2025 Lexus NX450h+ F Sport review

The Lexus NX has carved out a loyal following as a stylish, comfortable, and slightly left-field alternative to the usual European suspects in the mid-size luxury SUV world.

The launch of the NX450h+ F Sport in 2022 saw Lexus dive further into electric territory with its first plug-in hybrid SUV. Positioned as the flagship of the NX family, it offers zero-emissions commuting and petrol-powered flexibility in one sharply styled package.

Now back on sale after a long pause in orders, we find out whether it still has what it takes to tempt buyers away from the established European nameplates.

The Lexus NX range kicks off at $63,400 before on-road costs for the entry-level NX250 – a front-wheel-drive model powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a 9.8-inch touchscreen.

It’s a broad and busy line-up, with nine variants and a mix of powertrains, drivetrains, and enhancement packs available, offering buyers 17 different configurations to choose from.

At the top of the range sits the NX450h+ F Sport tested here. It’s the only plug-in hybrid in the line-up and is offered exclusively in F Sport trim, priced from $95,900 before on-road costs – a $5910 increase over its previous list price of $89,990 in March 2023.

Not sold on plug-in tech? The self-charging hybrid NX350h with all-wheel drive starts from $76,400 before ORCs.

The NX450h+ F Sport rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and comes fully loaded, with the F Sport grille and bumpers, adaptive suspension, a moonroof, a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, surround-view cameras, a digital rear-view mirror, heated and ventilated front seats, as well as a heated steering wheel. Our test car features the stunning Sonic Copper premium paint, which adds $1346 to the price.

Importantly, the NX450h+ also claims one of the longest EV-only driving ranges in the luxury medium SUV segment at 87 kilometres (NEDC).

There are multiple European-derived rivals to consider alongside our Lexus, including the Volvo XC60 Plus T8 Plug-In Hybrid ($92,390), BMW X3 30e xDrive ($104,100), and Audi Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S line ($105,984). All prices are expressed before on-road costs.

Looking for the best deals on a Lexus NX? You can find NXs for sale at Drive Marketplace.

Find your nearest Lexus dealer here to check out the NX in person, or use the online configurator.

With luxury vehicles comes a high expectation for the interior, and the pressure is on. The fit and finish of the cabin can make or break the experience. Thankfully, the Lexus delivers, and it does so without going overboard.

The F Sport seats are nicely sculpted, plush and comfortable, without the firmness you’d expect from a traditional sports or racing seat. They're both heated and ventilated too. Up front, storage is well thought out, with a pair of cupholders, a centre console bin, generously sized door pockets, and a handy nook beneath the wireless charging pad.

The 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster and leather-wrapped steering wheel feel premium, and I appreciated the electric steering column adjustment as well. One small detail I loved was the pink-blue gradient on the digital climate control dial – very cool.

Then there are the E-Latches (electric door handles). Some may find them a step too far, but I found them intuitive from the outset. They add a small moment of luxury before you’ve even stepped inside, and honestly, I’m still adjusting to regular door handles again after reluctantly handing this car back.

Another thoughtful touch is that the windows don’t just open or close – they gradually slow as they reach the top or bottom in a way that’s oddly satisfying. It’s little moments like these that remind you you’re in something a cut above.

Despite the moonroof, the all-black dashboard trim in my test car made the cabin feel a little dark. You can customise the colour of the interior lighting, but it’s not those bright LED strip lights that could help lift the mood. So, the vibe is quite gloomy up front.

Rear-seat passengers get a flip-down armrest with cupholders, map pockets, air vents, a 12V socket, and two USB-C ports. It’s comfortable for two adults, though a bit tight for three. I was expecting tri-zone climate control in a flagship model, but its absence isn’t a deal-breaker.

Boot space is a strong point. The NX450h+ offers 520 litres – one of the best in its class. By comparison, the plug-in hybrid BMW X3 offers 460L, the Audi Q5 gives you 465L, and the Volvo XC60 provides 468L. At 4660mm long, the NX is also slightly shorter than many of its rivals.

Hands-free tailgate operation is included, but the kick sensor felt a little fussy – using the button on the key fob or boot latch was much easier.

Charging cables for the hybrid system are stored under the boot floor, where you’ll also find there’s no spare wheel. It’s a compromise made in favour of space, with run-flat tyres fitted to the vehicle instead.

The whopping 14-inch infotainment touchscreen might sound oversized on paper, and it does feel a bit imposing at first glance. But once you settle in, it quickly proves its worth. It's high-resolution, snappy to respond, and angled toward the driver for easy use, making everyday interactions feel seamless rather than overwhelming.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, and I had no trouble connecting my iPhone – it worked smoothly and reliably for the duration of the test. Other tech basics like DAB digital radio, satellite navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity are also included.

A customisable head-up display adds to the upmarket feel, projecting key driving info clearly into your line of sight.

Ahead of the driver sits an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster. While functional and clear, it’s smaller than the set-ups offered by some key rivals, and lacks the deep customisation or flexible layouts you’ll find in systems from Audi or Mercedes-Benz. It does change slightly depending on your selected drive mode, but overall it’s pretty basic.

The touch-tracer steering wheel controls are another weak spot. They require a double-tap to activate and feel needlessly complicated – not exactly intuitive when you’re on the move.

Lexus Connected Services is included for the first three years, bringing remote features like locking or unlocking the doors and tailgate, starting or stopping the engine, locating the vehicle, or pre-conditioning the climate control via the Lexus app.

