2023 Lexus NX Performance

A more powerful turbo-four and a new plug-in hybrid have made the latest Lexus NX a better match for the competition. However, the value option is the base 2.5-liter four-pot. This model is the only one to offer standard front-wheel drive, although an all-wheel-drive system is optionally available. In AWD guise, it takes a rather tardy 8.6 seconds to get from 0 to 60 mph. Every other variant gets standard AWD. The new NX 350 is a better choice, delivering 275 hp and being capable of a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds, making it more than half a second quicker than the outgoing NX.

The first hybrid, the NX 350h, is good for 239 hp and takes 7.2 seconds for the benchmark sprint. However, the big news is the new NX 450h+ hybrid which is now easily the best performer of the NX lineup. It produces a combined output of 302 hp; Lexus claims a six-second 0-60 time. That makes it as quick as the BMW X3 xDrive 30i, but not nearly as quick as high-performance versions of the X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. All models in the NX range are limited to a top speed of 124 mph, but the F Sport variants can go on to 127 mph.

When properly equipped, the new NX can tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The outgoing Lexus NX was never a class leader in terms of performance and the same is true of the new model. However, it's a better bet than before, as we found on our test drive. The base NX 250 uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine sans forced induction and it delivers 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine is exclusively paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The NX 350 uses the same eight-speeder but it comes with a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. Those are healthy increases over last year's 2.0-liter turbo-four which made 235 hp and 258 lb-ft.

The hybrid lineup begins with the NX 350h. It pairs a 2.5-liter inline-four with two high-torque electric drive motor-generators and a continuously variable transmission. This model makes 239 total system horsepower, a 20-percent increase over the previous NX hybrid. An independent electric motor powers the rear wheels when necessary. Finally, the new NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid also uses a 2.5-liter inline-four and CVT transmission. The PHEV system helps it deliver 302 hp, making it easily the most powerful model in the range.

Gas NX 250 models return 26/33/28 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 25/32/28 mpg with AWD. That's only 1 mpg better than the base BMW X3 overall, and the X3 is far quicker, so we don't think that the NX 250's efficiency adequately makes up for its rather sluggish performance.

For the NX 350, expect best figures of 22/29/25 mpg. The hybrid NX 350h is far more efficient with figures of 41/37/39 mpg, while the NX 450h Plus manages 36 mpg on gas alone or 84 MPGe. This PHEV model also has an all-electric range of 37 miles.

All NX models have a 14.5-gallon gas tank, which should allow the base model to cruise for around 406 miles before needing to fill up.

The PHEV model comes with a standard 3.3-kW onboard charger which can fully charge the battery in 4.5 hours. However, an optional 6.6-kW Expedited Onboard Charger with a charging current of 240V reduces that time to 2.5 hours.