2025 Lexus NX Review: Luxury, Efficiency, and All-Weather Confidence in One Sleek Package

Lexus sharpens its compact SUV game with the 2025 NX lineup. We took the NX 350h into the heart of a Quebec winter to see how it really performs when the weather turns brutal—and the results might just surprise you.

The Compact Crossover Lexus Got Just Right

Let’s rewind for a second. When the original Lexus NX debuted back in 2015, it was a bold departure for the brand. Angular, athletic, and positioned squarely against compact luxury rivals like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3, the NX was Lexus’s attempt to woo a younger, tech-savvy crowd.

Fast-forward to 2025, and the second-generation Lexus NX—introduced in 2022—has blossomed into a seriously competitive compact luxury SUV. Available with four different powertrains (gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and turbocharged gas), the NX covers all the bases for modern drivers.

But the one that continues to shine brightest? The NX 350h—a hybrid variant that balances power, fuel efficiency, and all-wheel drive confidence. To put it to the test, we took it to Quebec in the middle of winter—and yes, we really winter tested it. Snow, slush, and subzero temps included.

Did the NX live up to its luxurious promise under pressure? Here’s our deep-dive review of the 2025 Lexus NX, with a special focus on how the NX 350h proved itself in real-world, cold-weather conditions.

Exterior Design: Edgy, Elegant, and Confident

The NX has always leaned into its aggressive design—and the 2025 model carries that torch forward. It’s sharp and sculpted in all the right places, with a more refined evolution of Lexus’s signature spindle grille, flanked by arrowhead LED DRLs and sleek headlamp housings.

The profile is clean yet athletic, with crisp character lines, a floating roof effect, and a full-width LED taillight baracross the rear. Even standing still, the NX looks like it’s moving.

Design Highlights for 2025

• New Color Options: Lexus introduces a cool new Celestial Silver and a warm Copper Dust.

• Updated Wheel Designs: 18-, 20-, and even optional 21-inch wheels for a bolder stance.

• Improved Aerodynamics: Lexus subtly tweaked the front air ducts and rear spoiler for better airflow, helping improve efficiency and cabin quietness.

The NX walks that tightrope between edgy and elegant better than most compact SUVs. It’s a standout, even parked next to a BMW X3 or Mercedes GLC.

Interior & Tech: Lexus’s New Era of Innovation

Open the door and the NX welcomes you into one of the most thoughtfully designed interiors in its class. The layout is clean, the materials are high-end, and everything feels intentional.

Infotainment & Tech Upgrades

The centerpiece is Lexus’s new-generation Lexus Interface infotainment system, accessed through either a 9.8-inch standard touchscreen or the available 14-inch display. It’s leagues ahead of the old Remote Touch system in every way.

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto? Check.

• Natural voice control that actually understands you? Check.

• Cloud-based navigation with OTA updates? You bet.

Pair that with an optional 10-inch head-up display, a Mark Levinson premium sound system, and a customizable digital gauge cluster, and you’re sitting in a tech-forward cabin that rivals anything in the segment.

Comfort & Materials

Seats in the NX are supportive and wrapped in plush NuLuxe or optional leather, with heating and ventilation for both front and rear passengers. Interior trim options include open-pore wood, aluminum, and high-gloss black, depending on the model.

Even rear-seat passengers will find decent legroom—better than you’d expect from a compact SUV—and a generous cargo area offers around 22.7 cubic feet behind the second row.

Powertrains: One for Every Type of Driver

The 2025 NX comes in a variety of flavors:

• NX 250: 2.5L 4-cylinder with FWD or AWD

• NX 350: 2.4L turbocharged engine with 275 hp

• NX 350h: Hybrid with 240 hp and standard AWD

• NX 450h+: Plug-in hybrid with 304 hp and 37 miles of EV range

While the NX 450h+ gets most of the press for its electrification, it’s the NX 350h that continues to strike the perfect balance of power, efficiency, and value.

Winter Tested in Quebec: The NX 350h Proves Its Mettle

This winter, we loaded up a 2025 NX 350h AWD and headed north—deep into Quebec’s snow-covered backroads and subzero highways. Why? To see how this luxury hybrid holds up when most SUVs start showing cracks.

Cold Weather Performance

Lexus’s eAWD system performed impressively, sending torque instantly to the rear axle when slippage was detected. On icy inclines and snow-packed corners, the NX maintained composure where many rivals would’ve spun out.

✔ Traction control kicked in subtly—not aggressively—maintaining stability

✔ Brake regen was well-tuned for slippery surfaces

✔ Cold start? No drama—just quiet hybrid operation and a warmed-up cabin within minutes

We also appreciated the heated steering wheel, heated windshield wipers, and quick-acting seat warmers—essential tools for Quebec’s frosty mornings.

Fuel Efficiency in Winter

Cold weather often reduces hybrid fuel economy, but the NX 350h still averaged an impressive 35 mpg in mixed conditions. That’s only slightly below its EPA-rated 39 mpg city / 41 mpg highway, and better than almost every luxury rival in this segment.

Safety & Driver Assistance Features

Lexus packs the NX with its full suite of driver aids under the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including:

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management

• Lane Tracing Assist

• Proactive Drive Assist (uses radar and camera to provide smoother deceleration in traffic)

• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

• 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor (optional)

During our Quebec testing, these systems helped maintain calm and control, especially on slick roads and in low-visibility snow squalls.

Pricing & Trims

The 2025 Lexus NX starts at $40,200, but the sweet spot for many buyers will be the NX 350h, which begins at $44,300.

Here’s a quick look at the core trims:

• NX 250 / 350 – Entry-level luxury, gas-powered

• NX 350h – Hybrid powertrain with excellent value and AWD

• NX 450h+ – Plug-in power with premium price

• F SPORT versions – Sportier looks, tighter handling

A fully loaded NX 350h F SPORT Handling tops out around $53,000, with every luxury feature imaginable. Compared to German rivals with similar equipment, that’s a relative bargain.

Final Verdict: A Cold-Weather Champion in Compact Luxury

The 2025 Lexus NX isn’t just a well-rounded luxury crossover—it’s one that’s been engineered for real-life conditions. From its refined hybrid powertrain to its superior winter performance, the NX 350h proves that luxury, efficiency, and capability can coexist beautifully.

✔ Pros: Impressive fuel economy, premium cabin, excellent winter traction, reliable tech

❌ Cons: Infotainment still has a few menu quirks, PHEV model is pricey

If you’re looking for a compact luxury SUV that’s ready for city commutes, long highway drives, and harsh winters alike, the 2025 Lexus NX—especially in 350h form—delivers one of the most compelling packages in the segment.

And if our Quebec test proved anything, it’s this: Lexus builds vehicles with resilience, precision, and heart.