Lexus NX — Generations, Specs & Review

Lexus NX: generations: what actually changed between years

All measured engines are 4 cylinders, Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, fuel 95. Layout of the engine is Front, transverse on 1 generation and the restyling; on 2 generation engine location is not measured.

1 generation (January 2014–January 2018) has six versions, all SUV 5-doors: two 2.0 CVT (Gasoline, 150 hp, Variable), two 2.0 AT (Gasoline Turbo, 238 hp, Automatic 6, AWD or FWD), and two 2.5 CVT (Hybrid, 155 hp, Variable, AWD or FWD). Fuel tank is 60 L on every version in this generation.

1 generation, restyling (September 2017–June 2021) also has six versions in the same body. The 150 hp Gasoline Variable cars keep the name 2.0 CVT. The 238 hp Turbo cars are renamed NX 300. The 155 hp Hybrid cars are renamed NX 300h. The tank drops from 60 L to 56 L (−4 L). Peak torque on 2.0 CVT falls from 193 Nm to 189 Nm (−4 Nm). Peak torque on the Turbo rises from 350 Nm (2.0 AT) to 357 Nm (NX 300) (+7 Nm). Hybrid AWD 0–100 improves from 9.3 s (2.5 CVT) to 9.2 s (NX 300h). CO2 on the Hybrid AWD jumps from 119 g/km (2.5 CVT) to 172 g/km (NX 300h AWD) — +53 g/km — so the restyle is not a free upgrade on emissions.

2 generation (from June 2021) has six new names: NX 350 AWD, NX 250 AWD, NX 250, NX 450h, NX 350h AWD, NX 350h FWD. Tank is 55 L (−1 L vs restyling, −5 L vs 1 generation). Petrol cars move from Automatic 6 to Automatic 8. Rear brakes are listed as Disc ventilated (front remains Ventilated disc). Ground clearance is not measured on any 2 generation version (1 generation Turbo cars are 190 mm; naturally aspirated and Hybrid cars are 185 mm).

Engine options and specs (horsepower, torque, size)

Version	Generation	hp	Nm	cc	Fuel	Boost	Gearbox	Drive
2.0 CVT FWD	1 generation	150	193	1986	Gasoline	No	Variable	FWD
2.0 CVT AWD	1 generation	150	193	1986	Gasoline	No	Variable	AWD
2.0 AT AWD	1 generation	238	350	1998	Gasoline	Turbo	Automatic 6	AWD
2.0 AT FWD	1 generation	238	350	1998	Gasoline	Turbo	Automatic 6	FWD
2.5 CVT AWD	1 generation	155	270	2494	Hybrid	No	Variable	AWD
2.5 CVT FWD	1 generation	155	270	2494	Hybrid	No	Variable	FWD
2.0 CVT FWD	restyling	150	189	1986	Gasoline	No	Variable	FWD
2.0 CVT AWD	restyling	150	189	1986	Gasoline	No	Variable	AWD
NX 300 AWD	restyling	238	357	1998	Gasoline	Turbo	Automatic 6	AWD
NX 300 FWD	restyling	238	357	1998	Gasoline	Turbo	Automatic 6	FWD
NX 300h AWD	restyling	155	270	2494	Hybrid	No	Variable	AWD
NX 300h FWD	restyling	155	214	2494	Hybrid	No	Variable	FWD
NX 350 AWD	2 generation	275	430	2393	Gasoline	Turbo	Automatic 8	AWD
NX 250 AWD	2 generation	203	240	2500	Gasoline	No	Automatic 8	AWD
NX 250	2 generation	203	240	2500	Gasoline	No	Automatic 8	FWD
NX 450h	2 generation	309	227	2487	Plug-in	No	Variable	AWD
NX 350h AWD	2 generation	244	239	2487	Hybrid	No	Variable	AWD
NX 350h FWD	2 generation	244	239	2487	Hybrid	No	Variable	FWD

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): NX 450h 309 / 2.487 ≈ 124.2 hp/L; NX 300 / 2.0 AT 238 / 1.998 ≈ 119.1 hp/L; NX 350 AWD 275 / 2.393 ≈ 114.9 hp/L; NX 350h 244 / 2.487 ≈ 98.1 hp/L; NX 250 203 / 2.500 ≈ 81.2 hp/L; 2.0 CVT 150 / 1.986 ≈ 75.5 hp/L; NX 300h / 2.5 CVT 155 / 2.494 ≈ 62.2 hp/L. The Hybrid 2.5 is the least specific; the Plug-in and the 2.0 Turbo are the most.

