Lexus NX 2025 Review

As the competition in Malaysia's luxury SUV market intensifies, the demand for "luxury quality + practical energy-saving" among middle-class families and young elite groups continues to rise. The D-segment hybrid SUV has become the core battleground for major brands. The 2025 Lexus NX 350h Luxury, as an updated model in this segment, focuses on "full hybrid lineup + high-end configurations made more accessible + four-wheel-drive stability." Can it stand out among the German competitors? This test drive will comprehensively evaluate its performance in daily use, from static experience to dynamic performance tests.

Starting with the exterior, the 2025 NX 350h Luxury continues Lexus's signature family design, with overall lines leaning towards being sharp and dynamic. The spindle-shaped front grille is moderately sized, with neatly arranged chrome strips inside. This is paired with sharp LED headlamps on both sides, ensuring high recognition; the headlamps have built-in LED daytime running lights and support automatic lighting and cornering assist, enhancing practicality. On the sides, the 4660mm length paired with a 2690mm wheelbase offers well-balanced proportions. The waistline extends from the fenders to the rear, coupled with 20-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, giving a stable yet sporty visual appeal. At the rear, the horizontally designed smoked LED taillights correspond with the spoiler on the trunk, while the hidden exhaust layout aligns with the hybrid model's positioning. The lighting system is equipped with LED as standard across all models; the brightness at night is sufficient to clearly illuminate the road ahead, and the fog lights exhibit good penetration in rainy or foggy weather.

Stepping inside, the interior adopts Lexus's consistent exquisite style, with the center console tilted towards the driver for easier operation. A large amount of soft leather wraps the dashboard and inner door panels, complemented by metal trims and piano lacquer panels, delivering a delicate touch and a strong sense of luxury. The 14-inch central touchscreen is the centerpiece of the interior, offering clear display, smooth operation, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The menu is straightforward, making it easy to use even for first-time users. The HUD (head-up display) feature is practical, projecting information such as speed and navigation, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road without glancing down at the dashboard. For seating, the front driver's seat supports 8-way electric adjustment with 4-way lumbar support and memory functions. The passenger seat also supports 8-way electric adjustment. The leather seats are soft yet supportive, ensuring comfort even over long durations. The rear seating area is spacious; with passengers of 175cm in height, there’s still two fists of legroom and ample headroom. The rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, adding to its practicality. The trunk offers a default volume of 520L, which is adequate for daily family use. The rear seats support a 40/60 split-folding configuration, providing expanded cargo space suitable for transporting larger items when folded down.

In terms of performance, the NX 350h Luxury is powered by a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine combined with a permanent magnet synchronous motor to form a hybrid system. The system delivers a combined power output of 179kW (243PS) and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. During daily driving, the car mainly relies on the electric motor for propulsion, offering smooth and immediate acceleration with virtually no delay. When pressing the accelerator deeply for more speed, the engine integrates seamlessly, producing minimal noise and with no abrupt engagement. On highways, there's ample power reserve for overtaking, and the acceleration feels smooth and unstrained. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.7 seconds aligns well with the actual driving experience. The vehicle offers three driving modes: ECO, Normal, and Sport. In ECO mode, the power output is more moderate, suitable for daily commuting. In Sport mode, the throttle response becomes sharper, catering to users who occasionally prefer spirited driving.

In terms of handling, the steering is precise with minimal play, offering moderate feedback, making it very easy to drive. The chassis features a combination of front MacPherson struts and rear double-wishbone independent suspension, tuned for comfort. It effectively filters out small bumps on the road, and vibrations when passing over speed bumps are handled gently. When driving through curves, the suspension provides good support, keeping body roll well under control. Coupled with the full-time all-wheel-drive system, the vehicle exhibits excellent stability.

As for specific tests, fuel efficiency is a key highlight for a hybrid model. The total test drive covered approximately 200km, including urban traffic, highways, and suburban roads, with an average speed of about 35km/h. The measured fuel consumption was 5.2L/100km, which is close to the official figure of 5L/100km, demonstrating great fuel economy. Regarding braking performance, the brake pedal feels linear, with a responsive braking system. During emergency braking, the vehicle maintains a stable posture without noticeable nose-diving, ensuring a strong sense of safety.

In terms of comfort, the NX 350h Luxury offers excellent noise insulation. The interior remains quiet while driving, with wind and tire noise minimally noticeable even at high speeds. Engine noise during engagement is also very low, resulting in a highly serene cabin environment. As previously mentioned, the seats are soft yet supportive, preventing fatigue during long drives. The energy recovery system offers three adjustable levels. In its default mode, the recovery force is moderate, avoiding an obvious dragging feeling, which minimally impacts comfort.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2025 Lexus NX 350h Luxury are evident. First is its excellent hybrid system, offering high fuel economy. Second is its rich features, such as the 14-inch touchscreen, HUD (head-up display), and Lexus Premium Audio system, which are competitive in its class. Third is the reliable full-time all-wheel-drive system, which enhances the vehicle's off-road capability and stability. Compared to its German competitors in the same class, the NX 350h Luxury has a certain edge in terms of features and fuel efficiency. While its price is comparable to its competitors, it provides more features, offering higher value for money.

Overall, the 2025 Lexus NX 350h Luxury is well-suited for family users who value fuel economy, a sense of luxury, and practicality. It is also ideal for young professionals seeking stable handling and rich features. Its performance is well-balanced with no obvious weaknesses, making it a D-segment hybrid SUV worth considering. If you're looking for a luxurious, practical, and fuel-efficient SUV, the NX 350h Luxury is an excellent choice.