Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photography by Adrenaline Lifestyles
This week we are in the 2026 Lexus NX 350h. Lexus redesigned the NX model in 2022, so the 2026 model was not changed much. I was excited to get a chance behind the wheel and see what the 2026 Lexus NX 350h Luxury had to offer.
The Lexus NX is a compact luxury crossover SUV sold by Lexus, which is the luxury division of Toyota. The name NX stands for Nimble Crossover and is lives up to the name. It debuted in late 2014 at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition as an entry-level crossover just below the mid-size RX crossover. The second-generation NX was revealed in June of 2021, and in came the 2.4-liter T24A-FTS turbocharged four-cylinder engine 350.
New for the NX 350h, the F SPORT Handling package is now available. I love the exterior look of the NX with the F SPORT gloss black, spindle mesh grille that sets the tone for the attention Lexus vehicles typically grab. I loved the blacked-out accents around the window lines, gloss black power-folding side mirrors and the gloss black roof rails. The NX 350h sits on 20-inch gloss-black double five-spoke alloy wheels. The triple beam headlamps were included with daytime running lights and LED tail lamps. The model that we received came in an Infrared hue.
The interior was just as immaculate with soft-touch materials, perforated leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, an F SPORT aluminum shift knob, tonneau cover and black open pore wood trim. The perforated leather front sport seats had extremely comfortable back support. You will also notice the sport/race feel of the F Sport edition with the aluminum sport pedals, aluminum door sill plates and dark aluminum graphite interior trim. The panorama moonroof, digital rear view mirror, wireless phone charger and thematic ambient illumination all added to the luxurious nature of the vehicle.
The 14-inch infotainment Lexus Interface touchscreen display and the heads up display was much to my liking. The NX 350h comes with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and a free 3-month platinum trial of Sirius XM that is loud and clear coming through the premium sound system. The sound was pretty close to studio quality.
The cabin of the NX 350h was roomy with plenty of cargo space as well. The second-row seats split and fold in a 60/40 configuration. The rear seats offer recline adjustability and can be optioned with a power-folding feature. With the rear seats folded, the NX makes a road trip, shopping trip or grocery store run a breeze.
The NX 350h comes with a 2.5-liter, 4 Cylinder Engine that kicks out 240 hp. We had the all-wheel drive model with the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT is an automated transmission that can change through a continuous range of gear ratios. The F Sport package delivers the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVT). The AVT is a sport tuned, electronic suspension system that adjusts handling while pushing the limits in Sport and Sport+ modes, and increasing comfort while cruising in Normal and Eco modes. The NX accelerated nice off the line and handled well in the corners. It is not intimidating but aggressive enough to turn your head. As a hybrid, it was great on gas delivering 41 mpg in the city, 37 mpg in the highway and 39 mpg combined. The Hybrid model is a great option for those like myself that have range anxiety when in electric vehicles.
The Lexus Safety System + 3.0 Lane Tracing Assist, brings adaptive cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, 8 airbags, lane departure alert with lane-keeping assist and adaptive high-beam headlamps and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic assist. The Lexus Safety System comes with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Intelligent High Beam (IHB), and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist.
2026 Lexus NX 350h Luxury comes with a great warranty package. You have 4-year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper with roadside assistance, a 6-year/70,000 mile powertrain coverage, a 8-year-year/100,000 mile hybrid warranty and a hybrid traction battery warranty for 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. The complimentary maintenance includes your first two scheduled service intervals at 6 months / 5,000 miles and 12 months / 10,000 miles through the factory-backed LexusCare Program. There is also 24-hour roadside assistance that is covered in 4 years with unlimited mileage, offering 24/7 towing and flat-tire assistance and 6-year corrosion perforation protection coverage, regardless of mileage. That is pretty reliable coverage in my book.
The Lexus NX 350h sits in a highly competitive class alongside the Genesis GV70, Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW X3 (X3 M40i) and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Class (Mercedes-AMG GLC63 Coupe). The NX stands out amongst this class due to the reliability of the Lexus badge, its residual value, and premium features. The model that we tested comes in at $59,830.00. I really enjoyed the 2026 Lexus NX 350h. It is a luxurious compact SUV that has great tech, smooth styling and a lot of safety features. Enjoy our photo gallery.
