature was never confirmed for the UK and we don’t have any information on it currently.
Saying that, your vehicle is fitted with a Lexus Link Pro multimedia system with over-the-air updates.
This means that additional features can be added remotely if needed.
With regards to your question about headlight cleaners, all versions of the NX have this feature.
In front of the headlights you should see a small, rectangular panel which raises and sprays the headlights.
Thanks.
Thanks for your reply.
Just a bit confused, so what Automated Parking does? Is that just parking sensors and camera?
Also, with Headlight Cleaners, I cannot find how to operate them, the rectangular plates are there but I’ve tried all options from wheel controls and cannot see them working. Don’t know if it’s somewhere in Menu to turn them on.
Hello John,
In response to your question about the Headlight Cleaners:
When the headlights are on and the windscreen washer lever is pulled and held, the headlight cleaners will operate once.
After this, the headlight cleaners will operate every 5th time the lever is pulled.
Regarding your query about parking:
-Perpendicular parking (forward/reverse) function Assistance is provided from the position the vehicle is stopped near the target parking space until the vehicle is in the parking space.
-Perpendicular exiting (forward/reverse) function Assistance is provided from the parked position until the vehicle is in a position where you can easily exit from the parking space.
-Parallel parking function Assistance is provided from the position the vehicle is stopped near the target parking space until the vehicle is in the parking space.
-Parallel exiting function Assistance is provided from the parked position until the vehicle is in a position where you can easily exit from the parking space.
-Memory function Assistance is provided until the vehicle is guided into a previously registered parking space.
If you would like to gain further information on this, here is a link with more detail – https://we.tl/t-8HPewxkV6Z.
Thanks.