Lexus NX 450h+

Lexus is known for its hybrid powertrains, and plug-in hybrid power arrives with the new NX. Richard Gooding finds that the highly likable newcomer has much fleet appeal

Model tested: Lexus NX 450h+ Premium Pack Plus

What is it?

Launched in early 2022, the Lexus NX is a family of ‘self-charging’ hybrid (350h) and plug-in hybrid (450h+) models. The second generation of the mid-size SUV nameplate, the NX 450h+ is Lexus’ first-ever plug-in hybrid, arriving eight years after the first NX rolled onto UK roads. More than 175,000 examples of the original model were sold, the brand’s most popular car in Europe, with 27,000 cars finding homes in the UK up to August 2021. It has been Lexus GB’s most popular model since 2015. Global Lexus NX sales cumulatively tally over one million units.

What range does it have?

In line with some of its key rivals, Lexus quotes the NX 450h+ as having an official electriconly range of between 42 and 46 miles.

How long does it take to charge?

If you plug the NX 450h+ into a 7.4kW home wallbox connection, the car’s 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery can be refilled using its on-board 6.6kW charger in around two- and-a-half hours. This is optional, though; a 3.3kW charger is fitted as standard.

How does it drive?

From the outside, the new NX is recognisably a Lexus. It has much in common stylistically with the all-electric UX 330e, with the sharp body work creases and ‘spindle’ front grille the key and recognisable style elements used by the Japanese brand. New L-shaped tail lamps – joined by a full-width light bar – add a futuristic touch, and in colours such as Blazing Carnelian (metallic orange), Celestial Blue, Terrane Khaki, the latest NX looks every inch the upmarket proposition. That impression continues inside. High quality materials such as man-made leather, aluminium, and gloss black surfaces impart a sense of luxury, and all the important driver functions are arranged so that they give a cocoon-like feel. This is Lexus’ new ‘Tazuna’ cockpit concept, first revealed in the LF-30 Electrified concept car, which follows the principle of ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road’, ensuring every major function the driver needs is in easy reach. It works, too. In the centre of the dashboard is a 9.8inch touchscreen display system, which is operated by new software. Much faster to respond than Lexus systems of previous models, it is much more enjoyable to use than before, and the 14-inch Lexus Pro systems fitted as standard to the higher trims look particularly sharp. In addition to cloud-based and embedded navigation options, there is a voice assistant and over-the-air update functions. Smartphones can be connected via wireless Apple CarPlay or wired Android Auto. Well-judged control weights also aid the driving experience.

Practicality hasn’t been sacrificed in the pursuit of style, either, the NX 450h+ packing in 525 litres of luggage space with the rear seats up. This increases to 1,436 litres when they are folded. A repositionable boot floor offers lots of storage options, and all Lexus NXs have a powered tailgate.

Out on the road, once again, the plug-in hybrid NX creates an overall polished and upmarket impression. The 2.5-litre petrol engine and hybrid system – including the e-CVT gearbox – is largely shared with Toyota’s RAV4, but in the Lexus the refinement is taken up a notch or two. The car is quiet and very comfortable, especially in electric-only mode. Our Premium Pack Plus test car displayed 41 miles of EV range fully charged and when the 18.1kWh battery is empty, the car reverts to being a traditional ‘self-charging’ hybrid, recharging as it drives.

A 305bhp power output means the NX picks up speed quite quickly, and three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport offer tailoring of the driving experience. Overall, the NX plug-in hybrid contains body roll well, and while the ride can be firm at times, it’s never truly uncomfortable. All NX 450h+ models are all-wheel drive, fitted with an electric motor on each axle.

What does it cost?

The Lexus NX 450h+ is available in three key trims – NX, F-Sport and Takumi. The £53,300 NX Premium Pack model is the entry point, and comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, rear privacy glass, wireless smartphone charger, and heated and eight-way electrically adjustable front seats with two-way power lumbar support for the driver.

The £59,050 NX Premium Plus Pack, as tested here, adds customisable ambient lighting, a head-up display, a panoramic view camera, ventilated front and rear seats (with a heat function for the rear), ‘smooth’ leather upholstery and a digital cockpit. The 18-inch wheels are replaced by 20-inch rims.

The NX 450h+ F-Sport Premium Plus costs from £60,550, with sporty touches for a more dynamic feel. ‘F-Sport’ 20-inch wheels are standard, along with black door mirror caps, front grille and roof rails, and adaptive suspension. Choose the £63,550 F-sport Takumi Pack and you gain a digital rear view mirror and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

The top-spec Takumi costs £62,050, and adds an automated parking system, fourway lumbar support, a card key and ‘Sumi’ black wood inlays inside. Metallic paint costs £750 extra, with a palette of special colours adding a further £250.

How much does it cost to tax?

At the time of writing, the plug-in hybrid Lexus NX qualifies for the UK Government’s £10 Alternative Fuelled Vehicle (AFV) VED discount, thanks to its official CO2 emissions of between 21 and 25g/km. This means it is rated as an ultra-low emission vehicle, and this discount effectively wipes out its first year registration charge of £10. After that, at current rates, drivers of the Lexus PHEV will pay £510. This is because the Lexus’ list price is over £40,000, so it incurs an extra £355 charge on-top of the standard AFV second-year VED rate of £155. Benefit in Kind (BIK) for 2022-2023 is eight per cent.

Why does my fleet need one?

Refined, upmarket and with potentially lower running cost appeal for both company car and fleet drivers, Lexus’ first plug-in

RZ: Lexus’ first global EV

Just as the first NX 450h+ cars hit UK roads, Lexus announced its firstever globally available BEV, the RZ. Sitting on a new dedicated EV platform and fitted with a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery, the 309bhp SUV has a combined WLTP range of up to 272 miles.

Its dimensions position the new RZ between the existing NX and RX models, and official energy consumption on the combined WLTP cycle is said to be between 3.3 and 3.7 miles per kWh.

Lexus heralds the RZ’s lithium-ion battery as ‘long-lasting’, stating that it expects 90 per cent of capacity to still be present after 10 years of use. A combination of e-axles and Direct4 all-wheel drive torque control is a Lexus production model first, with a 150kW motor placed on the front axle, and an 80kW unit on the rear.

Developed solely as an EV from the outset, the RZ is available in three grades – Premium Pack, Premium Plus Pack and Takumi. Prices for Lexus’ new sharplooking crossover start at £62,600 OTR, rising to £73,200.

hybrid scores on all the key criteria. A highly usable electric-only range allied to an enjoyable driving experience impresses further and the NX 450h+ should make those considering a plug-in hybrid SUV sit up and take notice – there is a great deal here to like. L

FURTHER INFORMATION www.lexus.co.uk

ENGINE: 2,487cc petrol engine / 136kW and 40kW electric motors / 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery / 305bhp system output

ELECTRIC RANGE (combined, WLTP): 42-46 miles

MPG (Combined, WLTP): 256.8-313.8

CO2: 21-25g/km

VED: £0 first-year, £510 thereafter

BIK: 8%

PRICE (OTR): £53,300-£62,050 (including VAT)

Written by Trainline