Lexus NX 350h Review

There are a few key reasons the Lexus NX 350h continues to strike a chord with Australian buyers. It offers the right mix of premium features, thoughtful design, and proven reliability, all wrapped in a package that feels more considered than some of its European rivals.

As the brand’s top seller in Australia, the NX plays an important role in Lexus’ local lineup. This review takes a closer look at the popular NX 350h Sports Luxury variant, breaking down what it gets right inside, outside, and on the road. We’ll also explore the ownership experience and whether this SUV lives up to its luxury badge.

Design That Balances Bold and Familiar

Even several years after its launch, the NX still looks current. The sharp LED headlights and sculpted front end give it a confident presence, while the signature Lexus spindle grille adds just enough flair to separate it from a sea of similar-sized SUVs. The Sonic Quartz white paint option brings out the detailing along the doors, and the 20-inch alloy wheels keep things classy without trying too hard.

A few design elements really stand out:

• Flush door handles with e-latch system: These handles don’t pull out like regular ones. Instead, you press a discreet button on the inside or outside, and the door pops open. It’s subtle, elegant, and backed up by a manual override in case you need it.
• Clean door sills: The doors wrap over the lower edges of the body, which helps keep your clothes clean after driving on dirty or wet roads.

At the rear, the styling plays it safer. A full-width LED light bar gives it a modern edge, but this design cue has become common across many brands. Still, the proportions are tidy, and there’s a premium feel to how it all comes together. This is a design that manages to feel distinct without going overboard.

Interior Sophistication: Elegance, Ergonomics, and Everyday Use

Step inside the NX 350h Sports Luxury and it quickly becomes clear why so many buyers gravitate toward Lexus. The cabin is a showcase of premium materials, smart layout choices, and thoughtful touches that elevate everyday driving. Nearly everything you touch feels high quality, from the soft-touch dash and perforated leather seats to the walnut trim accents and stitched armrests.

Lexus has clearly prioritised comfort and usability:

• Ergonomic controls: Physical dials for climate and volume sit within easy reach, and the centre touchscreen is angled slightly toward the driver for better visibility and interaction.
• Supportive seats: Both front seats offer 8-way power adjustment, with heating and ventilation as standard. Memory presets for the driver and proper lumbar support make long trips far more pleasant.
• Premium steering wheel and shifter: The small leather-wrapped steering wheel and tactile gear selector feel as nice to use as they look, giving the driver a genuine sense of connection to the car.

Storage is handled cleverly. A dual-hinged centre console opens from either side, there’s a hidden compartment beneath the wireless charging pad, and multiple USB-C ports ensure every passenger can stay powered up. The design isn’t just attractive, it’s functional, with solid real-world usability.

Even details like the ambient lighting, plush headliner, and digital mirror display contribute to a sense of quiet luxury. It’s a cabin that feels designed for people who care about how a car makes them feel, not just how it performs.

Tech and Features: High-End Convenience Comes Standard

Lexus has packed the NX 350h Sports Luxury with a strong suite of tech that feels genuinely integrated, not just tacked on. From the infotainment system to the driver assist features, nearly everything you expect in a modern luxury SUV is here, without requiring a deep dive into the options list.

The tech highlights begin with the centre display:

• 14-inch touchscreen: Large, sharp, and responsive, the new display is a huge step up from older Lexus systems. Gone is the frustrating touchpad, replaced with a more intuitive setup that’s easy to use on the move.
• Head-up display: One of the clearest in its class, the HUD shows navigation, speed, and driver assist alerts in a crisp, easy-to-read format.
• Digital rear-view mirror: This feature adds valuable visibility, especially when passengers or cargo are blocking your line of sight.

Other key inclusions:

• 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system: Rich, powerful sound comes standard, with no upgrade fee.
• 360-degree camera system: Provides normal, wide-angle, and top-down views. There’s even a 3D surround view option, though its usefulness is debatable.
• Wireless charging and USB-C ports: Front and rear passengers have access to multiple fast-charging ports, and the wireless pad includes a clever flip-up design for added storage.

The digital driver display isn’t the largest in class and has a learning curve when it comes to navigating menus, but once familiar, it works well enough. Lexus has focused on giving drivers real buttons and physical controls for high-use functions like temperature and audio, a welcome move in a segment that often over-relies on touchscreens.

Altogether, the NX delivers a tech experience that’s clean, user-friendly, and built around daily convenience rather than gimmicks.

Second Row and Boot: Space, Flexibility, and Family Readiness

The second row in the NX 350h strikes a solid balance between comfort and practicality. While it doesn’t quite lead the class in rear legroom, it still offers enough space to keep adult passengers happy on longer drives. The seat cushions are well-shaped, with decent under-thigh support and a slight recline function that adds an extra layer of comfort.

Back seat details worth noting:

• Rear air vents and charging ports: Passengers get twin adjustable vents, two USB-C outlets, and a 12V socket to keep devices powered.
• Fold-down armrest: Includes integrated cup holders and sits between two sculpted outer seats with good shoulder and headroom.
• Child-friendly features: ISOFIX points on the outboard seats, three top tether anchor points, and rear windows that lower all the way down.

The powered tailgate opens to reveal a boot that is versatile, if not the largest in its class. It can comfortably handle two large suitcases and a smaller bag, or your usual weekly shop with room to spare. Under the floor, Lexus has integrated a smart foldable cargo cover that tucks away neatly when not in use. A small touch, but one that makes a difference in daily usability.

Practical highlights include:

• Split-folding rear seats: They don’t go completely flat, but they do expand the boot area enough for bulkier items.
• Hidden compartments: Ideal for storing loose items or valuables out of sight.

