2026 Lexus NX Hybrid

Lexus, the luxury arm of Toyota Motors, offers an expanding array of five-door crossovers available with internal combustion engines as well as self-charging, fuel extending gas-electric hybrids (also known as hybrid electric vehicles, or HEVs). Toyota help popularize this HEV segment with the introduction of the game-changing Prius 26 years ago in the U.S.

In the past few years, the number of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) in the Lexus portfolio has grown rapidly and with the recently introduced all-electric RZ, Lexus provides the widest assortment of electrified vehicles from an Asian Auto Pacific Luxury branded automaker here in the States.

Our tester this week, the NX crossover, arrives as a compact-sized product larger than the subcompact Lexus UX but smaller than the RX, the luxury automaker’s best-selling product of any size. The three-row TX rounds out the Lexus five-door crossover portfolio.

The compact NX, mid-size RX and full-size TX all include three propulsion options: a conventional internal combustion engine, self-charging HEV (denoted with a lowercase h suffix) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with extended all-electric miles (designated by an h+ endcap designate).

The NX debuted in the 2015 model year within the Lexus portfolio with a pair of gas-exclusive offerings and a gas-electric hybrid version. The second-generation arrived online in the 2022 model year, the same year the PHEV version debuted with a 37-mile range of pure electric travel before onboard hybrid technology kicks into gear delivering hundreds of additional miles. Our 2026 HEV tester derives from the second-generation redo/platform based upon a TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) unibody small car platform shared with its corporate cousin, the uber-popular RAV4 compact crossover (also available in an HEV format) which ranked as the best-selling vehicle (outside of pickup trucks) in 2024 here in the States.

Lexus provided a 2026 NX 350h gas-electric hybrid for testing with an all-wheel drive F Sport Handling trim. The major 2026 update NX 350h brings to the table is a front-wheel-drive variant joining the already existing all-wheel drive choice. The front-drive version saves about $1,550 compared to the all-wheel drive but for those living in upper mid-west snow country, the extra $1,550 rates as a worthy investment. The gas-exclusive NX and NX 450h+ PHEV continue solely as all-wheel-drive opportunities.

Also, Lexus quietly dropped the naturally aspirated, gas-exclusive four-cylinder NX 250 for 2026. Now, the turbocharged four-cylinder NX 350 stands as the entry point.

The conventional gas-powered NX 350 boasts four trim level offerings while our NX350h HEV includes eight trims. The 350h+ PHEV promotes three. The eight trims the NX 350h brings to the table include: Base, Premium, Luxury and F Sport Handling all offering either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Lots of factory options await those seeking extra bling. The compact NX arrives with two rows of seating standard. No need trying to shoehorn third-row seating in a vehicle this size.

As with most Toyota gas-electric hybrid products, the NX350h’s HEV design qualifies as a ‘full hybrid,’ delivering improved fuel economy numbers compared to ‘mild’ hybrid designs. A Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FHEV) employs a larger DC battery pack and can operate in pure electric mode for very short distances at low speeds thanks in part to a pair of on-board electric/traction motors. An ‘EV’ button near the electronic parking brake lift-tab summons the limited run EV mode. Less expensive ‘mild’ electric vehicles (MHEV) use smaller motors and battery packs to assist the transmission and engine, but don’t directly power the wheels. Mild hybrids deliver less impressive miles per gallon returns with a lower initial upfront cost.

Superior fuel economy numbers without the worry or hassle of nightly wall socket plug-ins continues supporting HEV sales. Our all-wheel drive NX35h averages an impressive 41 miles per gallon in city travel and 37 mpg highway. Add one mile additional to these figures if purchasing the front-wheel drive version. How does this compare to the standard, gas-exclusive all-wheel-drive NX350? Those numbers land at 21/28 respectively.

In most conditions, the electric motors motivate the NX 350h from a standing start with the IC engine kicking in about 10 miles per hour in a seamless handoff fashion. If one listens closely, the engine audibly emits its hum with no herky-jerky motion encountered. More than enough horsepower is available for a vehicle this size.

Two permanent magnet synchronous motors (one 134 horsepower unit up front, one 40 horsepower unit rear) help generate electrical traction. The duo teams with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder internal combustion engine creating a total horsepower of 240. The electric motors power from a 70-cell, 259-volt, direct current lithium-ion battery pack producing 179 kilowatts.

The NX 350h HEV and NX450h+ PHEV connect up with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) where the NX 350 gas-exclusive trim utilizes an eight-speed automatic. The smooth-shifting CVT transmission prioritizes fuel economy over sporty performance and often pairs with HEV engines. Premium gas (91 octane or higher) is recommended to fill the 14.5-gallon tank.

Lexus selected a lithium-ion designed battery pack to power both the NX 350h and NX 450h+ due largely to its lighter design and greater energy density. It’s the number one choice within the EV community. When the Toyota Prius HEV debuted in the U.S. a quarter century ago, a Nickel Metal Hydride battery design (NiMH) was the go-to choice. The NiMH design adds additional weight but withstands extremely low temperatures, recycles easier and costs less. However, the Lithium-ion design discharges faster. Lexus and Toyota still utilize the NIMH design in many current HEV vehicles with larger footprints and size. Almost every other automakers opt for lithium-ion designs in HEVs and EVs.

