2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD
Is This the Perfect Luxury SUV?
The 2026 Lexus NX 350h is a stunning luxury SUV, especially with its Infrared paint job.
By Joe Santos
Wed, May 6, 2026 04:16 AM PST
Images by the author unless otherwise noted.
Despite the fact that it hasn’t changed its look since 2022, the 2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD really caught my attention. Not because of its spindle grille with its large maw or its black 20-inch wheels, but because it’s a hybrid luxury compact SUV. A striking one at that. Those crisp lines and bold grille make it stand out, and once I stepped inside, I was greeted by premium materials and smart tech. There’s plenty of space for everyone, too.
When it comes to performance, this NX 350h AWD delivers a ride that’s quiet and remarkably smooth, thanks to the hybrid powertrain. Lexus pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, and the all-wheel drive really helps with confidence on all kinds of roads. The gas mileage is stellar, which is exactly what I want for both everyday driving and longer trips.
Safety features are top-notch, and the infotainment system was easy to use, with a big touchscreen and seamless smartphone integration that just makes life easier. All in all, I think the NX 350h AWD is a solid contender in its segment. It’s refined, efficient, and carries the reliability that I expect from Lexus. All things considered, I would think that it’s the perfect luxury SUV, but is it really?
An Elegant and Subtly Striking Design
The 2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD sports a modern and athletic design, with sharp body lines that give it a dynamic appearance. The signature spindle grille and sleek LED headlights create a bold front fascia, while sculpted side panels and a sloping roofline add to its aerodynamic profile. Stylish black 20-inch alloy wheels and tasteful chrome accents further elevate its premium look, ensuring the NX 350h stands out in any setting, especially with its Infrared paint hue.
A Comfortable Interior With the Right Technology
Step inside the NX 350h AWD and you’re greeted by a cabin that blends luxury with practicality. High-quality materials cover every surface, from soft leather upholstery to brushed metal trim. The spacious interior offers comfortable seating for up to five passengers, with ample legroom and cargo space for daily errands or weekend getaways.
Ambient lighting and an intuitive layout create a relaxing atmosphere, while the large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster keep key information right at your fingertips.
I appreciated the intuitive infotainment system that was easy to navigate and connect my phone to. There is an onboard navigation system, but I mainly used Apple CarPlay, which is what most drivers will likely do. It lets you use most of the apps on your phone, including Spotify for music, which sounded amazing with the Mark Levinson sound system that was included in the car.
The inner door handles a little weird, though. You have to push them to open the door, which took some of my passengers a beat to figure out. Overall, if you’re looking for a luxury SUV with a simple, elegant interior that doesn’t complicate the simple stuff, the Lexus NX is a great choice.
Driving Dynamics and Engine Specs
Under the hood, the NX 350h AWD features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors, delivering a combined output of 240 horsepower, which provides brisk acceleration and responsive handling. The hybrid powertrain ensures smooth transitions between electric and gasoline power, but once the gas engine comes on, it’s a little noisy. That’s to be expected considering it’s a small four-cylinder engine connected to a CVT. My tester was equipped with all-wheel drive, which could have provided a lot of confidence in the snowy conditions I’m used to during wintertime, but considering the dry weather this year, it wasn’t needed.
The biggest news, however, is the NX’s fuel economy, which is rated at 41 city, 37 highway, and 39 mpg combined by the EPA. I managed to average 35 mpg in my mixed driving, which mostly consisted of short drives around town. Not too shabby, considering it’s an SUV. It’s also worth noting that if you like to tow, this little rig is rated with a 2,000-pound tow capacity when properly equipped. I never do that, so it doesn’t apply to me.
A Spacious Cargo Area
The 2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD offers practical cargo space to match its refined interior. With the rear seats upright, you’ll find a 22.7 cubic feet of generous cargo area that easily accommodates groceries, luggage, or sports gear.
Folding the rear seats down expands the space to 46.9 cubic feet, making it suitable for larger items or weekend adventures. A power liftgate and low loading floor add convenience, ensuring the NX 350h meets the demands of both daily life and longer trips.
Serious About Safety
Lexus has equipped the NX 350h AWD with the Lexus Safety System +3.0, which is a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard systems include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking.
Advanced driver aids help reduce fatigue and enhance peace of mind, while the robust construction and multiple airbags provide excellent protection for all occupants. On the road, I found that the driver-assist systems worked seamlessly, and the features like the adaptive cruise control didn’t ping-pong the car between the lines and none of the other systems were intrusive or annoying.
Summary
In summary, the 2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD delivers an impressive blend of luxury, efficiency, and advanced technology. Its eye-catching design, refined interior, and smooth hybrid performance set it apart in the crowded compact SUV segment. But is it the perfect luxury SUV? That’s a tall order, considering there are other luxury compact SUVs in the market that are great, like the Mercedes-Benz GLB, the Audi Q5, and the BMW X1.
However, if you’re looking for a small, premium SUV that has plenty of value for its price, has a comfortable interior with all the premium amenities you want, a smooth ride, and good fuel economy, then the Lexus NX could be the perfect solution for you.
Name of vehicle: 2026 Lexus NX 350h AWD
Price: (base) - $54,200// (as tested) - $58,264
EPA Fuel economy rating: 41/37/39 MPG (City/Highway/Combined)
EPA vehicle size classification: Small Sport Utility Vehicle
0-60 mph: 7.2 seconds
Location of final assembly: Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan
About The Author
Joe Santos is an automotive journalist with over 10 years of professional writing and editing experience. His article topics range from full-length car reviews to car-buying advice. He even spent four years selling cars at a few different dealerships, so he may know a thing or two if you’re in the market for a new or used car.
