Photo courtesy of Lexus Internet Media.
The Bottom Line: What is a NX 350h? Feature packed, luxurious, and economical, the new 2022 NX 350h is easily one of the best hybrid crossovers on the market from Lexus. The subcompact luxury crossover segment has been expanding in the United States in the past few years, and Lexus has the perfect SUV in this class. The NX 350h Luxury Edition SUV is affordable, packed with upscale options, and it’s an AWD hybrid too. According to Lexus, the model name tag NX stands for – Nimble Crossover.
Fully redesigned for 2022, the Lexus NX lineup includes a mix of gas powered, mild hybrid, and for the first time, a plug-in hybrid model. The 2022 NX 350h represents the conventional mild hybrid, pairing a 4 cylinder gas engine, with dual electric motors, and replaces the outgoing NX 300h model.
How far can the 2022 Lexus NX go on a full tank of gas? The NX has a maximum range of over 590 miles in the NX 350h AWD all wheel drive edition. This means drivers can enjoy more miles per gallon with one single tank of gas. This is the most fuel efficient, non plug-in model Lexus sells, and it can travel up to 18 miles on electric power alone. The greenhouse gas rating is an 8, and the smog rating is a 7, both out of 10.
The Lexus NX Hybrid is a great SUV. As a mild hybrid the battery provides enough power for driving the car at slower speeds, like in residential areas, near schools, and city driving. The Lexus NX 350h Hybrid is highly fuel efficient when compared to other luxury hybrid SUV’s, with swift acceleration, and a first rate cabin. This hybrid gets 41 MPG city, 37 highway, and 39 MPG in combined driving. Fantastic MPG for an SUV.
This week Lexus sent me a 2022 Lexus NX 350h Luxury Edition AWD Hybrid SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this 350h model is $48,500. The options on the press SUV are: the digital interior mirror for $200, the 60/40 heated and power folding rear seats for $1,030, the triple beam headlamps and cornering lamps with washers for $850, the Mark Levinson premium audio system with 17 powered speakers for $1,020, a panoramic moonroof for $500, the panoramic view monitors for lane changing and front cross traffic assist for $1,070, the advanced parking assist package for $480, the smart phone convenience package for $450, a set of Lexus wheel locks for $95, the rear seat entertainment package for $110, rear and side puddle lamps for $325, illuminated door sills for $460, a rear bumper protector for $130, and the carpeted cargo mat for $110.
The MSRP manufactures suggested retail price, including the $1,075 destination charge, is: $56,405. After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the total out the dealers door and in your garage purchase price came to: $63,456.
At just over $63K this Lexus subcompact luxury crossover SUV has all the right stuff. Hybrid drivetrain with great overall fuel economy, check. A luxury leather interior with a fabulous Mark Levinson sound system, check, and the technology, safety, handling and the prestige of a Lexus, for way less than all of the German competition combined.
To get to this level of sophistication we start with a 2.5L liter hybrid gas engine, paired with a larger battery pack and more powerful electric motors, for a total of 240 HP horsepower. This engine is bolted to a CVT continuously variable transmission, that sends power into an AWD all wheel drive computer controlled driveline, for superior traction, control and stability.
Comfort and luxury starts with a set of heated and power adjustable leather trimmed front bucket seats, a leather trimmed steering wheel, a dual zone automatic climate control system with interior air filters, a 7″ full color center stack display screen, an auto dimming rear view mirror with HomeLink garage door openers, a full set of carpeted floor mats, and a rear cargo tonneau cover to hide all your valuables from prying eyes.
When you’re ready to buy a new subcompact luxury crossover SUV, the 2022 Lexus NX 350h Luxury Edition AWD Hybrid SUV should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the best subcompact SUV’s for sale in America. Call, click or visit your local Lexus dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the NX 350h luxury hybrid SUV. And remember, that the base price for a new NX 350h starts at only $41,550.
Lexus – Let’s Go Places.
Be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive”© And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today”©.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a “Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense”© editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy”© is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net
Originally published at Tony Leopardo