Cars

2025 Lexus NX Review: Specs, Hybrid MPG, & Test Drive

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Lexus NX Review: Specs, Hybrid MPG, & Test Drive

The 2025 Lexus NX continues to solidify its position as one of the most compelling compact luxury SUVs on the market. With a refined design, advanced technology, and an impressive hybrid powertrain lineup, the NX delivers both performance and efficiency without sacrificing comfort or style. Whether you're a tech-savvy urban driver or someone seeking a reliable daily commuter with premium touches, the 2025 Lexus NX offers a well-rounded package.

In this comprehensive 2025 Lexus NX review, we’ll dive deep into the vehicle’s key specifications, fuel economy figures—especially for the hybrid variants—real-world driving impressions from our test drive, and what sets it apart from competitors like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Acura RDX.

Exterior Design: Sharp, Modern, and Distinctive

For 2025, the Lexus NX receives subtle yet impactful updates that enhance its visual appeal. The front fascia remains dominated by the signature spindle grille, now more aggressively styled with sharper lines and a gloss-black mesh pattern. New LED daytime running lights wrap around the headlamps, giving the NX a bolder, more futuristic look.

From the side, the NX showcases a sleek silhouette with pronounced wheel arches and available 19-inch alloy wheels. The roofline slopes slightly toward the rear, balancing sportiness with practical headroom. At the rear, full-width LED taillights and a redesigned diffuser add a modern touch, while the overall stance communicates confidence and sophistication.

Available in 10 exterior colors—including new premium options like Sonic Silver and Cloudburst Gray—the 2025 NX lets buyers personalize their SUV while maintaining the brand’s high-end aesthetic.

2025 Lexus NX hybrid with MPG efficiency and premium exterior styling

Interior Luxury and Comfort

Step inside the 2025 Lexus NX, and you’re greeted by a cabin that blends modernity with craftsmanship. The dashboard features a driver-oriented layout with premium materials like soft-touch leather, real wood trim (on higher trims), and metallic accents. The overall design language is clean and minimal, reducing clutter while maximizing usability.

Lexus has upgraded the seating with enhanced ergonomic support, offering available heated and ventilated front seats. The 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat includes lumbar support, ensuring long-haul comfort. Rear passengers benefit from increased legroom—up to 39.4 inches—making the NX more competitive in its class for family use.

The cabin remains impressively quiet, thanks to advanced sound-dampening materials and triple-sealed doors. This serene environment pairs perfectly with the available 17-speaker Mark Levinson® Surround Sound System, delivering concert-hall audio quality.

Technology and Infotainment

The 2025 NX comes standard with a 9.8-inch touchscreen interface, with an optional 14-inch display available on higher trims. The larger screen adopts a portrait orientation, improving visibility and ease of access for frequently used functions like navigation and climate control.

Powered by Lexus’ latest infotainment system, the NX supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. Over-the-air (OTA) software updates keep the system current with the latest features and security patches.

Additional tech highlights include:

While some competitors still rely on touchpads or trackpads, Lexus continues to use a responsive touch interface, which drivers find more intuitive and safer to use while on the move.

2025 Lexus NX Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2025 Lexus NX lineup offers four main trims: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h (hybrid), and NX 450h+ (plug-in hybrid). Each trim builds on the previous one, providing a clear path for customization based on budget and preference.

NX 250 – Starting at $39,950

The base NX 250 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, with available all-wheel drive (AWD) for better traction. Despite its entry-level status, the NX 250 still includes key luxury features like LED lighting, power liftgate, and a suite of driver-assist technologies.

NX 350 – Starting at $43,150

Upgrading to the NX 350 brings a more powerful 2.4-liter turbo-four engine with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD, this trim offers spirited acceleration and improved highway passing ability. It also features adaptive suspension and drive mode select (ECO, NORMAL, SPORT, SNOW, and CUSTOM).

NX 350h Hybrid – Starting at $44,350

The NX 350h combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors to deliver a total system output of 239 horsepower. While slightly less powerful than the NX 350, the hybrid model excels in fuel efficiency and smooth power delivery. Front-wheel drive and AWD configurations are available.

NX 450h+ Plug-in Hybrid – Starting at $52,450

The most advanced model, the NX 450h+, adds a plug-in hybrid system with a larger battery pack. It offers an EPA-estimated all-electric range of 37 miles and a combined system output of 302 horsepower. This model is ideal for eco-conscious buyers who want both performance and low emissions.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

Our test drive of the 2025 Lexus NX revealed a well-balanced driving experience—refined, responsive, and composed. The NX 350, in particular, stands out with its turbocharged engine that delivers strong mid-range torque. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes approximately 6.4 seconds, which is competitive in the luxury compact SUV segment.

