Lexus NX 450h+ reviews: what the press says

The second-generation Lexus NX opened 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+.

Since the launch of this eagerly anticipated SUV in early 2022, motoring journalists have spent hours evaluating its day-to-day capabilities on UK and European roads. What did they think of the plug-in model’s enhanced electrified performance? Please scroll down to see excerpts of their NX 450h+ review articles and view the multiple awards it has been bestowed. To read the full online reports, simply click on the hyperlinks in the emboldened titles.

Lexus NX 450h+ review articles:

Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2023 – Best Large Plug-in Hybrid: “The Lexus NX is a great car with or without a plug, but the 450h+ raises the game with a long electric range, plus a quiet, comfortable cabin and fantastic in-car tech. Another repeat winner [it won the same award in 2022], the Lexus NX is our best large plug-in hybrid for 2024.”

Recent additional awards for NX 450h+: Best Large Hybrid SUV (What Car?), Plug-in Hybrid of the Year (What Car?), Best Mid-Size Premium SUV (Auto Express), Euro NCAP five-star safety rating.

Auto Express long-term test review: “If you’re nervous of making the leap to an EV, the Lexus hybrid system is a great way to see if it will work for you – and in an SUV package that gets a lot of what matters right.”

Driving Electric: “Overall, the plug-in hybrid version of the new NX adds refinement and class-leading efficiency to an already appealing package. There are several significant improvements over the previous generation, such as more cabin space and a vastly improved infotainment system, while material and build quality throughout are as strong as ever.”

Honest John long-term test review: “The electric powertrain is silky smooth and quiet. Press the throttle and the NX whirrs along and the power delivery is applied in a predictable and linear way, without any unpleasant jolts or thumps when the petrol engine kicks in. Using the odometer and brim-to-brim fuel receipts to work out the fuel economy, the NX 450h+ is comfortably averaging 200mpg.”

RAC Drive: “The NX 450+ may be the first plug-in hybrid Lexus, but it’s been created with a greater wealth of engineering experience than has been devoted to any other mid-sized premium brand SUV segment rival. There’s up to 47 miles of all-electric driving range, sharp looks and a sumptuous cabin. It’s a strong contender.”

What Car?: “The Lexus NX 450h has a plush interior, impressive refinement, good electric range, low CO2 emissions and low company car tax rate. [The] family SUV is a great all-rounder and the best car Lexus has launched for years.”

Video reviews:

Lexus NX 450h+ review articles:

Autocar: “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. This is a thoroughly modern and tastefully engineered proposition, with its own distinct character… and impressive performance statistics.”

Auto Express: “[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.”

CAR: “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.”

Motoring Research: “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.”

Parkers: “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.”

What Car?: “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.

Top Gear: “How does it drive? It’s actually a very comfortable car, matching up well with the zero-emission capable powertrain.”

Learn more: Independent owner reviews of Lexus NX on Feefo

Information updated in January 2024 and correct at the time of publishing.