2024 Lexus NX 350h AWD
When the Lexus NX first launched, it felt like an excellent idea that needed just a little more time to bake. Now, especially with the Hybrid options, it’s adequately sophisticated, refined and ready to serve. Still not perfect, but greatly improved from its late 2014 debut at the Beijing International Auto Exhibition. For 2024, here is our list of what it does right, and where it continues to need some help.
Starting with the good:
- Lexus continues to set the standard for quite interiors, and the NX is no exception.
- The handling in Normal and Sport mode is sufficiently agile, without sacrificing the excellent ride quality we expect from Lexus.
- The steering is well-weighted and responsive. Especially in Sport mode. With just a slightly artificial touch.
- The NX 350h uses a Mark Levinson PurePlay Surround Sound system, and as expected, sounds incredible.
- The new Toyota/Lexus infotainment system is impressive, seamlessly integrated into the center stack. The touchscreen is responsive and easy to read, and the heads-up display is a helpful addition.
- The interior is packed full of top-tier materials that bear testament to the incredible build quality and attention to detail.
Image via: Lexus
Now on to the not so good:
- To immediately address the obvious; the cost can be described as approaching unreasonable. Even for a Lexus, starting at nearly $50K and reaching almost $60K with options.
- There’s no practical need for push-button door releases other than an attempt to do something different. In reality, it caused me a bit of anxiety, as the irrational fear that I’d be locked in if the mechanism failed always crept in whenever I needed to exit the vehicle.
- The odd shifter could also be described as a senseless design.
- The handling may be good enough, but German competitors like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1are lighter on their feet and priced better.
- A minor complaint, but my normal-sized sunglasses wouldn’t fit into the sunglass holder.
Starting price for the Lexus NX 350h AWD: $46,075.00
