Editor's Note: Recently, experts from The Drive published an article reviewing and offering their perspective on the 2026 Lexus NX 350h compact luxury SUV for the US market. This model is also currently distributed in Vietnam. VietNamNet would like to share this perspective through a translated summary for readers' reference.
The Lexus NX is one of the luxury SUVs that is quite common on the streets. For those who love the driving experience, the fact that customers choose the Lexus NX over the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60, or Audi Q5 is sometimes quite puzzling.
The 2026 Lexus NX 350h F Sport Handling could be seen as an interesting irony, yet the NX line is one of the brand's best-selling models. However, after a week of testing the 2026 Lexus NX 350h F Sport Handling version, The Drive's review team found the answer to why more than 76,000 customers bought this model last year.
Sporty design, but quite different.
The NX 350h F Sport Handling version boasts a more striking appearance than the standard NX models. It features a gloss black grille, large double five-spoke wheels, supportive F Sport-style front seats, and a two-tone red and black interior.
However, the combination of sporty styling and a hybrid powertrain creates a certain contrast. The Lexus NX has a rather aggressive appearance, but its performance leans more towards smoothness, fuel efficiency, and ease of use than sportiness.
The Lexus NX 350h uses a 2.5L four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with two electric motors and an eCVT transmission. The total system output reaches 240 horsepower and a maximum torque of 366 Nm. The version used for this review is equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD).
After traveling approximately 655km under various driving conditions, the car achieved an average fuel consumption of around 6.9 liters/100km. It's safe to say this car is very fuel-efficient. A BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, or even an Audi Q5, with just a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, would be more enjoyable to drive than the Lexus NX. But none of them are as fuel-efficient.
One of the most notable aspects of the Lexus NX 350h is that it's not particularly fast, but the instantaneous torque from the electric motor gives it a fairly quick response when accelerating from low speeds. However, once the speed increases, the acceleration is less impressive.
The hybrid system also produces a fairly noticeable engine noise when the driver accelerates hard, which doesn't quite live up to expectations for a luxury Lexus model. This hybrid powertrain is shared with the Toyota RAV4, which prioritizes fuel efficiency over driving feel.
At low speeds, the gasoline engine frequently shuts off and restarts, allowing the Lexus NX to operate on electric power for much of the time, especially when driving in residential areas or parking lots, to optimize fuel consumption.
The interior is functional but not very spacious.
The Lexus NX's cabin is highly rated for its practicality, featuring familiar physical controls such as the volume knob and windshield defroster. Wireless Apple CarPlay works reliably, while the wireless phone charging pad is cleverly positioned. An interesting feature is that the charging area slides in, revealing a small storage compartment underneath.
However, the Lexus NX still has some drawbacks. At a test price of $61,655, including a $1,295 shipping fee, the lack of lumbar support in the front passenger seat is an unacceptable omission. Front seat space also feels rather cramped for a luxury crossover. This is where competitors like the BMW X3 or Volvo XC60 have an advantage.
The BMW X3 is better to drive, the Volvo XC60 is more luxurious.
When comparing the Lexus NX 350h to its competitors in the same segment, each model has its own strengths. The BMW X3, with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, offers a more exciting driving experience and more powerful performance. Meanwhile, the Volvo XC60 stands out from the Lexus NX in terms of refinement, interior materials, build quality, and overall luxurious feel.
Meanwhile, the Lexus NX doesn't really excel in these aspects; even the F Sport version can't make the NX a true competitor to the BMW X3 in terms of performance. However, the Japanese luxury car compensates for this by better meeting more practical needs such as fuel efficiency, ease of operation, high reliability, and reasonable long-term running costs.