Lexus NX

Name: 2020 Lexus NX
Brand: Lexus

EPA MPG: 24 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 24 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

The Lexus NX sits between the small UX and midsized RX. It's a pleasant, if somewhat snug, SUV that delivers handling agility, ample acceleration, decent fuel economy and a luxurious interior ambiance. However, it doesn't quite match competitors from Audi and BMW in terms of attention to detail and driving enjoyment.

The NX's radical looks promise a younger, more spirited character than the typical Lexus, and its handling is indeed sharp. It's responsive compared with a typical Lexus, but the driving experience is less exciting than competing models. The NX's turbo four-cylinder engine packs ample performance and decent fuel economy of 24 mpg. The hybrid version, called 300h, is noisy and feels underpowered but gets an excellent 29 mpg overall. Inside the cabin, the NX is stylish, well put-together but tight. The bolstered seats are supportive, but lumbar-support adjustment is only for depth not height, which is inexcusable at this level. The rear is adequate for two. The cargo area is modest but nicely finished. The snug driving position is made worse by the small windows which hamper visibility. Hence, we'd definitely get the blind spot warning system.The NX is saddled with a touchpad controller that interacts with the center screen. That user interface requires dexterous fingers to make selections -- not easy or intuitive when driving. We found the infotainment system fussy and distracting. Complicated controls and hampered visibility notwithstanding, overall, the NX is a sound choice and it benefits from most of Lexus's virtues of trouble-free ownership and excellent dealer service.

2020 SUVs Reliability

This Car

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Lexus NX

vs. Similar Cars

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Audi Allroad

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Lexus vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Lexus vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

Good

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Lexus vs. Other New Car Brands

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2020 Luxury compact SUVs Ratings

2020 Lexus NX

$22,350 - $26,700

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Acura RDX

$20,475 - $24,150

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

$12,125 - $30,825

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Audi Allroad

$ NA

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Audi Q5

$16,025 - $24,625

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 BMW X3

$17,275 - $36,825

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 BMW X4

$22,475 - $39,575

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Cadillac XT5

$16,575 - $20,375

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Infiniti QX50

$14,000 - $22,025

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Jaguar F-Pace

$13,600 - $32,275

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport

$12,250 - $15,375

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

$14,850 - $18,150

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

$18,325 - $36,650

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Lexus NX Hybrid

$ NA

EPA MPG 32 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Lincoln Corsair

$16,875 - $20,525

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB

$15,700 - $16,900

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC

$17,025 - $39,300

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe

$ NA

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Porsche Macan

$22,500 - $39,700

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2020 Volvo XC60

$16,625 - $22,325

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

AWD, Front

2-liter 4 turbo (235 hp)
2.5-liter 4 hybrid (194 hp)

6-speed automatic
CVT

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In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

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Model History

2022-Present

Current Generation

The redesigned 2022 Lexus NX looks much like the outgoing model, but beneath that familiar design is a raft of improvements. The cabin is completely transformed, with a more modern instrument panel, larger infotainment screen, and increased passenger space. There are four powertrains available: a base engine that's less powerful than before, a stronger turbocharged choice, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid. A 9.8-inch infotainment screen and wireless phone connectivity is standard, and there is an available 14-inch screen. Both options use Lexus new next-gen multimedia interface. An optional 10-inch head-up display is new, putting key travel information right in the driver's view. Lexus claims that head- and legroom have increased for all passengers. Every 2022 NX comes standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of active driver assistance features, including FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, and RCTW. Several previously optional features became standard for 2025 including a power liftgate, auto rain-sensing wipers, and Lexus Intuitive Parking Assist -- a system which warns drivers of approaching objects while parking and can apply the brakes to reduce the risk of a parking collision. Lexus also added two USB type-C ports to the front console. The base NX 250 was dropped after the 2025 model year.

2015-2021

2015 Redesign Year

Lexus finally enters the luxury compact SUV market with the Toyota RAV4-based NX. Lexus's first turbo engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic, works well and delivers 24 mpg overall. The NX 300h hybrid uses a 194-hp engine with a CVT, and its 29 mpg overall makes it the most fuel efficient SUV we've ever tested. The NX delivers a sportier, less cushy driving experience than the larger RX. The interior is adorned with nice stitching but some cheap touches are evident, and the cabin is very tight, with compromised visibility. The dash gets a multipurpose center screen controlled by a fussy touchpad that requires a distracting level of focus to manipulate. Changes for 2018 included standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Changes for 2020 include standard Android Auto compatibility.