As a car enthusiast, I can’t help but wonder, “Why?” When I see a lot of Lexus NXs on the road. Like, why would anyone choose this over the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, or Audi Q5?
2026 Lexus NX 350h F Sport It’s certainly a matter of irony, but the NX nameplate is one of the automaker’s best-selling models. It plays at the center of the compact crossover market and continues to dominate as a player in a three-way battle for sales supremacy. It has built its reputation on reliability and efficiency.
After spending a week with the latest iteration, I understood why. Not saying it excites me as an enthusiast, but at least I understand it better. That’s why more than 76,000 people bought a Lexus NX last year.
It’s funny, but I wanted to say that the Lexus NX is an honest-to-goodness crossover, but frankly I’m not convinced. The fact that an F-Sport handling model exists – like my tester – proves my point. F-Sport Handling The model’s gaping front end and squiggly piano-black plastic grille insert, thick dual five-spoke wheels, and F-Sport high-back bucket front seats that hug my 5-foot-10 frame all give it flair. The two-tone red and black interior, in contrast to the leather, felt out of place, and the new infrared exterior color did the same.
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. Sure enough, this thing spilled fuel. That’s why my mom once had a Lexus RX: proven reliability, and the sales numbers don’t bother you anymore.
Sure, a BMW X3, a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, or even an Audi Q5 with 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) 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 fast, but the instant torque from the electric motors gives the NX 350h more acceleration than expected. That surge of power diminishes rapidly as speed increases. Worse, this powertrain, which is from the Toyota RAV4, isn’t particularly refined-sounding. Not exactly what you might expect from a Lexus. Then again, would you expect a two-tone red and black interior in the Lexus NX?
The engine shuts off and shuts off often, much more than one would expect, given that this is not a plug-in hybrid. Still, the system runs on electrons only for a short period of time. Especially at low speeds around neighborhoods or in parking lots.
Inside – and aside from that two-tone interior – high points include an actual volume knob and defrost button, wireless Apple CarPlay that works every time, and a wireless smartphone charger that not only works but pulls away to reveal a little hidden storage cube that no one would ever expect.
But at $61,655, including the $1,295 destination charge, the lack of front passenger lumbar support is inexcusable. Sitting inside the NX, especially when sitting up front, there’s no way to escape the fact that this thing feels narrow. The Volvo XC60 or BMW X3 doesn’t feel like this.
This brings me to the final point: At this price point, a Volvo XC60 puts a Lexus NX to shame in terms of refinement, materials, fit and finish, and overall luxury feel. The BMW X3 puts Lexus to shame in terms of dynamics.
But despite not being exciting, not particularly refined, and somewhat confusing in F-Sport handling spec, Lexus has earned its place in the triple-crown sales race by building a reputation for reliability and fuel efficiency and standing on it. If those two things are major criteria in a shopping list, the NX tops the list of options. Now I understand.
lexus The Drive was provided a seven-day loan of this vehicle for the purpose of writing this review.
2026 Lexus NX350h F Sport handling specs
| Base Price (350h F Sport Handling) | $46,570 ($61,655) |
| powertrain | 2.5-liter inline-four | ECVT | all-wheel drive |
| horse power | 240 |
| Torque: | 270 lb-ft |
| seating capacity | 5 |
| curb weight | 3,836 pounds |
| towing capacity | 2,000 pounds |
| cargo volume | 22.7 cubic feet behind the second row 46.9 cubic feet behind first row |
| surface | 7.68 inches |
| epa fuel economy | 41 mpg city | 37 Highway 39 joint |
| score | 7.5/10 |