Our all-wheel drive, 2026 NX350h F Sport Handling started at $54,200. Notable factory options include power-folding rear seats ($1,030), front cross traffic alert ($250), Panoramic glass roof ($500), wireless phone charger ($75) and premium exterior paint ($595). With a $1,295 destination charge, the bottom line reached $61,695. By comparison, a conventional NX350 powered by the conventional four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive checks in at $46,120 while a front-wheel drive NX350h starts at $45,470, marking the first time an NX hybrid variant ranks as the lowest-priced NX offering.

 Our F Sport Handling adds adaptive variable suspension, heated front seats with enhanced bolsters and 20-inch split five spoke alloy wheels with a dark grey metallic finish. The 2026 model year marks the debut of F Sport availability within the HEV version, previously only offered only with PHEV and ICE NX versions.

In 2021, Lexus finer tuned its ‘F Sport’ accessories and higher-performance ‘F sub brand’, merging the two and creating four F levels or tiers: F Sport (Design), F Sport (Handling), F Sport (Performance) and just plain F. Think of just plain F as the highest performing of the quad adorning track-ready brakes, advanced aerodynamics and lighter weight building materials straight from the factory. The capital “F” references Japan’s Fuji Speedway where Lexus incubates and tests these concepts before release to the masses.

Our tester’s red and black two-tone interior meshed nicely with soft-touch dashboard materials. Plenty of headroom abounds front and back while each door features a ceiling handle helping egress and ingress. Two adults fit with optimal comfort with row sectioned off in two pod-like regions compliments of the vertical transmission floor hump. Rear seat power down via buttons within the cargo area’s right wall and add a heated feature for an extra $1,030.

The NX locates the electronic on/off starter button higher up on the dash then many rivals who place this button just right of the steering column. Our tester’s circular orb located on the right edge of the multi-function screen, an easy, unobstructed reach for drivers.

A larger, optional, 14-inch multi-information display graced our upper center dash with touch-sensitive interaction and the HVAC system built into the lower area. A 9.8-inch multi-information screen arrives standard in Base Premium and F-Sport Handling while the Luxury trim includes the larger screen standard. The screen’s lower portion includes a built-in twist/push knob for on/off/volume but no station select knob. Two colorful, tactile dials register dual front-size temperature settings with a digital number inside. Apple CarPlay wireless integration comes standard as does Android Auto Capabilities allowing Smartphones easy interaction with the user-friendly screen.

A prominent, knob-like twist dial also near the screen’s lower-level summons three drive modes: Eco, Sport and Sport Plus each of which casts their own spells onto the digital instrument panel artwork.

The far-left dash beyond the power-tilt-and-telescope steering wheel include push buttons for the fuel-tank and rear hatch releases, a far more convenient location than the floor, left of the bucket seat.

The electric transmission shifter between the buckets seats includes a small palm-like handle for summoning reverse, drive and neutral with a gentle tap. Park engages when pushing a top-side ‘P’. Another offering, ‘S’ provides a more interactive, sports mode opportunity.

As with all HEVs, the regenerative braking process self-charges the on-board DC battery pack helping extend fuel economy by creating electricity via mechanical kinetic energy naturally created during the braking process. Each time the foot brake engages, regenerative braking occurs without a second thought from the driver. All EVs and PHEVs benefit from this technology.

The lower central dash includes a flat home for Smartphones to rest and wirelessly recharge (a $75 extra, should be included in this luxury-branded vehicle) with a small green light illuminated when undergoing ion exchanges. This plate also slides inward and out of sight if desired adding a level of phone privacy. Above and below the retracting plate, USB type C and Type A plug ports providing another power outlet source for portable electronics.

All four side doors include pressure-sensitive tactile thump-operated toggle pads when exiting the vehicle rather than a traditional mechanical lever. New muscle memory to learn as a gentler touch gets the job done.

As with any self-respecting Lexus-branded vehicle, the front end boasts a ‘spindle grille’ with an hour-glass-like shape, just cinched proportionately closer towards its topside. The black, diamond-like inside pattern features the Lexus L logo. Checkmark-like daytime running lights merge with the cinch with triple-beam, bejeweled LED lights below with amber turn signal lines just above the check marks. In back, a narrow red light bar travels east to west along the lower hatch when the sun goes down. Flanking the ends of the bar, familiar left-side checkmark and right-side mirrored checkmark doubling as taillights.

Puddle lamps below side view mirrors project the F Sport logo to the pavement at night when exiting and entering. Strap-like side door openers illuminate with pen lighting at night and include touch-sensitive assistance in line with a relatively high belt/character line. Wheel wells include a curved structure rather than a squared design found in many larger, truck-like sport utility vehicles.

During the 2024 calendar year, Lexus enjoyed its best sales year ever in its 35-year history in North America, pumping out 345,669 units, a 7.2 percent increase from the previous 12-month cycle.

The NX 350h also qualifies for ‘LexusCare,’ including complimentary first and second maintenance visits at six-month (or 5,000 miles) and 12-month (10,000 miles) intervals at participating dealerships. This includes inspection of all fluid levels, tire rotation/pressure check, brake pad/rotor/caliper check and road testing. Plus, a free car wash.

2026 Lexus NX350h AWD
Price as tested: $61,655
Engine: 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder hybrid
Total System Horsepower: 240
Wheelbase:105.91 inches
Length: 183.5 inches
Width: 73.4 inches
Height: 65.7 inches
Curb Weight:4,080 pounds
City/Highway Fuel Economy: 41 city/ 37 highway
Assembly: Japan