The new Lexus NX 350h, in a pre-production version. Photo source: Lexus/Toyota Motor Corporation
The new Lexus NX arrives in Europe in 2027: the plug-in hybrid has 307 hp and more than 100 km of range
Lexus has presented the mid-cycle update for the NX SUV. The model will be available to order in Europe from autumn 2026, and the first deliveries are scheduled for early spring 2027. The European range remains exclusively hybrid and comprises the NX 350h and NX 450h+ versions.
The biggest technical change comes on the plug-in hybrid variant: system power rises to 307 hp, the battery reaches 23 kWh, and estimated electric range exceeds 100 km in the WLTP cycle. All figures are provisional until the homologation process is completed.
The Lexus NX 450h+ gets a larger battery and DC rapid charging
The new NX 450h+ uses Lexus’s sixth-generation hybrid system. The 2.5-litre petrol engine works together with electric motors and all-wheel drive, and total power rises from 292 to 307 hp. Lexus estimates 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 6.1 seconds.
Lithium-ion battery capacity has increased by 30%, from 18 to 23 kWh. The electric range announced for Europe is more than 100 km WLTP, almost 40% greater than on the previous model. The battery remains mounted under the floor, but the cells are arranged transversely and lower, a solution that contributes to lateral stiffness and lowers the centre of gravity.
The NX 450h+ becomes the first Lexus plug-in hybrid that can be charged at a DC rapid-charging station. The manufacturer indicates an interval of 30 minutes for charging from 10% to 80%, without yet publishing the maximum accepted power. DC charging will be standard on all European equipment levels.
The Lexus NX facelift keeps the proportions of the current generation, but receives revised light clusters and a revised rear end. Photo source: Lexus/Toyota Motor Corporation
The NX 350h remains a full hybrid and develops 199 hp
The alternative without plug-in charging is the NX 350h, also with a 2.5-litre engine. System power remains at 199 hp, but the hybrid battery is smaller and lighter: its mass falls from 32.7 to 23.5 kg. Lexus attributes the improvement to cooling of the electrical circuits and the new cell configuration.
The NX 350h will be offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Provisional 0–100 km/h acceleration figures are 7.3 seconds for AWD and 7.7 seconds for FWD. Both the NX 350h and the NX 450h+ will be able to tow trailers of up to 1,500 kg and are developed for the future Euro 7 standard.
The power-control unit and the transmission have been combined in a compact assembly, following the principle of an electric e-Axle. The component is 10 kg lighter and 10 cm lower. The inverter uses silicon-carbide semiconductors, which reduce electrical losses.
Revised design and a body 30 mm longer
Lexus describes the new NX as a wide-ranging update, not an entirely new generation. The wheelbase remains at 2,690 mm, width at 1,865 mm and height at 1,660 mm. Length increases by 30 mm, to 4,690 mm.
The front grille no longer has a chrome surround and is integrated directly into the bumper. The headlamps are new and include adaptive high beam, cornering lights and a washer system as standard. The daytime running-light signature is moved to the upper part, and the direction indicators use two parallel bars.
Lexus eliminates glossy chrome trim from all versions. Black exterior elements, red calipers and 20-inch aerodynamic wheels are reserved for F SPORT. The palette will comprise nine colours, including Sonic Tellus, the khaki-green shade in the presentation images.
The dashboard brings together the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 14-inch multimedia screen. Photo source: Lexus/Toyota Motor Corporation
New interior, with two aligned screens
The dashboard has been redesigned on a horizontal layout. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 14-inch multimedia screen are aligned, so that the driver has to move their gaze less. The new LexusConnect system has a processor four times faster, eight times more storage space and 256 GB of memory.
The interface includes a shortcut to disable the speed-sign warning, configurable widgets and the projection of navigation instructions into the digital instrument cluster. The digital key works with Apple and Android phones and with Apple Watch; Lexus says NFC access remains available even if the phone battery is depleted.
A new feature, called Sensory Concierge, coordinates ambient lighting, climate control, the audio system and a cabin scenting device. It will be included in the Smart Comfort package for the Luxury level, and exact availability may vary between markets.
Stiffer body and recalibrated suspension
Floor stiffness has increased by about 25%, and the area between the front suspension towers and the pillars is about 30% stiffer. Lexus has modified the steering rack, the dampers and the logic of the braking system in corners. For the NX 450h+, the electric all-wheel drive can intervene in a wider range of situations than before.
The driver’s seat position is lower, the steering wheel has a smaller diameter, and the auxiliary battery has been moved closer to the centre of the car. Relocating it has also freed an extra 26-litre compartment under the boot floor.
Development of the European version included tests at the Nürburgring, on public roads and on German motorways. The manufacturer states that engine noise and road noise have been reduced by about 20%, but this figure does not yet come from an independent test.
When the new Lexus NX arrives in Romania
Lexus will open European pre-orders in autumn 2026 and will begin introducing the model in early spring 2027. The company has not yet announced prices for Romania, local configurations or the exact date of first deliveries.
European versions will be split into four levels: Business, Executive, Luxury and F SPORT. Adaptive headlamps, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, a powered tailgate, the 12.3-inch instrument cluster, the 14-inch central screen and Lexus Safety System+ are announced as standard equipment, but the importer will confirm the Romanian-market specification before launch.
