2016 Lexus NX Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review$39,720 to $41,310
Original MSRP
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With enhanced smartphone connectivity through Enform, the Lexus NX 300h continues to present a distinctive choice in the hybrid luxury crossover segment.
The aggressive styling of Lexus’ latest lineup has divided consumers but undeniably increased sales for all Lexus models. Sharp, angular lines cut across the front, sides, and back of any Lexus on the market today, and the NX 300h is no different. The distinctive front grille has fast become an icon, and the steeply raked hatch, while seriously limiting rear storage, has been a defining feature of nearly all contemporary crossovers.
With a high-quality interior on par with the usual Lexus offerings, the NX is a pleasant place to chew up some miles, presenting controlled if not sporty chassis and design influences inside and out from the IS and RC.
Lexus has done away with confusing additional trim levels here, instead allowing you to trick out your NX through option packages. In base form, the NX comes with standard LEDs across the board, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone auto climate control, premium vinyl for 8-way power front seats, and a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. The technology is there as well with a standard 7-inch infotainment screen, rear-view camera, and HD and satellite radio for the 8-speaker system. The Enform suite is also included, allowing you to connect, monitor, and control your NX through your smartphone.
A Premium Package ($2,670) upgrades the wheels to 18-inch alloys and offers enhanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert (a $660 standalone option), but also includes functional additions like auto-dimming side mirrors, heat and ventilation for the front seats, a sunroof, and driver memory. The Luxury Package ($4,505) includes all the Premium items as well as perforated leather upholstery, wood trim, a heated steering wheel, auto wipers, and a power liftgate (a $400 standalone option). That’s a lot of money for a few added features, but it’s required in order to add power recline to the rear seats for an additional $400.
To take advantage of the added smartphone connectivity this year, you’ll have to add the $1,875 Navigation Package, which also adds the often-maligned Remote Touch interface, two additional speakers, and voice control. You can also add options like front and rear parking sensors ($500), adaptive cruise with a pre-collision system with crash mitigation ($900), and Qi wireless charging ($220).
My week with the NX 300h was spent in a front-wheel-drive example with a base MSRP of $39,720, whereas one with all-wheel drive (AWD) would have a starting price of $41,310. It was equipped with the Luxury and Navigation packages, as well as Qi wireless charging, the electrochromatic rear-view mirror, folding rear seats, a blind-spot monitor, and the parking sensors. With a $900 delivery fee, the walkaway price came to $48,945.
The NX 300h uses a drivetrain familiar to a lot of car buyers, as it’s shared with the Camry Hybrid. Here a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder is paired with electric motors, powered by a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, and mitigated via a CVT. That all adds up to an equivalent 194 hp, which simply isn’t enough for the NX 300h’s 4,200-pound curb weight. Despite the added torque from the electric motors, a trip to 60 mph will still take more than 9 seconds, putting the NX 300h near the bottom of its class. Still, it motivates adequately for highway merging and passing, although there’s curiously little observable difference between the Eco and Sport settings.
Economy is another mixed bag, because although EPA estimates put the NX 300h at 35 mpg city/31 highway for a combined rating of 33, my week of driving came back with a combined average of just over 24 mpg. Considering the NX 300h boasts class-best fuel economy, this is particularly hard to swallow. At the other end of the equation, the NX 300h puts out an EPA-estimated 276 grams of carbon dioxide per mile, earning it an 8-out-of-10 smog rating, which is 20% better than the Audi Q5's.
It’s no secret that the form of most recent Lexus models has caused a lot of controversy, making it perhaps the most contentious lineup on the market today. But these issues are limited to the exterior, as no one seems to want to complain about Lexus interiors. With unique features like the now-iconic analog clock dead center in the dash and a wealth of high-quality trim pieces like brushed aluminum and black wood trim, the NX 300h manages to gracefully balance between sport and luxury, with equal bits of IS and RC showing through. More than that, everything is well-placed and attractive, although two-tone leather is supplemented by matching hard plastic, which takes away from some of the ambiance.
The suspension is surprisingly agile and composed, but not sporty by any means—there are F Sport trims if that’s your style—and it still manages to soak up bumps and road inconsistencies without an abundance of drama. There's the usual immediate insulated crash that comes with most hybrids, but it would be unfair to expect more, saddled as it is with the extra weight of all those batteries.
Interior space is another sore spot here, and while I found the NX 300h to offer plenty of room for my 6-foot, 4-inch frame in front and back seats, rear storage of 16.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 53.7 with them folded flat is the worst in the class, thanks again to that aggressively angled rear hatch.
Without one of the available option packages, technology in the NX 300h is limited to LED lighting, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control, and the standard 7-inch infotainment screen for the rear-view camera. You also get standard HD and satellite radio. Piling on additional tech is an expensive endeavor, even if you don’t want to go for the $2,670 Premium Package or the $1,875 Navigation Package for the blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic and driver memory system or the Navigation system with Remote Touch and voice control.
For me personally, the navigation system and Remote Touch interface aren’t worth the extra money. The search feature in the nav sent me to more incorrect listings than correct ones over the course of the week, and I’ve never felt comfortable enough with the Remote Touch interface to use it while driving, despite testing several Lexus offerings with the system over the last few years. The controller is imprecise and difficult to control, even when a car is stationary. Were it not a forced pairing with the Performance or Luxury Package, I’d choose to leave it off altogether.
Standalone options include the $500 front and rear parking sensors, the $900 adaptive cruise with a pre-collision system with crash mitigation, and the Qi wireless charging system for $220. Given the limited rear visibility here, the parking sensors aren’t the worst option you could add, but I simply cannot recommend the Qi wireless charging. Ignoring the fact that you can buy your own Qi charging station for less than $20, I tested three different Qi-equipped phones, and not one actually fit in the charging dock without preventing the lid on the center console from closing.
Given that the only other option in the segment is the Audi Q5 Hybrid, whose base MSRP starts at $52,500, the NX 300h is a relative steal. The fact that I was unable to even come close to the EPA's estimated mileage is a sore spot, however, especially when similar numbers could be achieved through judicious driving in an NX 200t at a price about $5,000 lower.
Currently Lexus offers a $1,000 cash bonus promotion through the end of the year for students and military members, as well as a $500 bonus when leasing through Lexus Financial. Lexus reliability has held strong for years, although some of the new tech has seen a dip in the averages. However, as Lexus products tend to hold their value well, this seems a worthwhile risk to take given the large price disparity with the only other available luxury hybrid crossover.
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2016 Lexus NX Hybrid Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: alloy · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.75
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 141 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 105 · Electric Motor Torque: 199 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 154 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5700 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 152 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4400
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: chrome
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app function: vehicle location
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Passenger seat cushion front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 11.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: alloy · Dash Trim: Leatherette · Door trim: leatherette · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: grocery bag holder · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 3.54
Engine
Electric Motor Battery Type: nickel-metal hydride · Electric Motor HP: 141 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 105 · Electric Motor Torque: 199 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 154 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 5700 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 152 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 4400
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome surround · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Hybrid
Starter Type: motor/generator
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Roof rails: chrome
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact absorbing seats: dual front · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leatherette
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.7
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: Turn-by-Turn Navigation · Smart device app function: vehicle location
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer