Quick Highlights:
- NX350h now offers front-wheel drive and returns 40 mpg combined.
- NX450h+ adds a Premium trim and dual-voltage charging. Entry price drops by nearly $4,000.
- F SPORT Handling is available on all NX models. More sport options for buyers.
- NX250 exits the lineup, and NX350 now starts the range at $46,120.
Lexus has quietly overhauled the 2026 NX lineup, putting the spotlight squarely on crossovers. The IS 300, IS 350, and IS 500 are gone, leaving the brand’s focus on vehicles people actually drive every day. The NX250 has been dropped, and the NX350 steps in with a turbocharged engine that finally gives the entry-level model some real punch.
For the first time, the hybrid NX350h is available in front-wheel drive, sacrificing a fraction of speed for improved efficiency. Every model can now carry the F SPORT Handling package, the plug-in NX450h+ comes with dual-voltage charging, and the new Premium trims make higher-end features easier to access without jumping straight to the top. Lexus isn’t just refreshing the NX—it’s quietly repositioning it to take over this segment.
Powertrain Lineup: More Options, More Efficiency
NX250 is no longer part of the lineup. The NX350 is now the base model. It comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 275 hp (279 PS / 202 kW) and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) of torque. Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic with standard all-wheel drive. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and achieves 24 mpg combined.
The NX350h hybrid now comes with front-wheel drive. The 2.5-liter engine and two electric motors generate 240 hp (243 PS / 179 kW). FWD models do 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds and return 40 mpg combined. AWD models reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds with 39 mpg combined.
The NX450h+ plug-in hybrid combines the 2.5-liter engine with three electric motors and an 18-kWh battery. Total output is 302 hp (306 PS / 225 kW) and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm). Electric-only range is 37 miles. All PHEVs come with dual-voltage charging cables. Level 2 charging takes about three hours. The new Premium trim lowers the starting price by nearly $4,000 compared with last year’s Luxury trim.
Trim Expansion and Features
F SPORT Handling now appears throughout the NX line, with sport-tuned suspension, special interior accents, bolstered seats, and aggressive exterior appearance. Outside paint differences are the dramatic Infrared paint (595) and the additional offering of Ultra White.
The NX450h+ Premium trim ($59,105) swaps in the addition of heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, a moonroof, digital rearview mirror, ten-speaker audio system, and 14-inch infotainment display- delivering a high-end comfort in a more affordable package.
Interior, Comfort, and Technology
The NX cabin puts the driver at the centre of the controls. Seats are available in NuLuxe on lower trims and leather on higher trims, and interior colours include Black, Palomino, Rioja Red, and Macadamia. Thematically designed ambient lighting offers 14 nature-inspired modes, including Rain Forest, Waterfall, and Sunset, which provide a subtle mood to the interior.
Technology prioritizes convenience and connectivity. Standard comes with a 9.8-inch touchscreen, and the option to have a 14-inch display on higher trims. The interior has six USB ports and it is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Digital Key enables the owners to use their smartphone as a car key. The Intelligent Assistant answers voice commands to navigate, use multimedia and climate control, and Remote Connect allows the driver to remotely lock or unlock doors and monitor vehicle conditions.
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 takes care of safety. The options are Pre-Collision System and Pedestrian Detection, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Proactive Driving Assist, which are all aimed to ensure that the driver is mindful and assisted in the real-life circumstances on the road.
Pricing and Trims
| Model | 2026 MSRP | Change (Amount / %) |
| NX 350 AWD | $46,120 | +$220 / +0.48% |
| NX 350 AWD Premium | $48,045 | +$1,025 / +2.18% |
| NX 350 AWD Luxury | $52,185 | +$650 / +1.26% |
| NX 350 AWD F SPORT Handling | $52,095 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 350h AWD | $47,020 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 350h AWD Premium | $48,945 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 350h AWD Luxury | $53,085 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 350h AWD F SPORT Handling | $55,495 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 350h FWD | $45,470 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 350h FWD Premium | $47,395 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 350h FWD Luxury | $51,535 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 350h FWD F SPORT Handling | $53,945 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 450h+ AWD Premium | $59,105 | -$3,310 / -5.31% |
| NX 450h+ AWD Luxury | $63,035 | $0 / 0% |
| NX 450h+ AWD F SPORT Handling | $64,125 | $0 / 0% |
Verdict
The 2026 Lexus NX feels like a calculated move in the compact luxury segment. Having lost the base NX250, Lexus has propelled the NX350 and hybrid versions ahead, with more power, increased efficiency, and the option of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The NX450h+ has been made affordable in a new Premium trim and F SPORT Handling is no longer limited to certain models.
Compared to its competitors such as BMW X3, Audi Q5, Acura RDX and Volvo XC60, NX is unique due to the range of its offerings. It may be used as a practical every day driver, a hybrid-efficient commuter, or a more sporty crossover with a F SPORT package. A mix of modernised powertrains, technology, and inside comfort have made the 2026 NX one of the most multi-purpose choices in its category without resorting to flashy claims and tricks.
Source: Lexus
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