NX 300h FWD lists 214 Nm; NX 300h AWD lists 270 Nm — same 155 hp, same 2494 cc, same 9.2 s, but 56 Nm more torque on AWD. That is the only same-name pair in the restyling where torque is not shared.

Performance, mpg, and 0–100: what the step up actually buys

If you want the shortest 0–100: NX 450h 6.3 s, then NX 350 AWD 6.6 s (+0.3 s), then restyling NX 300 AWD 7.1 s, then 2.0 AT AWD 7.2 s, then NX 300 FWD and 2.0 AT FWD both 7.3 s, then NX 350h AWD 7.7 s, NX 250 FWD 8.2 s, NX 250 AWD 8.6 s, NX 350h FWD 8.7 s, NX 300h 9.2 s (both drives), 2.5 CVT 9.3 s (both drives), 2.0 CVT AWD 12.3 s. 2.0 CVT FWD 0–100 is not measured in either 1 generation or the restyling.

Top speed: 200 km/h on every Turbo, every 2 generation petrol, NX 450h, and both NX 350h; 180 km/h on every 2.0 CVT, 2.5 CVT, and NX 300h. 2.0 AT FWD top speed is not measured (AWD 2.0 AT is 200 km/h).

AWD vs FWD on the same engine:

NX 300: AWD is 55 kg heavier (1735 vs 1680) but 0.2 s quicker (7.1 vs 7.3). CO2 228 vs 217 g/km. Eco class Euro 6 on AWD; FWD eco class not measured.
2.0 AT: AWD is 105 kg heavier (1735 vs 1630) and 0.1 s quicker (7.2 vs 7.3).
NX 250: AWD is 59 kg heavier (1719 vs 1660) and 0.4 s slower (8.6 vs 8.2). Mixed consumption is 8.4 L/100 km on both; city 9.4 vs 9.0; highway 7.4 vs 7.1.
NX 350h: AWD is 60 kg heavier (1790 vs 1730) and 1.0 s quicker (7.7 vs 8.7). Mixed consumption 5.6 L/100 km on both. Gross 2380 vs 2320 kg.
NX 300h: AWD is 65 kg heavier (1785 vs 1720); 0–100 identical at 9.2 s; CO2 172 vs 156 g/km.
2.0 CVT: AWD is 40 kg heavier (1690 vs 1650); CO2 172 vs 165 g/km; FWD 0–100 not measured.

Fuel use that was actually measured (city / highway / mixed, L/100 km):

2.0 AT FWD: 10.3 / 6.2 / 7.7. All other 1 generation and restyling petrol/hybrid city, highway, and mixed figures are not measured except 2.5 CVT FWD: 5.6 / 5.2 / 5.4.
NX 350 AWD: 10.7 / 8.1 / 9.4.
NX 250 AWD: 9.4 / 7.4 / 8.4.
NX 250: 9.0 / 7.1 / 8.4.
NX 350h AWD and NX 350h FWD: mixed 5.6; city and highway not measured.
NX 450h: mixed 1.1; city and highway not measured.

Versus 2.5 CVT FWD mixed 5.4, NX 350h mixed 5.6 is +0.2 L/100 km while power rises from 155 to 244 hp (+89 hp). Versus 2.0 AT FWD mixed 7.7, NX 350 AWD mixed 9.4 is +1.7 L/100 km for +37 hp (238 → 275) and two extra Automatic gears (6 → 8).

