We recently tested the Toyota RAV4, and we came away impressed, this is the best-selling compact SUV in the market, and it’s probably the most competitive segment out there.
Aside from that, Toyota knows how to spread the love around – the Lexus NX shares much of the mechanicals, and the goodness with its sibling, and it’s a great choice in a compact luxury SUV. So, we jumped at the chance to take another bite at the apple with the 2024 Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport, the plug-in hybrid that’s the most powerful and yet most efficient of the line up. Sounds like the perfect Xmas present, no? Let’s find out.
Sporty Spice
While the NX has been around a couple years, our tester gathered some attention anyway – we think it’s the combo of a bold color, and the F SPORT package.
When the NX got a refresh in 2022, the jury was still out on the massive spindle grille that’s pretty much standard on all Lexus models. We’ve come to like that design, and in the F SPORT, completely blacked-out it looks aggressive and mean, especially braced by optional projector headlamps and L-shaped daytime running lights. Adding to the toughness are dual mesh side grilles, circular fogs and a contrasting lip on the lower fascia.
The profile certainly stands apart from the RAV4. While the Toyota is blocky and truckish, the Lex is tall-coupe performance-y, with bulgy fenders, a swept-back A-pillar and a kicked-up C-pillar for added enticement. The F SPORT treatment adds some more aggression with color-keyed wheel arches and gorgeous blacked-out 20-inch alloy wheels. A subtle F SPORT badge tips off that this is a special NX.
The rear is equally special, with a full-width blade rear combination lamp that’s subtle and tasteful, while boomerang-shaped LED taillights give a signature Lexus look. We love that L E X U S is spelled out in big block letters. Finishing off the rear are dual side vents and a contrasting lower fascia with lip gives some added street cred. Another reason to opt for the F SPORT is the model’s unique Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 paint that really pops. It’s one gorgeous blue! (On passerby said it looks like “Dodger Blue”!)
Comfy Cabin
Inside, the cabin is a blend of Lexus luxury and advanced tech.
Being an F SPORT, the first thing that greets you are front sport seats that look supportive, feel supportive, but thankfully are easy to get in and out of. They are also heated and cooled for year-round convenience.
Hop in those seats and you face a fat leather-wrapped F SPORT steering wheel, with selective switches on the stalks that give you access to key functions – and when you touch them, the controls get projected on the Head Up Display, making it easy to keep your eyes on the road.
The digital gauge display looks modern and fresh, too, and includes easy ways to monitor the battery charge level for the plug-in hybrid powertrain. The big screen is the 14-inch info-tainment display, slightly angled towards the driver for ease of use. That big screen brings your favorite apps to life, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes connectivity easy-peasy. Adding to the ease was our tester’s optional wireless charging pad and digital key setup.
And since the big display is a touchscreen, it allows Lexus to dustbin the mouse-like pad we never really liked. Another plus, they are nice enough to include an actual volume knob. Yes!
Another win for us are the separate controls for the climate control system, including the climate-controlled seats and heated steering wheel – no fishing through pages of screens to get comfortable right away.
There’s also an excellent voice-first approach allowing those in front an expanded and interactive experience to access navigation, media, phone and certain vehicle settings such as climate control and window opening/closing. Just say “Hey Lexus” and ask away.
The good times keep coming with an actual shift lever. It’s small and stubby, but we still like it much more than the pushbutton types we’ve found on Acura models, and the stalk type controls that are popular on Hyundai/Kia products. Yeah, we’re traditionalists, and proud of it.
Sharing the RAV4 powertrain also pays dividends, with full-size adult rear seats with loads of cargo space even with the rear seat up. Even though there’s a larger battery due to the plug-in hybrid, there’s no loss of storage space between the gas-powered models and a plug-in hybrid like our 450h+. There’s also a neat underfloor storage area that holds the adapter for charging the EV system.
Glide and Go
Driving the 450h+ is also a kick – literally!
While there are 4 (yes 4!) different powertrains for the NX, two of them are hybrids. Our 450h+ is the most powerful with a plug-in hybrid system, 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder gas engine, and two electric motors to serve up a combined 304 horsepower.
And like the RAV4, it makes for one very quick small SUV/Crossover hitting 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds. Plenty of punch for around town and on the freeway! Not only is that invigorating, but another highlight of the PHEV system, you can drive up to 36 miles in pure EV mode. It’s a smooth and swift way to get around town.
Speaking of swift, charging is easy, too – but it’s not the superfast system we’ve experienced in EV’s like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. When equipped with the 6.6-kilowatt onboard traction battery charger like our tester, you can charge from fully depleted in approximately 12 hours using a 120-Volt outlet – perfect for the overnight. With a Level 2 EV charger and a 240-Volt outlet, the charge time decreases to about 2½ hours.
Helping to serve up all this power is an electronically controlled AWD system that puts the power down easily in the straights, the corners, and in slick conditions. When we previously tested a non-F-SPORT NX we found the ride smooth and quiet. Well, the F SPORT retains that supple ride, but it feels a little more interested in taking on a curving road or a sharp on ramp. It’s more fun, but it never forgets it’s a Lexus. Those seeking more involvement might want to check out the BMW X3 or Audi Q5.
Along with that satisfying power and handling, the NX is a wonderful partner for the daily drive. The tall seating position gives great visibility, and those sport seats make long drives a back-happy experience. When you’re ticking off the option sheet, we’d recco the optional Panoramic View Monitor, with a 360-degree overhead view that makes it a breeze to fit in parking spots. We also appreciated the monitors that tell you when someone is crossing your path, both up front and in back.
Every NX features a standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which includes Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking, Right/Left Turn Oncoming Pedestrian Detection/Braking, Oncoming Vehicle Detection and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management. For a small size SUV, you feel very well protected.
How much for an F SPORT sport?
Like we said, there should be a Lexus NX to meet most budgets.
The line up starts with the 2024 NX250 for $39,995. For a handsome spacious 5-passenger crossover with the Lexus cache, it’s a good value. Our tester was the top-of-the-line NX450h+ F SPORT starting at $60,005.
Our tester added some tempting options, including Triple Beam Headlamps ($850), 6.6-Kilowatt charging ($800), Premium Paint ($595), Panoramic View Monitor ($1,070), Wireless Phone Charger ($450), plus a few tasteful accessories, for a total of $65,580. Add in $1,150 for delivery, and we rang the bell at $66,730.
OK, you’d probably want to look at the sibling RAV4 hybrid, and comparably equipped, it comes in at the low $50’s, so you are paying a premium for that Lexus prestige.
Other stylish entrants worth your eyeballs would include the Volvo XC60 Polestar Engineered, lovely to look at and drive, but at $76,545 it’s $10k more. We also like the Audi Q5 Plug-in hybrid, but at $72,990 it’s also a more expensive choice.
Great performance, efficiency and all that Lexus quality and luxury make the 2024 Lexus NX450h+ F SPORT plug-in hybrid one of our favorite 5-passenger crossover/SUVs!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.