Lexus NX350h review finds hybrid power and improved infotainment escalates SUV from field

Hollywood A-listers couldn’t make hybrids cool, but the Lexus NX350h combines greener efficiency with pure luxury.

Taxi drivers were the first to take hybrids seriously.

Hollywood A-listers also looking to make a statement got behind the wheel of Toyota’s Prius … but not even the likes of Jessica Alba, Jennifer Aniston or Leonardo DiCaprio could improve those gawky looks.

Toyota has expanded its hybrid range to more conventional shapes, and its luxury arm, Lexus, has followed in its tyre prints.

And there is no better time to be behind the wheel of frugal vehicles. A hefty amount of Australians agree.

So far this year, nearly half of all Lexus vehicles sold Down Under have some form of electrification.

The NX mid-size SUV has become one of the prestige brand’s most popular vehicles, and the all-new model addresses some of the greatest flaws in the outgoing variants to position itself as a leader in the pack.

Prices for the Lexus NX350H 2WD Sports Luxury start from about $80,000 drive-away.

WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

KEL: From the exterior it reeks of prestige. Improved lines in profile make it look smoother than the old model, but wow that grille is large. And what happened to the internal door handle?

GRANT: That’s the new “E-latch” which uses a button rather than a conventional handle. The new feature signifies how far this new NX has come.

KEL: Most importantly that mouse-style infotainment controller has gone. You can rejoice.

GRANT: It remained my greatest criticism in just about any Lexus vehicle. The old system was cumbersome and took the driver’s attention away from the road – yet the new design has taken a gigantic leap forward.

KEL: Possibly too far for people like me. I initially found the operations challenging.

GRANT: New is the 14-inch touchscreen that controls all the infotainment and climate control, while thumb pads on the steering wheel enable quick access to various menus. It took me a few drives before getting a handle (pun intended) on things.

Lavish cabin features of the Lexus NX350H 2WD Sports Luxury.

WHAT DID YOU LIKE?

KEL: Everything oozes luxury. Typically quiet on the move, I really love the fit and finish of a Lexus and the NX feels more modern than some of brand’s other models we have driven.

GRANT: Being in the Sports Luxury model improves the features list and adds nearly $8000 to the bottom line price of $72,000 for the entry level hybrid two-wheel drive version. The benefit of upgrading includes a pumping 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, colour head-up display and a better driver’s display.

KEL: Having the heated and ventilated seats is also awesome, along with the power tailgate. It was easy to pair my phone to use Apple CarPlay plus it had the wireless charger.

GRANT: Boot space is also generous at more than 500L. Our weekly grocery shop couldn’t fill it, and the power folding rear seats drop 60-40 so you can haul larger equipment or furniture.

Lexus has introduced the “E-Latch” system in its NX350H which uses a button rather than a conventional internal handle.

WHAT DIDN’T YOU LIKE?

KEL: While I get the modern appeal, what’s wrong with a normal door handle? Even from the outside you had to pull a button to open the door.

GRANT: Are you still using a BlackBerry? The button for a handle is funky, and it also stops the door being opened if a cyclists or vehicle is approaching.

KEL: That makes more sense and I did see you could override it if there was a flat battery. On the first drive I went to school pick-up and couldn’t find how to let our youngest inside. We’ve driven the latest BMW iX and I’ve found the handles, which use a similar system, more intuitive.

GRANT: I know you found some of the tech challenging and the thumb pads were also finicky to get the radar cruise control operating. I wear polarised sunglasses so using the pads combined with the head-up display was difficult to see.

Kel and Grant Edwards.

HOW WAS THE DRIVE?

KEL: Serene and smooth, whether on the highway, navigating hilly country terrain or around town, I really liked the experience behind the wheel.

GRANT: Lexus has traditionally done comfort well, and the NX is no exception. Keen drivers would find the steering numb and the body control soft, and those who like to corner hard would be better served by the F Sport version that has adaptive variable suspension for more athletic handling.

KEL: Getting away from the lights it was reasonable without being rapid.

GRANT: The petrol engine and electric motor work in tandem without any driver intervention. You can hear when the engine kicks in, but it’s not intrusive. It will make 100km/h from standstill in 8.7 seconds (one second faster in all-wheel drive models), which is fairly pedestrian.

KEL: The drive was easy and relaxed which ticks the boxes for me, and I like how there’s no plugging in while still getting the ‘green’ vote.

GRANT: Hybrid systems like this offer a good solution for those not ready to jump into the electric world. Our average fuel usage was a thrifty 5.8 litres/100km … impressive for a vehicle of this size, although it does run on premium unleaded.

Fuel consumption during our test saw the Lexus NX350H 2WD Sports Luxury consume less than six litres of premium unleaded for every 100km.

WOULD YOU BUY ONE?

KEL: Given the super high levels of luxury and refined driving experience, I’d have no hesitation investing the $80,000 if I was shopping at that level. The combination of equipment and low fuel consumption is a winner.

GRANT: The NX offers a hybrid niche compared to petrol-powered alternatives in the Audi Q5, BMW X3 or a Mercedes-Benz GLC for the same money. My preference would be the F Sport to improve the handling, but it’s a high quality performer for families chasing luxury-laden prestige.