Lexus NX 300h 2021 Review

The current Lexus NX 300h first arrived in Australia back in 2014, delivering hybrid-drive mechanicals served up on the then-current Toyota RAV4 platform.

At that time, the RAV4 offered diesel and two different petrol powertrains, but no hybrid. The Lexus was something unusual, and wearing a prestige badge with it.

In 2021, Toyota does offer the RAV4 with a hybrid variant, so the parent company’s donor model has caught up and indeed overtaken the Lexus – and the hybrid RAV4 is consequently doing great business for Toyota.

The mid-size NX sits above the UX but below the RX models in the Lexus SUV line-up. Prestige brands don’t offer hybrid models to rival the NX 300h for the most part.

There are frugal models in the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC ranges, but the real threat to the NX 300h sales base comes from non-prestige models that offer a little more, either as plug-in variants like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, or the Toyota RAV4 itself.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is smaller inside than the Lexus, and it’s more expensive as well, but it’s a plug-in hybrid with a prestige badge for not much more than this variant of the NX 300h.

Pricing starts at $57,500 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Lexus NX 300 Luxury, rising to $79,088 plus ORCs for the top-shelf NX 300h Sports Luxury.

At $60,500 plus ORCs, the 2021 Lexus NX 300h Luxury on test is the most affordable of the hybrid NX variants. Its price is bumped up to $63,000 as tested, with a $2500 enhancement pack comprising a moonroof.

In keeping with Lexus convention, this affordable hybrid model is front-wheel drive and trimmed to the Luxury grade. The hybrid powertrain is also available in mid-spec F Sport and flagship Sports Luxury trim levels.

As standard, the Lexus NX 300h Luxury comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, 10-speaker audio system (and CD/DVD player), digital radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, electric adjustment for the front seats, satellite navigation, auto-on headlights, rain-sensing wipers, tyre pressure monitoring, power fold-in mirrors, multifunction steering wheel, trip computer, keyless entry/starting and voice recognition.

Safety features include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, rear cross traffic alert, 10 airbags, blind spot monitoring, reversing camera, auto high beam assist, lane keep assist and speed limit sign recognition.

Packaging is a solid reason to consider the Lexus NX 300h. It’s a vehicle that’s easy to enter and leave, with a hip point that is spot on for older drivers.

As well, the 2021 Lexus NX 300h Luxury is roomy inside, although the rear seat won’t slide forward and back, which could free up legroom in the rear, or luggage space, according to need.

The driving position is sensible, complemented by seats that are both comfortable and well-shaped to hold the occupant in place properly while cornering at higher speeds.

On the road, the NX 300h provides enough performance to get you out of trouble, or pull away from traffic at lights – as long as the other drivers aren’t too determined. Ultimately though, the Lexus doesn’t provide truly brisk acceleration, even when supplemented by power from the electric motor.

The engine sounds sporty under load, but the effective redline is 5500rpm, although the engine will rev a little higher. Most drivers will never see 6000rpm, however. Restarting is a little rough when the idle-stop system cranks up the engine for more power or recharging the battery.

The NX 300h wasn’t as economical as expected, posting a fuel economy figure of 7.6L/100km on a 70km test drive. A Toyota RAV4 Hybrid completed the same course 12 months earlier, posting an economy figure of 5.8L/100km.

While few will find the ride comfort of the Lexus to be punishingly firm, nor is the chassis set up with marshmallow-like spring and damper rates. The NX 300h does handle safely, but the Bridgestone Dueler 225/60 R18 tyres fitted are more appropriate for soft-roading than high-speed cornering. Few, if any, owners will be looking to take this front-wheel drive variant far off the road anyway.

Keep the boot into it mid-corner and the stability control of the NX 300h will step in to keep things in hand, proving surprisingly moderate in operation.

The auto high beam assist raises the lights in built-up areas, but is slow to dip the lights at the first sign of an oncoming car.

As for the over-speed alerts, they’re annoying when the vehicle speed exceeds the limit set for the adaptive cruise control. That happens frequently approaching the crest of a hill, due to lack of engine braking and the rubber-band effect from the CVT.

And lastly, we’re not fans of the infotainment touch pad, but we do like the rest of the interior – the instrument cluster, centre fascia and console.

This is yet another SUV for the family that spends more time within 10km of a major urban centre than they spend in national parks. The 2021 Lexus NX 300h Luxury is affordable and right-sized for a family of up to three teenagers and a stay-at-home primary caregiver, while the white-collar professional is winning bread.

It’s very practical in this role and fairly comfortable too, but this is not a vehicle that will make you the envy of your peers, many of whom will be driving Audi Q5s, BMW X3s and Mercedes GLCs.

What the Lexus says about you is that you make hard-headed purchasing decisions based on a four-year warranty, resale value and the ‘known known’ of Lexus reliability.

Ultimately, in this case, environmental cred counts more to you than carving through corners at high speeds. Rightly so.

In some ways, the basic Lexus NX 300 Luxury previously tested was a slightly more convincing model than this hybrid variant.

It was marginally cheaper and a little more enjoyable to drive, thanks in part to its conventional automatic, not the continuously variable set-up of the hybrid.

On the other hand, this 2021 Lexus NX 300h hybrid model is more economical than its conventional counterpart, and the eco-friendly powertrain technology will earn ‘greenie’ points with your friends, relatives and colleagues – those who care, at least.

This is a very practical car and it delivers most of what it promises. The one misgiving about a car like this is that you can buy a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for less money, and that will give you the same volume of interior space and more time and range in electric-only mode.

But all that is provided you care less about prestige image and fit and finish when it comes to the Mitsubishi.

When the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is markedly more economical than this Lexus NX 300h, it’s time for Lexus to roll out a major upgrade or all-new model – or get with the plug-in movement.

How much does the 2020 Lexus NX 300h Luxury cost?
Price: $60,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric
Output: 114kW/210Nm (147kW combined)
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 5.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 131g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)

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