The Luxury in the 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ AWD Made Me Swoon. So Did the MPG
After spending a week behind the wheel of the 2026 Lexus NX 450h+, I didn’t want to surrender the keys. I grew quite fond of this convenient little SUV, which has much more to offer than meets the eye. It’s prepared to tackle a variety of conditions without compromising comfort. Or luxury.
The NX 450h+ costs between $57,810 and $62,830, depending on the trim and options, and for the price, is an excellent option if you’re seeking an upscale SUV with premium features like a leatherette interior, wireless phone mirroring, keyless entry, heated seats, and a power liftgate. If you want even more features, upper trims offer a sunroof, surround view camera, automatic parking, and a wireless phone charger.
My colleague Jill Robbins really fell for the quilted leather seating, the 14″ touch screen and the little upgrades that added a posh feel. “These little touches definitely upped the glam level for me.” she said. I needed to put all this to the test and I was quite pleased.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
How many MPG does the Lexus NX 450 PHEV get?
This plug-in hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 84 MPGe with an electric-only range of 37 miles. In Hybrid Mode, it gets about 35 mpg. It can travel about 600 miles between fillups, which could mean weeks between trips to the pumps—excellent for commuters.
I used this SUV for errands around town and a two-hour road trip around the Carolinas to discover that the fuel economy estimate is spot on. It’s all-wheel drive, but because the rear differential is electronic and only activated when slipping is detected, it essentially drives like it’s front-wheel drive. That’s a feature that’s especially important in North Carolina in the early spring, where you can have one day that’s in the 70’s and then rainy and snowy conditions the next.
With a Level 1 or household outlet, it takes about 12 hours to fully charge the batteries. A Level 2 charger reduces the charging time to about 2.5 hours. Also, the regenerative brakes provide plenty of range, so you won’t have to plug in very often.
How does the Lexus NX 450h+ drive?
The Lexus NX is prepared to adapt to your mood and lifestyle with various driving modes for Eco, Normal, and Sport. If you want to spiceup your commute, Sport Mode makes a difference. It tunes everything up to make the little Lexus feel much faster, adding a bit more personality to the mix. The engine suddenly has a seductive roar (and more exhaust noise is allowed into the cabin), and the brakes are more responsive for confident control. The steering tightens up, too.
There’s no shortage of power for passing others, with a combined horsepower figure of 304, more than many hybrid SUVs of its size. Eco Mode is great for sitting back and taking easy drives and maximizing mileage, while Normal is, well, for normal driving. It got the job done.
The compact SUV that’s downright convenient for tight city areas. The parking assist and 360-degree camera have never made parallel parking and navigating around obstacles so easy! Forget that whole ‘I’m not going if there’s no parking trend’, because this Lexus fits anywhere.
Is the 2026 Lexus NX 450 comfortable?
Yes, the 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ is extremely comfortable. It has supportive leather seats that provide hours of comfort with ergonomic qualities to keep you focused on the road. There is a wide range of adjustment settings to find the perfect driving or riding position.
This SUV received crucial updates in 2022. The interior feels advanced and modern. The interior’s design and layout are attractive and elegant, with high-quality materials like wood appliques and metal accent trim pieces. It’s premium and simple, without distractions.
The backseat is pretty spacious as well. Taller friends or kids won’t mind sitting back there with space to stretch out. Also, the doors open wide for easy access. Installing children’s seats should be a stress-free process. It has a smooth ride, even over broken sections of pavement on backcountry roads. Also, it’s incredibly quiet at highway speeds for relaxing jaunts. However, on electric power, this SUV is almost too quiet! You can hear the world around you while stopped at red lights.
Does the Lexus NX have good tech?
Tech in the 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ is one area that I found to be a bit lacking. This SUV could benefit from more physical controls for the AC and radio system. However, the 14-inch touchscreen is very responsive.
Connecting to wireless Apple CarPlay is quick and easy, and it holds the connection well. The head-up display didn’t provide any additional information that was already in the digital gauge cluster, but some drivers prefer using it to keep their eyes on the road. The heated seats are fast-acting and quite cozy. However, on hot afternoons, the ventilated seats were hardly noticeable.
Also, the Lexus NX has all of the safety bells and whistles, such as blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the safety features are incredibly sensitive. There are constant loud beeps and alerts.
How much space does the Lexus NX 450h+ have?
The 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ falls a bit behind rivals in terms of cargo space. The rear hatch offers up to 22.7 cubic feet, just a tad bigger than a Subaru Crosstrek, and the rear seats fold flat to provide up to 46.9 cubic feet of cargo space.
But the hatch opens wide and has a low liftover height, making it easy to load heavy or bulky items. Also, the center console and glove box are pretty useful, and there are cubbies and trays to take advantage of.
You’ll probably keep your purse behind the driver’s seat or in the passenger seat. However, the door pockets provide plenty of extra storage for smaller items, and you can hold four water bottles in the front.
Who should buy the 2026 Lexus NX 450h+?
Overall, the 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ is well polished with plenty of standard features. It’s engaging and easy to drive with some of the most comfortable seats I’ve experienced in a while. Plus, it’s confident and smart.
However, the tech could be a little more intuitive, and the cargo space is slightly lacking for the class. Otherwise, this efficient plug-in hybrid checks a ton of boxes.
I’d recommend this Lexus for drivers who want to save gas, fit in crowded areas, and enjoy an athletic experience without sacrificing comfort and luxury, especially for the price.
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