In a recent Automotive News article, the auto industry trade newspaper, Lexus and Toyota take top spots in J.D. Power’s dependability survey. Lexus in particular, has the lowest rate of complaints compared to others, and they have the strongest resale value.
We were privileged to review one of Lexus’s top sellers, the compact NX 350h Luxury Hybrid SUV. This handsome SUV retains the Lexus trademark bold grille and flowing lines. The model comes in several forms starting with the NX 250, NX 350 AWD, NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD, NX 350 AWD, NX 450h Plus AWD, and NX 450 Plus F Sport Handling AWD a plug-in-hybrid.
Let’s face it, who knows more about hybrid’s but Toyota, Lexus’s parent company. And another report shows that Toyota/Lexus sold more hybrid’s in 2023 than ever before.
The NX 350h comes with an upscale and comfortable interior. Heated/cooled and nicely supportive front seats hug the torso every so securely. Black open pore wood trim adorns the dash for an extra touch of classiness.
Blended into the dash is a vivid 14-inch touchscreen that serves the gamut of Mark Levinson audio, HVAC selections, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity, Wi-Fi, Amazon music, drive modes and a digital assistant with some voice commands plus rearview, front and rotating view camera systems.
A digital gauge cluster shows a host of functions and alerts through its embedded driver information display (aside from speed and gear selections). There’s also an adjustable heads-up display.
And speaking of digital, NX 350h had a dual conventional and digital rearview mirror. In digital mode it shows a wide-angle view that doesn’t show headrests, tall folks or the rear pillars. The view takes some getting used to.
The NX 350h has unique door handles. To open the doors from inside the cabin, merely press inward on the flat handles and the doors release slightly. That too, took some getting used to as its customary to pull on handles.
Included is a wireless phone charger pad that slides backward to expose a small, 3-inch deep bin. Pretty nifty idea and design.
A slim gear selector selects drive modes for the CVT automatic transmission and it’s the same one Toyota uses on their 2024 Crown sedan.
NX comes with a rotary mode selector for Eco, Sport, Normal and a separate switch for EV only mode. Selections then display on the infotainment display.
Back in the comfy and heated rear seats, that have a low 19.5-inch step-in, they can accommodate two adults or three youngsters as the transaxle hump is low.
When carrying packages, a hands-free tailgate is a helpful feature. The cargo area within is spacious. With the rear seats upright, there’s 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 37.5 inches deep, 40 wide and 29 high. Flip the rear seatbacks and space increases to 46.9 cubic feet for 70 inches of cargo loading depth. A low 31-inch lift-over makes loading bulky items easier.
The NX 350h comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with electric motor for a combined 239-hp that garners EPA mileages estimates of an impressive 41 city, 37-highway mpg. Coupled to a CVT transmission, NX 350h has a tow capacity of 2,000 pounds. So powered, there’s no want for power and Lexus says it can do a 0-60 sprint in 7.2 seconds.
All Lexus vehicles are noted for a smooth, quite, secure ride and the NX doesn’t disappoint on 20-inch Bridgestone tires. With its short wheelbase, NX has a tight 20 foot curb-curb turning radius for easy parking. And with 7.7 inches of ground clearance, NX can handle modest snow depths.
My NX 350h test car came exceptionally equipped with a long list of safety features such as Lexus’ System 3.0 w/Lane Tracing Assist; pre-collision system w/pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control w/curve speed management, lane departure alert w/steering assist, blind spot monitor and much more.
The NX 350h carried a base price of $48,795 until a long list of options were added that included cold area package ($250); digital rearview mirror ($200); 20-inch alloy wheels ($1,300); power folding rear seat ($1,030); triple beam headlamps w/cornering lamps ($850); Mark Levinson audio ($1,020); premium Cadmium Orange paint ($595); panoramic sunroof ($500); panoramic view monitor, lane change assist-front ($1,070); Advanced Park (auto parking – $480); wireless phone charger;, 4G digital key ($450); dashcam ($375); and delivery ($1,150) took the bottom line to $58,075. This is next to the top-line NX 450h Plus F sport Handling AWD SUV at $59 905.
Lexus NX 350h comes with a 4 year/50K mile new vehicle warranty; powertrain is 6/70K; hybrid hardware and batteries 8/100K and free first service for up to one year or 10K miles.
While the NX 350h is not out of line when compared to the competition, you can’t go wrong as it offers reliability, quality build and an excellent resale value. It serves as a benchmark for other luxury compact hybrid SUVs. And I must admit, my wife owns a midsize 2008 RX 350 AWD SUV and loves it.
.