The rear doors don’t open as wide as some rivals, which could make fitting child seats or wrangling toddlers a little trickier. But overall, the NX still delivers a family-friendly space that’s easy to live with, refined, and well thought out.Second Row and Boot: Space, Flexibility, and Family Readiness.

Under the Skin: Performance, Hybrid Power, and Real-World Behavior

At the heart of the NX 350h is a 2.5-litre petrol engine paired with a single electric motor, delivering a combined 179kW to the front wheels via an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). On paper, it sounds modest, especially compared to some turbocharged rivals, but in reality, it delivers smooth, relaxed performance that suits daily driving.

This isn’t a car designed to thrill from a standstill. Acceleration is adequate rather than exciting, and the e-CVT holds revs in a way that can make the engine feel noisier under hard throttle. That said, the powertrain shifts between petrol and electric modes seamlessly, with transitions often going unnoticed at lower speeds.

Key performance observations:

• Hybrid efficiency: Fuel consumption sits well below most petrol-only competitors, with real-world figures offering a cruising range of over 900km from its 55-litre tank.
• EV mode: Available at low speeds and under gentle throttle. The small 1.6kWh battery limits its range to a few hundred metres, but it’s helpful in stop-start traffic.
• Quiet cruising: Extra insulation and sound-deadening make the NX notably quieter than the Toyota RAV4 it shares a platform with.

While the hybrid setup could use a power bump and a larger battery to compete with newer plug-in or full EV rivals, its proven reliability and hassle-free operation are part of the appeal. You don’t have to plug it in, and it rewards gentle driving with low running costs and smooth operation.

For everyday use, commuting, errands, school drop-offs, it’s more than capable. It’s not the kind of drivetrain that begs to be pushed, but for buyers chasing comfort and efficiency over outright speed, it fits the brief.

Ride and Handling: Comfort Meets Composure

The NX 350h rides on the same platform as the Toyota RAV4, but Lexus has worked hard to deliver a more refined and composed experience. The result is a midsize SUV that feels polished on the road, with a clear emphasis on comfort and quietness over sharp dynamics.

Around town, the suspension does a good job of smoothing out most bumps, though the 20-inch wheels and run-flat tyres introduce a slightly firmer edge over rougher surfaces. It’s never harsh, but it doesn’t quite offer the plushness you might expect at this price. At highway speeds, however, the ride settles beautifully, making long-distance cruising effortless.

Key ride and handling traits:

• Well-controlled body movement: Through corners, the NX remains composed with limited body roll. It’s not sporty, but it feels confident.
• Light steering: Makes low-speed manoeuvring and tight turns easy, perfect for city streets and tight parking spots.
• Strong cabin insulation: Road noise is kept to a minimum, even on coarse surfaces, thanks to extra sound-deadening materials throughout the car.

One area where the NX 350h could improve is adaptive damping. It’s reserved for the F Sport variant, and its absence here feels noticeable when dealing with changing road textures or heavier loads. Still, for a front-wheel drive SUV without sporty pretensions, the balance it strikes is impressive.

Overall, this is a car that prioritises smoothness and stability. It’s not built for aggressive driving, but it delivers an easy, confident experience that matches the calm and premium feel of the interior.

Value Equation: What You Get for the Price

With a list price just under $80,000 before on-road costs, the NX 350h Sports Luxury may not seem like a bargain on paper, but dig a little deeper and it begins to make a strong case for itself. Unlike many of its European rivals, Lexus includes almost everything as standard. There’s no long list of expensive add-ons or premium packs required to get the features most buyers actually want.

Here’s what stands out from a value perspective:

• Generous equipment list: Heated and ventilated front seats, a 14-inch touchscreen, premium audio, head-up display, power tailgate, digital rear mirror, and advanced safety tech are all standard.
• No-charge interior options: The tan leather interior (Hazel, in Lexus terms) is included in the base price. The only cost option on this test car was the white paint.
• Strong hybrid economy: Lower fuel bills and no need to plug in make it a low-hassle option for buyers who want efficiency without complexity.

Ownership perks also enhance the value proposition. Lexus’ standard five-year warranty is competitive, and capped-price servicing at $595 per year for five years helps keep running costs in check. More importantly, the Lexus Encore program sweetens the deal with benefits like complimentary loan cars, pick-up and drop-off servicing, fuel discounts, and even hotel partnerships.

When compared with similarly priced models from BMW, Audi, or Volvo, which often charge extra for the same level of kit, the Lexus NX 350h begins to look like a more complete package. It may not be the cheapest SUV in its class, but it offers a lot for the money, especially for buyers looking for reliability, luxury, and low-stress ownership.

Verdict: Does the Lexus NX 350h Rise Above Its RAV4 Roots?

It’s easy to draw comparisons between the Lexus NX 350h and the Toyota RAV, after all, they share a platform and a similar hybrid powertrain. But spend time behind the wheel of the NX 350h Sports Luxury, and it becomes clear that this is a very different experience.

The NX delivers where it matters most in the luxury space: refinement, interior quality, comfort, and customer care. The cabin feels genuinely premium, the tech is polished and usable, and the drive experience is smooth and quiet. It’s not the fastest SUV in the segment, and the hybrid setup could benefit from a little more punch, but for everyday use, it’s efficient, well-mannered, and stress-free.

Yes, there are traces of its Toyota DNA under the surface, but Lexus has layered on enough of its own character and polish to justify the badge and the price. For buyers seeking a midsize luxury SUV that offers value, reliability, and comfort without shouting about it, the NX remains a smart and sophisticated choice.

It may not completely leave the RAV4 behind in terms of hardware, but in execution, finish, and ownership experience, it absolutely steps into its own.

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