2025 Lexus NX 350h Luxury Review

In Malaysia's D-segment SUV market, the demand for luxury hybrid models has always been steady – consumers want both luxury and fuel efficiency. The 2025 Lexus NX 350h Luxury is a new contender in this niche market. It combines all-wheel drive, high-end features, and a hybrid system, priced at RM 395,888. This pricing is quite noteworthy in the luxury hybrid SUV segment. During this test drive, my main focus was to examine whether its real-world performance matches the impressive specifications on paper, as well as its practicality for daily use.

Starting with the exterior, the NX 350h Luxury continues Lexus's signature sharp design language. The front features the iconic spindle-shaped grille, outlined by chrome trims, accompanied by L-shaped LED daytime running lights on both sides, boasting high recognizability. The side profile has smooth lines running from the hood to the rear, and the 20-inch multi-spoke wheels (tire specification 235/50 R20) give the side view a stronger and more dynamic presence. The rear design is relatively simple, with a full-width LED taillight strip that is striking when lit, and the chrome trim below the rear bumper adds to the exquisite feel. Overall, the exterior retains a luxury brand’s aura without appearing overly ostentatious.

Moving to the interior, the materials and craftsmanship align with the positioning of a luxury car. The dashboard is covered in soft-touch materials, complemented by wood grain accents and metal trims, offering both a pleasant tactile and visual experience. The central display is a 14-inch touchscreen with a clear interface, smooth operation, and support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The steering wheel is electrically adjustable, equipped with heating functionality and multifunctional buttons, providing a comfortable grip. For the seats, the front seats are 8-way electrically adjustable with lumbar support and memory functions. They provide excellent cushioning and support. The rear seats offer ample space, with sufficient legroom and headroom. The middle floor hump is not too high, so seating three passengers is not an issue. As for storage space, the door panel compartments, central armrest box, and glovebox all have generous capacity. The trunk offers 520L of storage, which can be expanded by folding down the rear seats, accommodating both daily use and short trips.

In terms of spatial dimensions, the NX 350h Luxury measures 4660mm×1865mm×1670mm with a wheelbase of 2690mm. With the front seats adjusted to a comfortable driving position, the rear legroom still allows for about two fists of space, and headroom leaves over one fist. Passengers up to 180cm tall won't feel cramped. The rear is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB ports, ensuring passenger comfort.

The dynamic performance is the focus of this test drive. The NX 350h Luxury is powered by a 2.5L hybrid system delivering a combined output of 179kW (243PS), paired with an E-CVT transmission and all-wheel drive. At startup, the electric motor engages first, offering smooth and quiet power delivery. During acceleration, the engine and motor work together, giving quick throttle response. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 7.7 seconds. In real-world driving, the acceleration feels lively, and overtaking is confident.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal play and good directional control. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson independent suspension and rear multi-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort without losing resilience. When driving over speed bumps and bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out vibrations, ensuring that passengers inside the car do not feel too jolted. During cornering, the body roll is well-controlled, giving a stable feeling.

In terms of fuel efficiency and range, the official combined fuel consumption is 5L/100km. During the test drive, I drove on both urban roads and highways, with an average fuel consumption of about 5.5L/100km, which is quite good for a luxury hybrid SUV. Regarding range, the fuel tank capacity is 55L, and with a full tank, it can travel approximately 1000km, meeting the needs of daily commuting and long-distance travel.

In terms of braking performance, the front ventilated disc brakes and rear ventilated disc brakes provide stable braking performance. The feel of the brake pedal is linear, and the braking force is evenly distributed. During emergency braking, the car’s body remains stable, and there is no noticeable nose-dive phenomenon.

In terms of driving assistance systems, the NX 350h Luxury is equipped with Level 2 autonomous driving assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. These functions are very practical when driving on highways, reducing driver fatigue.

In terms of comfort, the interior's soundproofing is excellent, and wind noise and tire noise are not obvious at high speeds. The seats are very comfortable and do not cause fatigue during long periods of sitting. The air conditioning system cools quickly, and the rear air vents ensure the comfort of passengers in the back row as well.

To summarize, the 2025 Lexus NX 350h Luxury has very clear advantages: luxurious interior, rich configurations, smooth power output, low fuel consumption, stability brought by the all-wheel-drive system, and impressive space performance. Among vehicles in the same segment, it offers great value for money. Compared to hybrid models from BBA, it comes at a lower price while offering more features. The downside is that the third-row seat space is average and not suitable for long-term seating, and the brand's premium rate is relatively low.

The target consumer group mainly consists of middle-class families who value luxury, comfort, and fuel efficiency in a vehicle, while also having certain brand preferences. The NX 350h Luxury can meet their needs for daily use, short trips, and business reception. If you are looking to buy a luxury hybrid SUV within a budget of 350,000 to 400,000 Malaysian Ringgit, the NX 350h Luxury is a great choice.