The 2023 Lexus NX series provides a number of avenues you can choose in the powertrain department. It starts at the choice of pure gasoline-powered engines, or a hybrid version.

Should you opt for gas-only, you get the choice between the NX 250 with a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four cylinder engine or the NX 350 with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. With the NX 250, you get 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque going through an eight-speed automatic transmission, down to your choice of front- or all-wheel drive. While this is good enough for mundane daily driving, and is plenty of power for commuting in the city or overtaking on busy highways, those looking for some more oomph will want to step up to the turbocharged engine. 

Cranking it up to 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, the NX 350 is available with all-wheel drive only. Putting all that power down at once to all four wheels means the 350 is quicker off the line and fast-paced on open highways. At the pumps, the turbocharger helps provide power with limited fuel economy damage – the NX 250 gets 25 MPG city and 32 MPG highway with all-wheel drive, while the NX 350 sees 22 MPG city and 29 MPG highway with all-wheel drive.

Of course, if fuel economy is your focus, the 350h Hybrid and 450h+ Plug-In Hybrid are here for you. Both of these units feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors going to standard all-wheel drive. In the 350h, this provides a combined output of 240 horsepower, while in the 450h+ it creates 304 horsepower. Both also use a continuously variable automatic transmission, and while the 350h provides easy and pleasant acceleration, the 450h+ offers nimble power and great acceleration – getting up to 60 MPH in only 6.0 seconds from a standing start. In terms of economy, the 350h gets 41 MPG city and 37 MPG highway, while the 450h+ gets up to 84 MPGe combined city and highway! On electric-only, the 450h+ has roughly 37 miles of range, and can charge in around 4.5 hours through a standard 3.3kW charger.

The distinctive Lexus spindle grille is the first thing you’ll see on the 2023 Lexus NX, and it dominates the exterior. Behind it, the NX offers clean lines and a sloping, slightly fastback-looking roofline that leads to a skinny rear window. 18- and 20-inch wheels are available depending on the powertrain and trim level.

Inside, there is seating for five passengers, and the seats themselves are fairly roomy. Without the moonroof, you get a little over 38 inches of headroom throughout, dropping to a touch over 37 inches if you opt for the standard or panoramic moonroof. Rear legroom is adequate for adolescents and smaller adults, but the 36.1 inches of space might be a little tight for bigger adults. 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row can be opened up to 46.9 cubic feet max – plenty for errands and commuting usage, but it does limit travelling and camping opportunities.

The immaculate cabin offers plenty of soft-touch plastic elements and has high quality fit and finish, and is centered around the standard 9.8 touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard, along with 10 speakers, two USB ports, and Bluetooth wireless hands-free phone and audio. Cloud Navigation, Hey Lexus Intelligent Assistant, and Destination Assist are all available. Technophiles will want to upgrade to the available 14-inch touchscreen, along with wireless device charging and the optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system featuring 1800 watts of PurePlay Surround Sound power.

All 2023 Lexus NX models series feature the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a comprehensive safety suite. A thorough roster of driver assist systems includes All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Intersection Support, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Intelligent High Beams. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert isn’t considered part of the system, but it’s also standard across the model lineup. A rearview camera is standard, while a surround-view camera system is available, along with optional parking sensors and hands-free park assist are available.

While Lexus separates the NX series into 7 different trim levels, some of them offer minute or no difference at all.

For instance, while the NX 250 and NX 250 AWD are considered two different trim levels, the only difference is the inclusion of all-wheel drive in the latter. Both trims feature synthetic leather upholstery with heated front seats and eight-way power adjustability. Dual-zone climate control is standard as well, along with the standard technology mentioned above. The Premium package adds ventilation to the front seat, driver’s seat memory settings, and a hands-free power liftgate for easier loading and unloading. A power moonroof is also offered. The Luxury package build even further on this, adding leather trim to the seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, Black Prism interior trim, and the 14-inch touch screen.

The NX 350 AWD and 350h AWD trims match up, differing only in the powertrain. They’re quite similar to the previous trim – in fact, these trims start out the same, and have the same available Premium package. It’s only when moving up to the available Luxury package that you see a difference. In these trims, this package includes unique chevron seat quilting and perforated leather trim throughout, along with Black Open-Pore Wood trim. A heated steering wheel is an independent option. Door courtesy lamps and thematic ambient illumination add additional luxury touches. Outside, Bi-LED headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System are provided, and a panorama glass roof and 20-inch 20-spoke alloy wheels with silver finish are options that aren’t available at the lower level.

At the 450h+ trim, you get everything that the 350h with Luxury Package gets, as well as some of the independent options like the heated steering wheel. Perforated leather-trimmed upholstery and Black Open-Pore Wood trim is standard, along with the big 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the power tilt-and-slide moonroof is standard, the panoramic glass roof is not available on this trim. 20-inch split 5-spoke allow wheels with Dark Gray metallic finish are standard, as well as roof rails and the Bi-LED headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting.

Both the 350 and 450h+ are offered with the F SPORT Handling trim. These build on the standard 350h trim, and bring both performance and appearance upgrades. For the driver, the sport-tuned suspension offers responsiveness and control. F SPORT trim is displayed throughout the interior, and includes aluminum pedals, heated front seats with enhanced bolsters, black headliner, and Dark Graphite Aluminum trim. F SPORT perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob is standard on the 350; a perforated heated steering wheel is available on the 350 and standard on the 450h+. F SPORT heated and ventilated front seats are similarly available on the 350 and standard on the 450h+. Outside, the F SPORT appearance package includes Gloss Black roof rails, color-matched wheel fender arches, front fascia and mesh grille insert, badges, and much more.