2025 Lexus NX 350h Review + Video

One of the snobbier remarks made to me while testing the 2025 Lexus NX 350h was that it was nothing but a “fancy Toyota RAV4.”

It’s true that this Lexus shares a platform with that popular Toyota; and everything that makes the RAV4 Hybrid so good does the same for the gas-electric NX: its reputation for reliability, easy efficiency, and the fact that it’s built in Canada are all positives. And maybe you’re among the masses who are familiar with the RAV4 but have a bit more budget to work with and want to upgrade your SUV without sacrificing the efficiency or reliability you’ve grown so accustomed to.

In that case, the Lexus NX 350h might be the next logical step because it offers all the good stuff its corporate cousin delivers, but makes you feel like you levelled up because the overall experience is much more dignified.

Styling 8 / 10

The NX is incredibly popular and will never stand out because it’s so common, but this version was facelifted in 2022 for a stronger, more cohesive look. The lovely shade of Nori Green Pearl metallic paint on this tester looks almost black in the shade but sparkles beautifully in the sun and helps it stand out from the sea of silver or grey crossovers. I wish the wheels filled out the arches a little more, but that’s admittedly a non-issue. In general, the NX is attractive and looks nothing like the Toyota with which it shares a platform.

Inside, some of the features that help make it look more upscale, like customizable ambient lighting, are included in pricey options packages, and I wish more of them were included as standard. Mixed textures and colours help, but there’s still too much glossy black plastic getting in the way of making it look and feel even better.

Power 8 / 10

The powertrain is pretty much the same as the one in the popular RAV4 Hybrid. It uses a 2.5L four-cylinder engine to go with two electric motor-generators under the hood, and another in the back to drive the rear wheels. The only difference in the Lexus is that total system output is 240 hp, an increase over the RAV4’s 219 hp. An automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) is paired with it and operates smoothly in the background.

The NX 350h has standard all-wheel drive (AWD) thanks to that electric motor in the back. In normal driving, the system predominantly drives the front wheels, using the gas engine and twin electric motors for motivation, but when more traction is needed the extra electric motor powers the rear wheels without a significant penalty on efficiency. The NX 350h can only drive on electric power alone in low-power situations like coasting, parking, or waiting at a stoplight, but it flips between gas and electric power (or a combination of both) without any intervention from the driver. 

Fuel Economy 9 / 10

The Lexus NX 350h’s fuel consumption is officially rated at 5.7 L/100 km in the city, 6.4 on the highway, and 6.0 combined. After about 700 km of driving, the indicated efficiency was 6.4 L/100 km, a bit worse than expected, but this test was in winter and the vehicle was riding on winter tires. Besides driving in eco mode, little needs to be done to operate the NX hybrid efficiently.

Driving Feel 8 / 10

The increased power isn’t enough to make the NX 350h a drag race winner, but it’s enough to make passing a slower vehicle and getting up to speed easy enough. The powertrain struggles a bit when full power is called for and can get quite noisy, but the NX is comfortable and easy to drive. The suspension is geared to ride on the softer, more luxurious side, but it remains composed and surprisingly nice to drive in most situations.

Safety 8 / 10

The Lexus NX 350h comes standard with a full suite of safety and driver assistance systems, including blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist (which prevents an occupant from opening the door if there’s an oncoming vehicle or cyclist), rear seat reminder, automatic high-beam control, pedestrian/bicycle/motorcyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep and steering assist.

While I’m grateful that all these features are included, the systems are too sensitive even in the least sensitive setting and are constantly firing off warnings and beeping at you when there’s no real danger, without always showing why. The cross-traffic alert, for example, continues to beep even though the threat is long gone, and the needless warnings force drivers to stop paying attention to safety warnings or turn them off entirely, which defeats their whole purpose.

Practicality 8 / 10

The trunk is big enough to hold 643 L of cargo, which expands to 1,328 L with the 60/40-split rear seats folded flat, which is notably less than the RAV4. The trunk’s liftover height is also relatively high, which means loading and unloading cargo takes more physical effort.

A large compartment under the centre console can be accessed from either side, and the door pockets are big enough for a water bottle, but the cabin could use some more small item storage.

Comfort 8 / 10

The Lexus NX has a comfortable, smooth ride, so passengers aren’t tossed around on rough roads. The seats are supportive for long drives, and the cabin is mostly roomy, at least for someone my height (5-foot-6).

User-Friendliness 8 / 10

The large touchscreen has been improved by adding a shortcut bar that’s always visible, even when using smartphone mirroring. This small change makes it much more user-friendly and less distracting. While most controls have been centralized in the touchscreen and there are few physical buttons left, the system is easy enough to navigate. Some menus could be simplified and some icons could be labelled better, but for the most part it doesn’t have a huge learning curve.

The touchpad controls on the steering wheel, however, aren’t intuitive, and changing any settings in the driver information display can be frustrating. I’m also not a huge fan of the gear selector, but the most frustrating user interface was the electronic door handles. This type of electronic latching door is released by trigger buttons and not traditional levers, which helps enable certain safety features like safe exit assist. But other automakers have similar features without needing to reinvent the door handle. Not a single passenger during this week-long test knew immediately how to open the door from the inside and needed an explanation. Something as easy as opening a door should not need an explanation, and if it does, that’s a failed design.

Features 7 / 10

The Lexus NX 350h feels a bit light on standard features because the ones most desirable for the luxury crossover experience are in expensive options packages. I would have liked to see more standard features, but that’s a common issue with most luxury automakers, so Lexus isn’t alone in charging extra.

Value 7 / 10

Because of the lack of standard features, the Lexus NX 350h ends up feeling a bit expensive for what it is. Pricing for the Lexus NX 350h starts at $56,415 plus the non-negotiable $2,205 destination fee, but the one tested here had an optional package worth more than $13,000. Yes, it includes a lot of features I consider essential, but it means an as-tested total of about $72,000 before tax but including destination, which seems a bit high.

The Verdict

The 2025 Lexus NX 350h isn’t perfect, but the issues are minor and don’t outweigh the otherwise excellent overall package. While this Lexus doesn’t feel as special or cohesive as some of its competitors, it’s more efficient than any of them and has them all beat with its reputation for efficiency and reliability. The Lexus NX 350h is a well-rounded crossover that’s a few small updates away from perfection. And as a bonus, it’s built locally at one of Toyota’s award-winning manufacturing facilities in Ontario.