Lexus NX 450h+ 2022 Review

Despite being a pioneer in the petrol-electric vehicle space and arguably the pre-eminent hybrid proponent in the auto industry today, Lexus has arrived awkwardly late to the plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) party.

The muscular-looking 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ is the flag-bearer of the new Lexus NX medium SUV range and arrives in Australia – albeit with a five-month wait list – with a class-leading 87km EV range (NEDC), meaning you could theoretically visit a petrol station as frequently as you see the dentist.

Priced at $89,900 not-including on-road costs, the Lexus NX 450h+ tops a second-generation NX line-up that will again attempt to poach customers from popular German rivals like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

In reality it’s likely to be cross-shopped with more affordable models such as the Genesis GV70, Volvo XC60 and even Lexus’s own UX small SUV, because it doesn’t have the badge cachet and desirability of zee Germans.

Lexus’ first-ever PHEV represents impressive value, not only because it’s priced below plug-in hybrid competitors such as the BMW X3 xDrive30e ($104,900), Mercedes-Benz GLC300e ($95,700) and Volvo XC60 Recharge ($98,888).

But also because Lexus is throwing in a 7kW (AC) wallbox charger, supplied and installed by Jet Charge, for free. Forget the cherry on top; that’s like getting a whole mature cherry tree in your backyard.

The most powerful and cleanest Lexus NX SUV to date comes with plenty of kit also included in the price, like heated and cooled F Sport seats with eight-way power adjustment that are very comfortable.

They are trimmed in suitably plush perforated leather-like upholstery, available in white, black or red at no extra cost – something most luxury brands charge extra for.

But the headline act of the Lexus NX PHEV’s cabin is undoubtedly the massive 14-inch central touch-screen that ditches the Japanese brand’s convoluted touch-pad/joystick input system.

The menu system is far more streamlined and easier to use than before and everything is displayed on one of the crispest, highest resolution screens you’ll find in a mid-size luxury SUV today.

There’s a decent 8.0-inch digital driver’s display and very good colour head-up display that integrate nicely with new touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, which reduce the number of buttons on the wheel spokes.

There’s also heated and auto-dimming side mirrors and a central rear-view mirror that can flipped to a digital mode with an impressively wide field of view is a welcome addition.

Also standard is smart entry and push-button engine start/stop, nifty e-latch door push-button handles that can stop you ‘dooring’ cyclists, dual-zone automatic climate control and improved ‘Hey Lexus’ voice control – which is very effective – plus cloud-based satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and wireless phone charging.

Check out the full equipment list in our Lexus NX pricing story.

There’s not a lot left off the list here and with improved smartphone connectivity owners can check fuel levels, set climate control, flash the lights, find, track and even turn the engine on and off remotely.

This range-topping, carbon dioxide-reducing BMW X3 competitor from Lexus is backed by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, while the 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery gets a 10-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

The Lexus NX 450h+ will cost you a maximum of $450 to service under a capped-price servicing program, with intervals set at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.

The big central screen, e-latch door handles, digital rear-view mirror and digital driver’s display are all great features that digitise the cockpit and give the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ a progressive, high-tech feel.

All the cameras and auto parking systems help make everyday chores a lot easier too, without adding complexity.

But I reckon one of best safety and technology elements of the Lexus NX 450h+ is the execution of its semi-autonomous driving assistants, which have made huge strides and now at least match German offerings with an ability to assertively and independently navigate highway driving, including very good lane centring – or autonomous steering, if you will.

Much-improved voice control is now on the menu too, almost matching for Mercedes’ class-leading MBUX system. You can say “Hey Lexus, I’m cold” and the windows close. You can adjust the heating, open the moonroof and much more with verbal commands now.

Based on a new platform, dubbed GA-K, the Lexus NX feels a lot more sophisticated than the model it replaces and the upgrades in technology see it close the gap to its European rivals in the tech stakes.

It’s more connected too, using cloud-based satellite navigation mapping for the much-improved and seriously high-resolution touch-screen operating system.

Using the latest Lexus Connected Services technology, owners can use the Lexus app operate car systems remotely, such as honking the horn, setting the climate control and turning the engine on or off.

Although it doesn’t yet have an ANCAP safety rating, the new NX comes with 10 airbags and a passenger cell made from high-strength 1180MPa steel – a world-first, says Lexus.

There are three power sources at play in the 2022 Lexus 450h+, two electric and one petrol, and combined they generate 227kW of power and an impossible-to-calculate amount of torque, according to Lexus, which doesn’t list a combined torque output.

On its own, the 2.5-litre petrol mill (136kW/227Nm) is an anaemic, loud and rather unpleasant engine that should be binned and replaced by a compact turbo engine.

It’s backed up by a permanent synchronous electric motor attached to the front (134kW/270Nm) and rear (40kW/121Nm) axles, fed by an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery.

For the record, the Lexus battery has more density than equivalent Mercedes (13.5kWh) and BMW (12kWh) rivals and offers greater range as a result.

