By: Aoun Syed
August 14, 2026
Lexus has always been known for making well-built cars that provide an exquisite level of luxury. The 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ is no exception to this. Its comfortable driving dynamics, coupled with a number of luxury features and a plug-in hybrid setup designed to save a considerable amount of money on fuel, make it a great compact crossover SUV. We had the opportunity to test out the NX 450h+ for an entire week to see for ourselves just how well it holds up to Lexus values.
Powering our tester is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain pushing out a more than adequate combined 304 horsepower. The NX 450h+ tends to favour the electric motors during everyday driving, and that alone provides a moderate amount of acceleration and power during everyday driving, with a very peppy feel during sudden acceleration inputs. Depending on the electric-drive mode, if more power is requested, the gasoline engine kicks in and provides an impressive amount of additional power. It is worth noting that once the plug-in battery is depleted, the NX transitions into hybrid operation, and the additional acceleration available with a fuller battery is noticeably reduced.
Drive the NX and you are reminded why you paid the price tag. The suspension is well refined and provides a smooth ride, with bumps either not being noticeable or being greatly dampened to the point of becoming a non-issue. The steering feels stiff with little play, is responsive to inputs and remains mostly the same regardless of the drive mode. Where the drive modes do make a noticeable difference is in how well body roll is handled, with a considerable reduction in Sport+ mode. The brakes are just as strong as the powertrain and provide exceptional stopping power, with regenerative braking providing enough force on its own to considerably slow the car down in Eco mode.
The exterior of the NX 450h+ has the right amount of sleekness, with a healthy amount of contours that are not overbearing. The headlights are partial LEDs, with the turn signals relying on traditional incandescent bulbs, while the taillights are full LED and feature a split lightbar design that comes off as more aggressive than the usual single rear lightbar seen on other vehicles. Our tester came equipped with the optional F Sport 2 package, which features a more aggressive front grille accompanied by a more aggressive front bumper and large 20-inch gloss black wheels, all wrapped in Lexus’s Infrared colour, which tells the world that this is not like the other NXs you see on the road.
Of course, when it comes to Lexus, it is what is on the inside that counts, and the NX 450h+ is no stranger to this, with its comfortable NuLuxe seating providing the right amount of support to keep you bolstered without feeling suffocated, soft-touch interior materials in places you would normally not touch, and an overall fit and finish that spares no expense. It is not overtly spacious, but the overall front-seat experience makes you forget about that. A lot of the climate controls are relegated to the infotainment system but are easy to access at all times, with the main temperatures being controlled by physical knobs that are smooth to operate with a bit of resistance to make it feel like they are actually doing something instead of freely spinning. The power-adjustable seats and steering column, paired with the driver’s seat memory settings, make adjustments between up to three drivers effortless, and an entry/exit assist gives each driver a comfortable and personalized entry and exit experience with zero fuss.
Towards the back, it is a slightly different story due to the proportions of this NX 450h+. Rear legroom and headroom are adequate, but taller passengers might struggle a little. There are rear heated seats and USB charging to make up for this shortcoming, but compared with some other luxury compact SUVs, it falls a bit short. Rear cargo room is adequate for most use cases for a crossover of this size, especially with the seats folded flat.
In a market where more affordable non-luxury offerings come with an extensive list of technological features, Lexus still stays ahead of the curve to once again justify the luxury price tag. Front and centre is the impressively large 14-inch touchscreen display, with clean, crisp visuals and an easy-to-use interface with persistent climate-control touch buttons at the bottom of the display. In addition to the seven-inch Multi Information Display, there is also a head-up display that does more than just show the speed and safety-assist status. It shows what button your finger is hovering over on the steering wheel, allowing you to ensure the right button is pressed without taking your eyes off the road. Other notable features include an impressively clear 10-speaker sound system and ambient interior lighting that can be adjusted to many different colours, with the option to have different colours per interior zone.
Being a plug-in hybrid, the NX 450h+ excels in fuel efficiency as well, with Natural Resources Canada rating it at 6.3 L/100 km city and 7.1 L/100 km highway for a combined rating of 6.6 L/100 km. During our test, we achieved 6.5 L/100 km with a combination of both city and highway driving in Hybrid mode, while switching to a combination of EV and Hybrid operation allowed us to achieve 3.8 L/100 km with an adequate electric-only range of approximately 60 km. The battery can also be fully charged overnight using a standard 110V outlet, provided you plug it in during the early evening hours.
Pricing for the base trim of this luxury crossover, the NX 350, comes in at approximately $58,230 before taxes and fees, but if you want the plug-in variant with the F SPORT 2 package, our tester came in at $76,086.08 before taxes. The tester’s price label lists a $59,990 base MSRP, $13,750 in options and a final vehicle price of $76,086.08 after delivery, destination and listed fees.
The NX 450h+ is truly an underrated luxury crossover that is often overlooked. Its robust powertrain, well-put-together interior and plenty of unique technology make it a serious contender for someone who wants a luxury crossover SUV that stands out from the rest while not paying as much in fuel costs compared with its non-hybrid competition.
Vehicle Specs
Segment: Luxury Compact Crossover SUV
Powertrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid
Output: 304 hp combined
Transmission: eCVT
Drivetrain: AWD-e
EV Range: 60 km
Fuel Economy: 6.3 / 7.1 / 6.6 L/100 km city/highway/combined
Observed: 6.5 L/100 km Hybrid / 3.8 L/100 km EV-Hybrid
As Tested: $76,086.08 + taxes