The 8-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, and steering feel is precise, though slightly light—typical of Lexus’ comfort-focused tuning. The available Adaptive Variable Suspension adjusts damping in real-time, enhancing ride quality over rough roads while maintaining stability during cornering.

One of the NX’s strengths is its handling composure. Despite its tall stance, the SUV feels planted through curves, with minimal body roll. The steering ratio is quick enough for city driving, and lane-centering assist works well on highways, reducing driver fatigue during long commutes.

The NX 450h+ offers a unique driving experience. In EV mode, the SUV glides silently with instant electric torque. Once the battery depletes or under hard acceleration, the gasoline engine seamlessly kicks in. Charging the 18.1 kWh battery via a Level 2 charger takes about 2.5 hours, making it practical for overnight charging.

2025 Lexus NX Hybrid MPG: Efficiency at Its Best

Fuel economy is where the hybrid models truly shine. The 2025 Lexus NX 350h achieves an impressive EPA-estimated **41 MPG city / 38 MPG highway / 40 MPG combined** with front-wheel drive. The AWD version drops slightly to **39 MPG city / 36 MPG highway / 38 MPG combined**, still besting most rivals in efficiency.

For the NX 450h+, the numbers are even more compelling. With its plug-in capability, it achieves an EPA-estimated **85 MPGe city / 78 MPGe highway** when running on electricity. When operating in hybrid mode, it averages **36 MPG combined**, and the total driving range exceeds 500 miles.

These figures make the NX one of the most fuel-efficient luxury SUVs on the market—especially when compared to the BMW X3 xDrive30e (27 MPGe) or the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e (57 MPGe).

Real-world driving confirms these numbers. During our 300-mile test loop that included city traffic, highway cruising, and hilly terrain, the NX 350h averaged 39.2 MPG. The NX 450h+ completed the first 35 miles on electric power alone, using zero gasoline.

Safety Features and Driver Assistance

Safety is a hallmark of the Lexus brand, and the 2025 NX comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. This comprehensive suite includes:

Optional advanced features include:

The 2025 NX has not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but given the strong safety track record of the previous model, a top safety pick rating is expected. The structure has been reinforced with high-strength steel, and eight airbags are standard.

Suspension and Ride Comfort

The 2025 NX prioritizes comfort over sportiness, and it shows in the ride quality. The standard suspension effectively absorbs bumps and potholes, making it suitable for daily drivers who value a smooth journey.

On winding roads, the NX remains stable but doesn’t encourage aggressive driving like the BMW X3. However, the available Adaptive Variable Suspension on higher trims sharpens responsiveness in SPORT mode, offering a more dynamic feel when desired.

Noise isolation is excellent. Wind and road noise are kept to a minimum, even at highway speeds. This makes the NX an ideal choice for long trips or urban commutes where cabin serenity enhances the experience.

Cargo Space and Practicality

The 2025 Lexus NX offers 20.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats—slightly less than the Acura RDX (29.5 cu ft) but on par with the Mercedes GLC (21.8 cu ft). With the 60/40-split rear seats folded down, total cargo volume expands to 51.4 cubic feet.

There’s a hands-free power liftgate available, and the cargo floor is flat when the seats are folded. The underfloor storage compartment holds the spare tire or charging cables for the plug-in hybrid model.

While not the most spacious in its class, the NX makes up for it with thoughtful details like grocery bag hooks, cargo net anchors, and a retractable cargo cover that keeps belongings out of sight.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2025 NX infotainment system is a major improvement over previous versions. The standard 9.8-inch screen is mounted higher on the dash, improving visibility. The optional 14-inch display is one of the largest in the segment and features crisp graphics and fast processing.

The interface supports voice commands via “Hey Lexus,” which can adjust climate settings, set navigation, or play music. While the system is generally responsive, some users may need time to adapt to the new menu structure.

Wireless connectivity is a big win. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto operate wirelessly, and Bluetooth pairing is quick and reliable. The available Wi-Fi hotspot supports up to five devices, making it ideal for families or business travelers.

Driving Modes and Customization

The NX offers multiple drive modes to suit different conditions and preferences:

In SPORT mode, the NX 350 feels noticeably more engaging. The transmission holds gears longer, and the steering gains more weight