It’s the same powertrain as seen in the cheaper, plugless Lexus NX 350h, but in the case of the 450h+ it can run all three motors at once, and it’s a lot more athletic as a result.

Drop the hammer and the Lexus accelerates with serious intent. It feels like there’s about 500Nm on tap, give or take. Lexus reckons the NX 450h+ will hustle to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds and it certainly feels rapid off the line, but it’s the mid-gear roll-on acceleration that’s really impressive.

Overtaking other vehicles on winding 100km/h country roads was not only easy but enjoyable thanks to the tri-motor thrust on offer here.

But the flagship Lexus NX’s raison d'être is not dynamic performance. It’s efficiency.

Lexus claims fuel consumption of just 1.3L/100km, which is very optimistic and obviously depends on usage. We ended up with a figure of 5.8L/100km, with battery consumption of 25kWh/100km.

Faster, flowing country roads and highway driving was the bulk of our drive loop and there’s no doubt this mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV is most efficient in urban areas, which we experienced later in the test, but getting 87km from the EV mode could be challenging.

We’ll have a better handle on real-world efficiency when we get a car to evaluate over a week in the coming months, but replicating the claimed 1.3L/100km fuel consumption figure will likely be impossible in the real world.

Indeed, you’d probably have to top up the battery before every drive and then spend around 80 per cent of the time in full EV mode to get anywhere near that figure.

Running in pure EV mode, the electric motors deliver reasonable not brisk acceleration, but more than enough for urban environs. Top speed is 135km/h so you can cruise on the freeway if you want in pure-electric mode, but the EV mode is most effective at speeds of 70km/h or below. In theory you could drive this car as a pure EV forever.

The battery takes around two and a half hours to charge using the complimentary 7kW wallbox that all Aussie owners are entitled to, which is pretty slow by modern standards – a legacy of Lexus adapting its plugless hybrid tech.

The petrol-electric SUV’s three power units work through a continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT, to drive all four wheels and while this is definitely the most compelling powertrain in the new Lexus NX range, it’s not the quantum leap forward I was hoping for.

The 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ delivers a suitably luxurious driving experience, cossetting occupants in its lavish cabin, and although it’s significantly heavier (by around 200kg) than the NX 250, NX 350 and NX 350h siblings, the 2050kg Lexus NX 450h+ has the best blend of ride and handling of the quartet.

Ride comfort is the star of the show, the top-spec Lexus NX gliding over rougher roads without transmitting too much harshness into the cabin.

Fitted with twin-stage adaptive dampers, the Lexus settles fairly quickly and smoothly while traversing speed bumps and deals well with bigger cracks in the road, crudely sealed roads and concrete freeway seams.

The PHEV is not quite as involving to drive as the 2.4-litre turbo-petrol Lexus NX 350, but can be fun on winding roads and there is definitely a sportier feeling to the way it tracks through corners than its predecessor.

That said, while Lexus NX has closed the technology gap to its rivals, it’s still got a long way to go before it’ll compare to an Audi Q5 or BMW X3 in a dynamic sense.

In terms of interior space and overall luxury, the Lexus does a good job, with plenty of room for four adults – five at a pinch. You get plush carpets, high-quality materials on every surface and barely any cheap, exposed plastics.

It’s a lush SUV and if Lexus can convince BMW owners to hop inside, it might convert a few rusted-on Bavarian disciples.

The back seats are roomy and there’s plenty of amenity, with heated outboard seats, twin USB-C charge points and a 12V socket, reading lights and an armrest.

The boot is large with 520 litres of capacity expanding to 1410 litres with the rear seats folded, which Lexus claims is a class-leading figure.

But there’s no spare wheel whatsoever, with all Lexus NX models adopting run-flat tyres, which helps liberate extra cargo space.

The 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ is a very pleasant vehicle to drive most of the time and the rowdy petrol engine is unlikely to be a deal-breaker.

It represents good value in the mid-size luxury SUV category and the interior is a real highlight, with high-end materials, significant tech upgrades and a simplified execution creating a superbly resolved and intuitive cabin.

The second-generation Lexus NX is a more pragmatic vehicle than before, has the potential to slash your fuel bills in 450h+ form and will make potential owners very happy.

It should also fill the void created by the axing of the mid-size Lexus IS sedan, but beyond the free wallbox charger there’s nothing here that’s likely to worry its rivals.

It’s taken Lexus 17 years to adapt its plugless hybrid systems to a longer-range, more muscular plug-in model, but the Lexus NX 450h+ is both a fitting flagship for the new NX range and an impressive vehicle that will help reduce one’s carbon footprint.

However, it’s not the game-changer Lexus needs to take the fight to its European rivals.

How much does the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ cost?
Price: $89,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid
Engine output: 136kW/227Nm
Electric output: 134kW/270Nm front, 40kW/270Nm rear
Combined output: 227kW
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Battery: 18.1kWh lithium-ion
Range: 87km (NEDC)
Fuel consumption: 1.3L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2 emissions: 29g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Not tested