Plug-in hybrids They’re a great compromise for people who still want the convenience of a gas-powered car but still want the benefits of electric. Most PHEVs have enough electric range to cover daily commuting and city needs, while the gas engine takes the edge off any range anxiety. After years of making excellent hybrids, Lexus is finally entering the plug-in hybrid game with the NX450h+. It combines the luxury and functionality of the second generation NX with usable electric power. But it comes at a pretty steep price.
Disclaimer: Lexus gave me the NX450h+ and I was surprised how much I liked it. Filling the tank only once a week is fine.
What is that?
The NX is Lexus’ second-smallest crossover, sitting above the UX and below the X-ray. Although it sits on a modular platform shared with everything from the Toyota Sienna minivan to the Lexus ES sedan, the NX is more mechanically related to the Toyota RAV4. This is an important point to which I will return later. And if you’ve ever wondered what the hell NX stands for, a Lexus rep once told me it stands for “Nimble Crossover.” Very well.
Specifications that matter
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Power comes from the same naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I4 engine that powers the base NX250 and the NX350h hybrid, but the difference lies in the electrical configuration. The 450h+ adds a pair of electric motors that drive the rear wheels, giving this SUV all-wheel drive. Add an 18.1 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery powering those motors and the result is the most powerful and efficient NX you can buy. It develops a total power of 304 horsepower with a torque of 364 lb-ft. It also gets 84 mpge – the mile-per-gallon equivalent of gasoline and electric driving – and can go 37 miles on electric power alone. Honestly, though, it’s actually pretty easy to beat the EPA’s estimated EV range. I’ve often seen up to 42 miles of electric range per charge.
how it rolls
Lexus likes to tout the NX450h+’s low center of gravity, and indeed, this thing is surprisingly nimble. It’s also surprisingly quick, with plenty of accelerating power for highway crossings. The advantage of having a battery and electric motors at your disposal is that, in everyday driving, it’s like having a turbo always ready to give you an extra boost. The power comes on smoothly and quickly, and the transition between gas and electric driving is one of the smoothest I’ve ever experienced. Unfortunately, when you rely on the 2.5-liter engine for power, it feels buzzy and unrefined.
What’s great about crossovers this size is how easy they are to maneuver. Parking and going through narrow places is quite easy. Parking the NX is even better thanks to Lexus’ Advanced Park system, which is easier to use than most other automated parking systems I’ve used. I also have to donate Lexus accessories to place a physical button on the dash to activate Advanced Park technology. You don’t have to line up in a specific spot for the system to engage. You just find the spot you want, tap Start on the screen, and let the car park itself. The system can pull forwards, backwards or perform parallel parking maneuvers.
Driving in different transmission modes is just as easy. A button on the center console lets drivers choose between full EV mode, Hybrid or Charge setting, the latter of which uses the gasoline engine to recharge the battery while you drive. In EV mode, the NX450+ is quiet as expected. In hybrid mode, the transmission operates like any other hybrid, defaulting to electric power as often as possible with the gasoline engine kicking in as needed.
Home charging is easy. The NX has an optional 6.6 kilowatt ($800) on-board charger that you simply plug into a standard household outlet. Charging this way, it takes about 4-5 hours to fully charge the battery. It’s child’s play to do overnight. Unfortunately, public charging on a Level 2 outlet is a hit and miss affair, but it’s a product of the country’s problematic charging network, not Lexus.
Some notable pros and cons of the NX450h+
The NX has many useful security systems, but some of them are very sensitive. Pre-collision braking, for example, sometimes activates when there is no danger in front of you. On the other hand, I like things like Safe Exit Assist, which will warn you of passing cars when trying to exit a parallel parking space. I just wish all the systems were more consistent in their integration.
The wireless charger does not work well. It often doesn’t detect when a device is placed on top, and when it’s running, the slippery surface means your phone moves around a lot while driving, which can cause it to stop charging.
Interior door handles are also unnecessarily complicated. The NX uses a dual electronic/standard door handle. Up front, you’ll find a braille-like surface that indicates where you need to press to get out of the car. Alongside this is labeling indicating how the handle operates manually, in the event of a power failure or emergency. It’s confusing and takes getting used to, and it seems to be the answer to a question no one asked.
Verdict
The NX450h+ is an impressive plug-in effort from a company known for hybrid excellence. But that may end up being a tough sell for some. For starters, the NX450h+ isn’t cheap. While a regular NX250 starts at a rather reasonable $38,850, you’re looking at well-equipped RX money for the 450h Plus: $57,705. With almost all the option boxes checked, including a destination charge of $1,075, my orange NX450h Plus costs $62,090.
Now, remember when I said the NX was mechanically tied to the RAV4? The NX450h+ uses the same transmission configuration as the Toyota RAV4 Premier, which is over $15,000 cheaper. Yes, the Lexus is a little nicer inside, but that’s a big jump in price for effectively the same experience.
None of this is to say the NX450h Plus is bad. It’s really very good. But having to drop nearly $60,000 on a compact crossover just to be able to go 40 miles on electric alone is a tough sell, especially when the exact same configuration can be had for less money.
2022 Lexus NX NX 450h+ Luxury AWD Specifications
Type of engine
Petrol/Electric I-4
Gearbox/Drive
CVT with OD
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