CO2, where measured: 2.5 CVT 119 g/km (both drives) is the lowest ICE/hybrid figure; restyling NX 300h FWD 156, 2.0 CVT FWD 165, 2.0 CVT AWD and NX 300h AWD 172, 2.0 AT 199, NX 300 FWD 217, NX 300 AWD 228. Every 2 generation CO2 value is not measured.

Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels, ground clearance

Kerb weight range in the data: lightest measured is 2.0 AT FWD at 1630 kg; heaviest is NX 450h at 1990 kg (+360 kg). 2.5 CVT FWD kerb is not measured.

kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp): NX 450h 1990/309 ≈ 6.44; NX 350 AWD 1830/275 ≈ 6.65; 2.0 AT FWD 1630/238 ≈ 6.85; NX 300 FWD 1680/238 ≈ 7.06; NX 350h FWD 1730/244 ≈ 7.09; NX 300 AWD and 2.0 AT AWD 1735/238 ≈ 7.29; NX 350h AWD 1790/244 ≈ 7.34; NX 250 1660/203 ≈ 8.18; NX 250 AWD 1719/203 ≈ 8.47; 2.0 CVT FWD 1650/150 = 11.00; NX 300h FWD 1720/155 ≈ 11.10; 2.0 CVT AWD 1690/150 ≈ 11.27; NX 300h AWD and 2.5 CVT AWD 1785/155 ≈ 11.52. The 150 hp 2.0 CVT and 155 hp hybrids carry the most mass per horsepower.

Gross weight, where measured: 2.0 AT FWD 2295 kg; NX 350h FWD 2320; 2.5 CVT FWD 2330; NX 350h AWD 2380; 2.5 CVT AWD and both NX 300h 2395; NX 450h 2540. All other gross figures are not measured. Payload on NX 450h is 2540−1990 = 550 kg; on NX 350h AWD 2380−1790 = 590 kg; on NX 350h FWD 2320−1730 = 590 kg; on NX 300h AWD 2395−1785 = 610 kg; on NX 300h FWD 2395−1720 = 675 kg; on 2.0 AT FWD 2295−1630 = 665 kg.

Tank: 60 L (1 generation) → 56 L (restyling) → 55 L (2 generation).

Wheels measured: 2.0 AT 225/60 R18 and 235/55 R18; NX 300h 225/60 R18 and 225/65 R17; 2 generation petrol and NX 350h 235/60 R18 and 235/50 R20. 2.0 CVT, 2.5 CVT, NX 300, and NX 450h wheel sizes are not measured.

Ground clearance: 190 mm on 2.0 AT and NX 300; 185 mm on 2.0 CVT, 2.5 CVT, and NX 300h. 2 generation clearance not measured.

Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every version. Front brakes Ventilated disc on every version. Rear brakes Disc on 1 generation and restyling; Disc ventilated on 2 generation.

Which version to choose

Choose 2 generation NX 450h if the goal is the strongest 0–100 (6.3 s), the highest listed power (309 hp), the lowest mixed use (1.1 L/100 km), and Plug-in capability. Cost in the numbers: it is the heaviest kerb (1990 kg), the heaviest gross (2540 kg), and listed engine torque is only 227 Nm — less than NX 350 AWD’s 430 Nm, less than NX 300’s 357 Nm, and less than 2.0 CVT’s 189–193 Nm as a peak figure. Compression 14.0 is the highest in the catalogue. Wheels and ground clearance not measured.

Choose 2 generation NX 350 AWD if you want Gasoline Turbo without a plug: 275 hp (+37 vs NX 300), 430 Nm (+73 vs NX 300, +80 vs 2.0 AT), Automatic 8 vs 6, 0–100 6.6 s (0.5 s quicker than restyling NX 300 AWD 7.1 s). Mixed 9.4 L/100 km is the thirstiest measured mixed figure. Kerb 1830 kg is +95 kg vs NX 300 AWD 1735. CO2 not measured. There is no FWD twin.

