2024 Lexus NX 350h AWD Luxury, Is it right for you?

Most Lexus models are what I would say are "stealth luxury." Not that they aren't really nice but that they don't scream at you. People in the market for a luxury car know the Lexus "L" and what it stands for.

The "Luxury" part of the NX 350h name is a package. It kind of begs the question does that mean it is a Luxury luxury vehicle? In a way the answer is yes. The Luxury package adds in a slew of extra features that enhance the basic luxuriousness of the NX. 

Of course there are some folks who want you to notice them but I'm not one of them. If I had money I'd really want to keep it to myself, no need to advertise.

Let's take a look at the interior.

The seats do their job, they are comfortable and supportive with adjustments to satisfy just about everyone. My wife and I were split on the seat facing color; I liked it, she did not. We both liked the power ventilated front seats during our recent hot spell.

The rear seat, although nominally for three, will fit two adults more comfortably. And they get their own drink holder.

The power tailgate (with "Kick Sensor" to open with the Luxury package) opens nice and high (fewer bumped noggins) for ease of loading of its up to 46.9 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded down, and 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. There is a 2,000 lb towing capacity.

Lexus sells a full range of SUVs starting with the UX. The NX is fairly compact in the world of SUVs. It is only a tad over 15' in length, easily garagable, and easy to park in a world of shrinking parking spaces and huge SUVs and trucks.

The "h" in NX 350h stands for hybrid. I missed the advertised combined fuel economy figure of 39 mpg by a bit but not by much. The other ratings are 41 city and 37 highway. My driving was skewed more toward highway.

I appreciated the knobs for temperature and sound volume, and the shift lever but, and there always seems to be a but, why have a seperate button for Park?

And while I'm at it what is it with the inside door release levers? They are small and require two pulls to open the door. It just seems redundant to have to pull that little lever twice.

Everybody always wants to know how fast is it? That really isn't the purpose of a luxury vehicle is it? The NX 350h has a total system output (2.5-liter 4-cylinder and two electric motors) of 239 hp, and it weighs 5,245 lbs., and it is capable of getting to 60 mph in just under 8 seconds. 

The other question asked is "how does it drive?" Just fine thank you. For a luxury car, and one this hefty, it handles the back roads with aplomb while still keeping you comfortable. It will cruise the highway at extra-legal speeds all day, and get you to your destination without stress. 

The Lexus website (lexus.com) shows 2025 NX models so I'll give you those prices. I expect that if a dealer has a 2024 the price will be lower than a comparable 2025. A base NX 350h AWD starts at $46,575, add on the $6,065 Luxury package and you're up to $52,640. The choices are yours. 

If you're looking for a smallish luxury SUV, and you don't need a behemoth, you should check out the Lexus NX 350h.