2027 Lexus NX Goes Hybrid Only With More Power and a Quieter Cabin

The 2027 Lexus NX leans harder into comfort as its powertrain lineup goes fully electrified. The refresh adds output to both hybrid options, makes the cabin quieter and replaces the interior with a larger touchscreen and more haptic controls. After a day in the all-wheel-drive NX 350h around Elora, Ontario, my read is that Lexus has sharpened the SUV’s appeal for drivers who want easy, quiet travel more than sporty handling.

The changes come after a design that had stayed largely consistent since the current generation arrived for the 2022 model year. Lexus has made the grille more pronounced and sharpened some exterior lines, while integrating the headlights and cornering lights more closely into the body. The NX remains recognizable, but the bigger update is beneath the surface.

Disclosure: Lexus hosted the drive in Elora, Ontario, provided a hotel stay and meals, and supplied a fully fueled NX.

Two hybrid choices, with more output

The gas-only NX is gone. Buyers can choose the conventional hybrid NX 350h or the plug-in hybrid NX 450h+. Both use a revised 2.5-liter inline-four producing 186 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque. Lexus has also changed the electric motors, with the resulting system output depending on which hybrid you choose.

The NX 350h delivers 244 horsepower combined in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive form, according to Lexus. That’s 4 horsepower more than the outgoing model. On the AWD version, the front electric motor produces 160 horsepower and the rear motor 54 horsepower.

The plug-in NX 450h+ produces 324 horsepower combined, a 20-horsepower increase over the previous version. Its front motor now makes 203 horsepower, up from 180, while the rear motor carries over at 54 horsepower. Lexus says both powertrains now rely more on electric motors for propulsion, giving the NX a more immediate, electric-like response.

Lexus

Fuel economy varies by configuration. Lexus estimates 38 mpg for the AWD NX 350h I drove, while the front-wheel-drive NX 350h is rated at a combined 40 mpg. Both hybrids have regenerative braking, though neither offers one-pedal driving.

The NX 450h+ adds an electric-only option for daily trips. It has a newly developed lithium-ion battery, a NACS charge port and DC fast charging as standard. Lexus estimates that charging from 10% to 80% takes about 35 minutes, and gives the plug-in an estimated 45 miles of electric-only range on a full battery. Actual range and charging time can vary with conditions, but those figures suggest the 450h+ could cover many routine trips without using its gas engine.

Comfort takes priority on the road

All NX 450h+ trims have all-wheel drive. AWD is also standard on the NX 350h F Sport and Luxury grades, and available on the two lower 350h trims. Both powertrain versions come in Premium, Premium+, F Sport and Luxury trims.

On gravel roads near a nature preserve, the 350h felt front-biased in its power delivery, yet the rear motor helped keep the vehicle settled and limit wheel slip. The suspension and steering favor a soft, yielding ride over sharp responses. The NX was nimble enough on the local curves, but it doesn’t invite hard cornering; it feels built to take the strain out of everyday driving instead.

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Speed bumps barely disturbed the cabin, and the SUV was easy to keep within posted limits. Sport mode made the 350h feel more responsive, with torque taking the lead over sharper steering. The plug-in should offer a clearer version of that instant response while running in electric-only mode.

Lexus says cabin engine noise is down 20% from the previous model. The company attributes the reduction to changes including a strengthened 2.5-liter engine, an inner dashboard silencer, revised door and window weather stripping, and sound-dampening material in the bumper. The result in the car I drove was a notably hushed ride for a compact SUV. That quiet is central to the NX’s character: it makes long stretches of routine driving feel less tiring, without asking the driver to manage a complicated experience.

A new screen, familiar trade-offs

Lexus has redesigned the interior around soft-touch surfaces and a horizontal control panel. The steering wheel has a new design, while haptic buttons handle common climate functions and the defrosters. More haptic controls sit along the lower edge of the center console, where they look like digital buttons. The approach gives the cabin a cleaner appearance, though drivers who prefer physical switches may need time to adjust.

A 14-inch touchscreen is standard, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. The screen is bright and responsive, but working through its menus still takes some effort. A head-up display is available as an option. Lexus has also added a built-in dashcam and features including lane-keeping assist, collision avoidance, remote parking and a voice assistant activated with “Hey Lexus.”

Lexus

The rear-pedestrian braking system intervened while I was backing up on a narrow road, stopping the vehicle when trees were close by. That experience showed how readily the system can step in around nearby obstacles. Drivers will want to understand how these assistance features behave in their usual parking and driveway situations.

Personalized atmosphere has limits

On F Sport and Luxury trims, the Sensory Concierge pairs cabin fragrance with lighting, music and increased airflow. It offers three settings—Inspire, Radiance and Revitalized—each with its own scent. Lexus says each fragrance capsule provides 180 hours of scent at full output. Depending on the setting, the system can also open the moonroof, change the cabin lighting and play upbeat music.

The feature makes its presence known. After about an hour, I turned it off through the touchscreen: the diffuser sits where the dashboard meets the windshield, and the steady fragrance became tiring. Some owners may enjoy using it to freshen the cabin, while others may prefer the NX’s quieter, unscented atmosphere. As more luxury models add features designed to shape the cabin mood, this one stands out as an unusually personal extra—and a reason to try the controls before settling on a trim.

Pricing is still to come

The 2027 NX’s appeal rests on a clear set of priorities: more electric assistance, a quieter ride and an interior designed around comfort. Buyers looking for a more engaging drive may find the steering and suspension too relaxed, while those who value an easy commute are more likely to appreciate the setup. The plug-in’s estimated 45-mile electric range adds flexibility for shorter trips, with a conventional hybrid available for drivers who don’t want to plan around charging.

Lexus hasn’t announced 2027 pricing. The company says prices will be revealed closer to the end of the year, when the new models go on sale. For reference, the 2026 NX 350h starts at $46,570, including a $1,395 destination charge. That gives shoppers a starting point, but the updated model’s final price will determine how its added equipment and power compare with other compact luxury hybrids.