2026 Lexus NX Hybrid Quick Review: I Finally Get Why People Buy These

As a car enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder, “Why?” when I see a ton of Lexus NXs all over the road. As in, why did someone choose that over a BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, or Audi Q5?

The 2026 Lexus NX 350h F Sport is arguably a rolling bit of irony, but the NX nameplate is one of the automaker’s best-selling models. It plays in the heart of the compact crossover market and dominates as a consistent player fighting in a three-way battle for sales supremacy. It’s built its reputation on reliability and efficiency.

After spending a week with the latest iteration, I get why. Not saying it excites me as an enthusiast, but at least I understand it better. Here’s why over 76,000 people bought Lexus NXs last year.

It’s funny, but I wanted to say the Lexus NX is an honest-to-goodness crossover, but frankly I’m not sure. The fact that an F-Sport Handling model exists—like my tester—kind of proves my point. The F-Sport Handling model’s gaping front end with squiggly piano-black plastic grille inserts, fat dual five-spoke wheels, and F-Sport high-back bucket front seats that hugged my 5-foot-10 frame all give it flair. The two-tone red-and-black interior, contrasting with the leather, felt rather out of place, and so did the new Infrared exterior color.

Over the course of a week and 407 miles of mixed driving, the hybrid powertrain averaged 34.3 mpg according to the onboard trip computer. Arguably, this thing sipped fuel. Factor in the same reason my mother, at one point, had a Lexus RX: proven reliability,  and the sales numbers no longer make you squint.

Absolutely, a BMW X3, a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, or even an Audi Q5, with just a turbo-four engine, will be more fun to drive than the NX. But none of them will be as efficient, and certainly not as bulletproof in terms of proven long-term reliability.

The 2.5-liter inline-four is paired with two electric motors (front and rear) along with an eCVT, which is fancy speak for a planetary gear set instead of a transmission, for a total combined system output of 240 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is now an option on the NX 350h, but the model tested had all-wheel drive, which added an electric motor to the rear axle.

It’s not particularly quick, but the instant torque from the electric motors gives the NX 350h more scoot off the line than one might expect. That surge of power fades quickly as speed increases. Worse, this powertrain, which is from the Toyota RAV4, isn’t particularly refined-sounding. Not exactly what you might expect in a Lexus. Then again, would you expect a two-tone red-and-black interior in a Lexus NX?

The engine does turn off and disengage quite often, more so than one might expect, considering this is not a plug-in hybrid. Yet, the system runs on electrons only a fair bit of the time. Particularly at low speeds around neighborhoods or in parking lots.

Inside—and aside from that two-tone interior—the high points include a real volume knob and defrost buttons, wireless Apple CarPlay that worked every single time, and a wireless smartphone charger that not only worked but also slid away to reveal a small hidden storage cubby one might never expect.

But at $61,655, including a $1,295 destination fee, the lack of front passenger lumbar support is unforgivable. Sitting inside the NX, especially when seated up front, there’s no way around the fact that this thing feels narrow. A Volvo XC60 or BMW X3 doesn’t feel this way. 

That brings me to the final point: at this price point, a Volvo XC60 shames the Lexus NX in terms of refinement, materials, fit and finish, and overall luxury feel. A BMW X3 shames the Lexus in terms of dynamics.

But while not exciting, not particularly refined, and somewhat confused in F-Sport Handling spec, the Lexus has earned its place in the triple-crown sales race by building a reputation and standing on it for reliability and fuel efficiency. If those two things are the key criteria on a shopping list, the NX tops the list of options. Now I get it.

Lexus provided The Drive with a seven-day loan of this vehicle for the purpose of writing this review. 

2026 Lexus NX350h F Sport Handling Specs