The Lexus NX was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating when tested in 2022, with the score applying across all variants, including the NX450h+.

It performed strongly in all key areas, earning 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent for child occupant protection, 83 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 92 per cent for safety assist.

Standard safety equipment includes dual front airbags, side and curtain airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, and a centre airbag between the front seats.

There’s an extensive list of standard safety tech across the NX range, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that can detect pedestrians and daytime cyclists. You also get a blind-spot monitor, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-centring assist, and road sign assist.

Also on the NX is Safe Exit Assist, which works with the E-Latch electronic door handles to help prevent accidents when getting out of the car. If the system detects a vehicle or cyclist approaching from behind, it’ll issue a warning and can even stop the door from opening. A nice touch for some extra peace of mind, especially if you’ve got kids in the back.

The safety systems lean on the cautious side, with proximity sensors front and rear that tend to go off loudly, especially when reversing or when a pedestrian passes by while you’re stationary in traffic. It can get a bit much at times, but otherwise, systems like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition work well without being overly intrusive.

Lexus covers the NX with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while electrified models like the NX450h+ also benefit from a 10-year warranty on the hybrid battery as long as it's serviced annually at Lexus dealerships.

Servicing is capped at $595 per visit, totalling $2975 over five years. That’s a strong result when you consider that few rivals offer five years of servicing for under $3000.

A key value-add is Lexus’s Encore program, which is included for the first three years. It brings 24-hour roadside assistance, a complimentary loan car when your vehicle’s in for a service, and a range of travel and lifestyle perks – a nice bonus for owners.

Insurance costs for the NX450h+ come in at around $3112 per year based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances. Interestingly, the equivalent Audi Q5 quote came in slightly cheaper at $2939.

Lexus claims a fuel economy figure of 1.3 litres per 100 kilometres for the NX450h+, but that’s based on the battery being fully charged at all times – something that’s not always realistic in everyday use.

During my week of testing, I didn’t fully charge the battery often (home charging proved to be a lengthy process), yet I still recorded an average of 6.5L/100km. That’s a solid result considering the car wasn’t running in EV mode for a lot of the time.

For the uninitiated, plug-in hybrids like the NX450h+ combine a petrol engine with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and electric motor. It’ll prioritise electric driving first, only switching to petrol once the battery is depleted, offering peace of mind for those with range anxiety.

Charging times depend on your set-up. On a standard AC charger (Type 2) as offered in the Lexus, it takes around 7.5 hours to fully recharge from empty. At a public charger with a higher output, that time drops to around 2.5 hours.

The NX450h+ delivers the kind of premium driving experience you’d expect at this level. The cabin stays hushed, the engine is quiet even when it’s not in EV mode, and the ride itself is refined and composed.

Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two electric motors (a 134kW/270Nm unit at the front and a 40kW/121Nm motor at the rear) and an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery. Together, they produce a combined output of 227kW, sent through an e-CVT and an all-wheel-drive system.

EV-only driving is a treat – quick, smooth, and delightfully quiet. Even when switching over to hybrid mode, the transition is seamless. The only real sound that creeps in is a subtle CVT drone, and even that is fairly muted.

The NX never feels short on power. Throttle response is linear, and the drivetrain is smooth and predictable whether you're cruising or giving it a bit more of a shove. I found it connected and engaging, and very impressive.

You can dial in the drive experience to suit your mood too. The adaptive suspension and drivetrain can be adjusted via the drive modes, including Sport S and Sport S+, which sharpen the steering, firm up the suspension, and make the car feel more responsive and eager. Sport S+ was a standout – the engine gets a bit more vocal and the drive is genuinely fun. For daily commuting, though, I found Eco mode to be fine, and it still had plenty of zip for darting through traffic.

You do feel the extra weight from the battery, and the suspension is on the firmer side, particularly at lower speeds where bumps are more noticeable – but the payoff is confident handling. It feels like it’s locked to the road, with a real sense of stability.

The steering is nicely weighted and precise, making it an easy and reassuring car to park. My only gripe? The shifter is a bit quirky – to engage reverse or drive, you need to pull it sideways and then up or down, respectively. There’s a little diagram beside it if you ever forget, but it just feels unnecessary.

Overall, everything works in harmony. Lexus has done an excellent job tuning the various systems to create a cohesive, polished, and seriously satisfying driving experience.

While towing might not be top of mind for most Lexus NX450h+ buyers, it’s worth knowing the official limits: 1000kg braked and 750kg unbraked.

It’s enough for small trailers, bikes, or a lightweight camper, but if towing is a regular part of your lifestyle, the NX450h+ might not be the best fit. Plug-in hybrids also tend to be less tow-friendly overall due to the added weight of the battery and the design of the powertrain.

The Lexus NX450h+ F Sport marks a bold step for the brand into electrified territory with its first plug-in hybrid SUV. It delivers the best of both worlds – offering electric commuting during the week and petrol-powered flexibility for weekend getaways.

The NX is not just a practical family car; it manages to elevate the driving experience, making you feel special from the moment you sit behind the wheel, all the way through to the exceptional post-purchase offerings in the Lexus Encore program.

In terms of value, the NX stands tall against rivals, offering a premium experience at a competitive price. With its blend of luxury, technology, and efficiency, it’s more than capable of giving its European competitors a run for their money.