The updated Lexus NX now comes only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, with a new e-Axle drivetrain, a 14-inch screen on every grade and more electric range for the NX 450h+.
Lexus has revealed the 2027 NX, and the big change is what’s missing. The compact crossover now comes only as the NX 350h hybrid or the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid. Lexus expects it to reach global markets by the end of 2026.
It’s more than a new grille, too. The drivetrain, the cabin and the plug-in’s battery have all been reworked. Some of those changes matter more than the headline figures suggest.
A New Hybrid System Under the Skin
Both versions use a new e-Axle that combines the transaxle, motor and power control unit in one unit. Lexus says this makes the package smaller and lighter, which lowers the centre of gravity. The inverter also switches to silicon carbide semiconductors, which should make it more efficient.
The 2.5-litre petrol engine has a stiffer block to cut noise and vibration. It makes 186hp and 173lb-ft. In the NX 350h, total system output rises by only 4hp, to 244hp, and Lexus admits acceleration is similar to before. The real change is in feel. The motors do more of the work, so engine revs should climb in step with road speed rather than flaring.
The E-Four all-wheel-drive system has been revised so the rear motor can stay engaged in straight-line driving, not just when pulling away or when the wheels slip. Lexus says this improves stability, especially on snow.
The Plug-In Gets the Bigger Gains
The NX 450h+ is where the numbers move. Its front motor rises from 180hp to 203hp, which lifts system output from 304hp to 324hp. The lithium-ion battery offers 8% more output and 8% more capacity, and its cells now sit crossways to stiffen the body.
Lexus estimates the electric-only range at more than 40 miles (about 64km), up from the outgoing car’s EPA-rated 37 miles. These are the brand’s own estimates, though. Official EPA figures will come closer to the on-sale date.
Charging is now more practical as well:
- DC fast charging is standard, through a NACS-style port behind a powered flap.
- AC charging from 10 to 100% takes as little as 2.5 hours on a 240V charger, according to Lexus.
- DC charging from 10 to 80% takes a claimed 35 minutes at 50kW.
Sharper Styling and a Bigger Screen
The exterior gets a mesh grille, dual-line headlights and Lexus’s first “Double L” tail-light signature. Black trim on the mirrors and mouldings replaces the chrome. Nice.
Inside, every grade now gets the 14-inch touchscreen, lined up with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. There are three new paint colours, including Shaded Ivy, plus two new interior colours. One of them, Abalos, takes its inspiration from sand dunes on Mars. F Sport models add 20-inch wheels, extra body addenda and optional red brake callipers.
Why It Matters
Lexus helped bring hybrids into the luxury market, so a hybrid-only NX makes sense. A modest power bump on the NX 350h won’t win many arguments on its own. A plug-in with more range and standard fast charging could tempt more buyers away from going fully electric, provided the EPA figures back up Lexus’s estimates.
