Lexus NX 350h Review: A Balanced & Efficient Premium Hybrid SUV

If one were to judge it just by its styling, the Lexus NX 350h is miles ahead of the competition. However, cars need more than a pretty face in the extremely competitive luxury compact crossover SUV segment. 

As it turns out, the NX 350h has a lot more to offer — an advanced hybrid powertrain, superior fuel efficiency, and a modern, tech-laden interior. In this detailed review, we explore the design, performance, technology, and driving experience of the top-spec NX 350h, and see why it’s one of the most compelling options in its segment. 

The first thing that strikes you about the Lexus NX 350h is its design — elegant yet aggressive, a balance that Lexus seems to have mastered. The Sonic Quartz paint on our test model further accentuated this compact SUV’s sleek, angular bodywork. At the front, the massive spindle grille dominates, flanked by sharp LED headlamps with distinctive L-shaped DRLs. 

The front end of the NX 350h looks sportier and more compact than it actually is. However, the side profile reveals its actual size. Interestingly, the Lexus NX 350h is the longest SUV in its segment, measuring 4,660mm, which translates to a more spacious interior. This in fact makes it longer than the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, Mini Countryman & more.

It rides on sleek and classy 21-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, Lexus continues the sporty theme with L-shaped split LED tail lamps and a clean, streamlined bumper. The spoiler adds a dynamic touch, and the full-width LED light strip above the Lexus badge gives the car a futuristic edge. 

Inside, the NX 350h feels just as premium as its exterior promises. Decked in a dual-tone black and tan colour scheme, the cabin features high-quality materials, soft-touch surfaces, leather upholstery, and sophisticated wood trim on the door panels. 

The seats are plush and supportive, providing comfort for both short commutes and long-distance trips. The ventilation function ensures passengers stay comfortable even during the hot UAE summers.

The dashboard is dominated by a large 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, paired with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that delivers audiophile-level audio. Optional features like the wireless smartphone charger and a head-up display further add to the premium feel.

Under the hood, the Lexus NX 350h features a sophisticated hybrid powertrain. It combines a 2.5-litre inline-four petrol engine with two electric motors, producing a combined output of 240hp and 239Nm. While those numbers may not place it at the top of the performance charts, they are more than adequate for everyday driving in a compact crossover.

The hybrid system ensures smooth power delivery, and the transition between electric and petrol modes is virtually seamless. You can even drive in pure EV mode at speeds of up to 85 km/h. Lexus tuned the system to prioritize battery health, automatically starting the petrol engine to charge the battery when it dips below 30% SOC and capping it at around 80% SOC.

While the NX 350h’s 0-100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds won’t break any records, it delivers a refined, confident driving experience that suits its luxury character. The suspension is tuned for comfort, easily absorbing bumps and road imperfections, while the steering is precise and well-weighted. This makes the NX 350h easy to handle on both city streets and highways. 

The NX 350h maintains excellent traction on various surfaces thanks to its all-wheel-drive system. While it may not have the sharpness of some rivals in terms of handling, it excels in delivering a smooth and comfortable ride, which will appeal to most buyers in this segment.

Fuel efficiency is one of the Lexus NX 350h’s biggest strengths. With a 55-litre fuel tank and a claimed fuel efficiency of around 16km/l, this hybrid SUV offers an impressive range of over 800 km on a full tank.

In our real-world testing, we managed to cover 250 km on just a quarter tank of fuel, which is remarkable for an SUV of this size and capability. This level of fuel efficiency makes the NX 350h an attractive option for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint without sacrificing luxury or performance.

While most options in the luxury compact SUV segment end up being confused between performance and luxury, the Lexus NX350h has its priorities set straight. This one’s all about premium feel and luxury while being efficient and kinder to the environment. It does have a decent performance pedigree, but it isn’t all too shouty about it. It is a composed little SUV that does everything well. 

If you’re in the market for a compact luxury SUV that’s kinder to the environment, easy to drive and offers all the premium features you’d expect from Lexus, the NX 350h deserves serious consideration. 

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Prices for the Lexus NX350h hybrid start at AED 220,000. 

The Lexus NX is the longest SUV in its segment. While it is longer than the RAV4, both SUVs have the same width.

The Lexus NX 350 is a strong hybrid and hence is extremely fuel efficient. Lexus claims it has a fuel efficiency of 16km/l giving it a range of over 800 kilometres on a full tank. However, it could do more as we managed to clock 250 kilometres on a quarter tank of fuel.

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