The Lexus RX lineup is universally considered to be the brand’s bread-and-butter model with the RX being tasked to be the volume seller. But what if you’re a buyer who wants something smaller but still craves a performance hybrid experience? The Lexus NX is looking to fit the bill with the model even getting a PHEV hybrid model to help please performance SUV buyers. But is the 2025 Lexus NX 450h+ the perfect answer to this need or is it a few steps shy of perfection?
Sharper styling puts NX above big brother RX
The exterior styling of the Lexus NX has always been a calling card for the SUV with the model receiving a redesign not too long ago. This redesign allowed the NX to embrace its sporty personality with the front fascia getting a spindle grille that looks sharper and more serious than the RX’s nose which received its fair share of criticism from buyers. The side profile wears its compact lines well and the rear even gets bolder taillights. Our tester was an F Sport model with these models getting blacked-out accents and slightly reworked bodywork to help the NX look more performance-oriented.
The NX is up against a growing pool of competitors but Lexus chose to not update it in any major way for the 2025 model year which is fine with us since it will help give the brand more time to see how the NX is doing in the market and to make any potential adjustments in the next model year. This light touch is also a play on familiarity with Lexus hoping the 450h+ can draw in more buyers as shifting market conditions and newly sworn-in President Donald Trump’s move to end EV-related rebates push more buyers into hybrids and plug-in hybrid models like the 450h+.
Tech focused NX interior is on its game
Slip inside the NX and the cabin continues to impress with its abundance of high-quality materials and modern design. F Sport models like our tester get revised seats that have more bolstering but this infusion of support doesn’t mean the seats lose out in raw comfort with our tester’s thrones still providing plenty of long-haul comfort on longer road trips. The second row seats are a bit tight for taller occupants but children should have no trouble finding the right amount of comfort. Fold them down and the NX can haul a deceptively high amount of cargo though its compact size means it won’t be able to haul quite as much as the RX.
The bulk of NX models get a 9.8-inch infotainment system standard but move into higher trim levels and it’s swapped out for a larger 14.0-inch unit. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. A 10-speaker stereo system is standard but our tester arrived with the optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. A favorite feature of ours is the button-operated door handles, they function just like ones you would find in a Chevrolet Corvette and automatically disable themselves if the car senses a cyclist approaching.Â
A RAV4 Prime in a fancier wrapper
Performance for the 2025 Lexus NX450h+ comes from the same powertrain that you find in a Toyota RAV4 Prime model with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder being paired with two electric motors. This allowed our tester to produce 302 hp and the extra motors also allow it to have standard all-wheel drive. An 18.1 kWh battery pack provides juice to both electric motors but while the powertrain does have some low-end spunk, like the Toyota, it lacks some of the upper-end push needed to make it a true performance SUV. The setup does allow the NX to run on all-electric mode for 37 miles though that figure drops slightly to 33 miles if EV mode is used on the freeway.
When the NX450h+ isn’t being pushed to its limits, it morphs into a pretty efficient PHEV with the EPA saying that models like our example can get up to 36 mpg in combined driving. Shifts from the CVT are smooth but while this allows the transmission to have a refined character around town, the experience falls flat on its face when formally going fast with the CVT occasionally being caught sleeping on the job when it comes to giving the right gear for abrupt acceleration. Braking in our tester was strong but the regen braking was too eager to participate at times so we had to adjust our pedal input accordingly to compensate.\
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2025 Lexus NX450h+ reflects the three-tier model ladder that exists for the rest of the NX range with this model being split into two formal models with the base 450h+ starting at $62,415 before any fees are factored into the price. Our tester arrived with the F Sport Handling Package but while that might seem like a hefty premium at first glance, it’s not, with our tester having a base MSRP of $63,505. Optional extras pushed our tester’s price a bit higher, but it still ended up being under $70,000 when all was said and done.
This pricing is on par for the segment, but buyers might be better off with the base 450h+ n the long run since that model still has the beefier engine and much of the core equipment and optional extras that you can get in the F SPort but for less money. As such, while the F Sport looks ready to carve corners, the finer details prevent it from being a worthy step up from the base 450h+. IN addition to the PHEV model, the NX can also be equipped either as a traditional hybrid or a pure ICE model which allows the SUV as a whole to appeal to a wide range of buyers and their budgets.    Â
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.