Lexus has unveiled the next generation of the NX, one of its flagship SUVs, and the big news for buyers isn't just the new design. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid can now, according to preliminary European data, travel more than 100 kilometers on the WLTP cycle without starting the gasoline engine. This brings it closer to the way electric cars are used during the workweek, with the gasoline engine as a backup for longer trips.
Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, and the NX is its compact premium SUV and a globally very important model: from 2014 to the end of July 2026, around 1,9 million units were sold in more than 90 countries and regions.
The new car is 4.690 millimeters long, 1.865 millimeters wide and 1.660 millimeters tall, with a wheelbase of 2.690 millimeters, according to Toyota's website. That puts it squarely in line with models like the BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
The biggest technical change in the NX 450h+ version is the lithium-ion battery, which has been increased from 18 to 23 kWh. The system with a 2,5-liter gasoline engine develops 307 hp, acceleration to 100 km/h takes 6,1 seconds, and the permissible trailer weight is 1.500 kilograms.
More importantly, this is the first Lexus plug-in hybrid to support DC fast charging: from 10 to 80 percent of the battery should arrive in about 30 minutes. The NX 350h, a classic hybrid that does not require a charger, also remains in the range, it says on site Lexus.
The declared range of more than 100 kilometers gives Lexus a clear range argument. For comparison, BMW lists around 80 to 88 kilometers for the X3 30e according to WLTP, while Volvo lists around 79 kilometers of combined electric range for the XC60 plug-in hybrid. These figures are not a guarantee of everyday performance: speed, temperature, heating or air conditioning, tires and driving style can significantly reduce the range. The Lexus advantage will therefore have to be confirmed by independent tests.
The changes aren't limited to the powertrain. Lexus is announcing a new platform and stiffer body, a lowered battery position, a lower driver's seat, a smaller steering wheel, and chassis tuning aimed at a better balance of comfort and handling. The cabin gets a cleaner layout and a greater reliance on digital controls, which will divide an audience that still appreciates physical switches. The model is expected to start arriving in global markets from the end of 2026, while Coach for the UK, sales are expected to start in early 2027 and approximate starting prices under £50.000 for the NX 350h, or around £52.000 for the NX 450h+.
Article prepared with the support of AI tools.
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