Lexus, like many automakers, has shifted in recent years to offer a variety of crossovers and SUVs. Its lineup spans every segment of the SUV market, and near the small end of the catalog, the NX is all-new for 2022. The subcompact luxury SUV offers several powertrain options, great safety features, and a sharp new design.

Though many automakers have trimmed their product offerings to the point that most vehicles come with one or two powertrain choices at most, Lexus sells the 2022 NX with four powertrain options—two of which are hybrid. The NX350h comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that make a combined 239 horsepower, while the NX450h+ gets 302 horsepower from its plug-in hybrid powertrain, which it shares with the Toyota RAV4 Prime.

Both NX hybrid models come with an electronically controlled CVT and all-wheel drive, thanks to electric motors mounted on their rear axles. The powertrains provide decent power and acceleration, especially the one in the NX450h+. It shares a propulsion system with the Toyota RAV4 Prime, which is actually the automaker’s second quickest vehicle, behind the Supra sports car. Though the Toyota/Lexus CVT is more refined than many, it still allows the engine to wail and whine under heavy throttle. Even so, the NX Hybrid is mostly quiet at highway speeds.

Being a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV, the NX450h+ also offers a decent all-electric range of 36 miles. People who have shorter commutes and regular access to a charger may be able to drive for extended periods of time without stopping at a gas station to refuel. The NX450h+ recharges in about four and a half hours using a 240-volt household outlet. Lexus offers a more powerful 6.6-kW onboard charger that reduces charging time. The hybrid NX350h does not require charging.

Many buyers and critics found the NX’s touchpad infotainment controller confusing and difficult to use. Lexus fixed that problem for the 2022 model year by removing it, which greatly simplifies the NX’s infotainment system. A 9.8-inch touchscreen is standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lexus offers a 14-inch touchscreen, a Mark Levinson audio system, wireless smartphone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and more.

The 2022 Lexus NX hasn’t been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) yet, but the previous model year earned the agency’s top award. The 2021 NX picked up a Top Safety Pick +, which includes “Good” scores in all crash test areas, “Superior” scores for its standard crash prevention tech, and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH system ease of use.

The 2022 Lexus NX350h and NX450h+ are on sale now. The NX350h starts at $42,125, and the NX450h+ starts at $56,725. Lexus also offers a sporty NX450h+ F Sport, which gets adaptive suspension but the same powertrain.