Choose 2 generation NX 350h AWD or NX 350h FWD if you want Hybrid without a plug and more power than NX 300h / 2.5 CVT. 244 hp is +89 vs 155. Mixed 5.6 vs 2.5 CVT FWD 5.4 (+0.2) and vs unmeasured restyling hybrid mpg. AWD is the one to pick if 0–100 matters: 7.7 vs 8.7 s for the same 5.6 L/100 km. FWD saves 60 kg (1730 vs 1790) and 60 kg of gross (2320 vs 2380).

Choose 2 generation NX 250 or NX 250 AWD if you want a naturally aspirated Gasoline 4 Inline with Automatic 8 and 200 km/h, without Turbo or Hybrid. 203 hp sits between 2.0 CVT 150 and NX 300 238. Specific output 81.2 hp/L is only a little above 2.0 CVT 75.5. FWD is 0.4 s quicker and 59 kg lighter; mixed consumption is the same 8.4. Direct injection (direct) replaces the Distributed injection (multi-point) of 2.0 CVT. Compression 10.0 vs 10.5 on 2.0 CVT.

Choose restyling NX 300 (AWD or FWD) if you want the 238 hp Turbo in 2017–2021 metal. AWD is the performance pick (7.1 s, 190 mm clearance, 1735 kg). FWD is the lighter pick (1680 kg, 7.3 s) but eco class is not measured. Versus 2.0 AT in 1 generation you gain 7 Nm (357 vs 350); 0–100 is 0.1 s quicker on AWD (7.1 vs 7.2) and identical 7.3 s on FWD. You lose 4 L of tank (56 vs 60) and, on AWD, you take 228 g/km CO2 vs 199 on 2.0 AT. Compression and bore × stroke are not measured on NX 300; 2.0 AT has 10.1 and 86 × 86.

Choose 1 generation 2.0 AT FWD if measured economy on a Turbo matters: it is the only Turbo with city/highway/mixed (10.3 / 6.2 / 7.7), the lightest kerb in the whole NX set (1630 kg), and the lowest Turbo kg/hp among FWD cars (6.85). Top speed not measured. 2.0 AT AWD is the matching winter/traction car at 1735 kg, 7.2 s, 199 g/km, wheels 225/60 R18 and 235/55 R18.

Choose restyling NX 300h or 1 generation 2.5 CVT if Hybrid is the point and you do not need 2 generation power. 2.5 CVT FWD is the only early Hybrid with mpg (5.6 / 5.2 / 5.4) and the lowest CO2 in the dataset at 119 g/km. Restyling NX 300h FWD is 9.2 s vs 9.3, tank 56 vs 60, CO2 156 vs 119, and FWD torque falls to 214 Nm. NX 300h AWD keeps 270 Nm. Wheels on NX 300h: 225/60 R18 and 225/65 R17; 2.5 CVT wheels not measured. 2.5 CVT FWD kerb not measured.

Choose 2.0 CVT only if you specifically want 150 hp Gasoline, Variable, No boost, Distributed injection (multi-point), Euro 5, 180 km/h. It is the slowest measured NX (12.3 s AWD). FWD 0–100 not measured. Restyling torque 189 Nm vs 193 Nm in 1 generation; tank 56 vs 60. Power, speed, and 185 mm clearance do not change. This is the highest kg/hp group in the catalogue.

Reliability, engine oil, air filter, and engine cover are not measured in this dataset. Problems are not listed. There is no RX comparison in the numbers. There is no 2027 model year, no separate 200t name, and no 450h+ name — the Plug-in is listed as NX 450h.

Short map: fastest and most specific Plug-in — NX 450h. Fastest Gasoline — NX 350 AWD. Best measured Hybrid mpg — 2.5 CVT FWD. Lightest Turbo — 2.0 AT FWD. Restyling Turbo name to look up — NX 300. Restyling Hybrid name — NX 300h. 2 generation Hybrid names — NX 350h AWD / NX 350h FWD. Naturally aspirated 2 generation — NX 250 / NX 250 AWD. Entry Gasoline Variable — 2.0 CVT.