The Lexus NX returns for 2022 entirely redesigned, now in its second generation and boasting a wider array of choices, with a quartet of powertrains and a similar number of trims. This crossover borrows its platform and some of its powertrains from its corporate cousin the Toyota RAV4, but you’d never know the two were related by looking. The NX’s creased styling, inspired by the larger and very popular RX, and modern, upscale cabin look and feel nothing like the Toyota.

Lexus has answered some of the sharpest criticisms of the old NX with this new design. There’s a big bump in cargo space, with 28% more behind the rear seat. A plug-in hybrid is now available, sharing its powertrain with the RAV4 Prime, there’s a new base model (also sharing its engine with the RAV) and mid-range models and hybrids get boosts in power and torque. Lexus has also banished its old touchpad infotainment interface in favor of a totally new infotainment system with big, bright touchscreens optimized to rely heavily on voice commands. 

Competition is fierce in this segment, and the NX goes head-to-head with crossovers like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Cadillac XT4 and Infiniti QX50. BMW and Cadillac offer more spirited performance, but the Lexus has edges in fuel economy, refinement and standard features. The Infiniti offers distinctive styling and more interior room, but fewer choices and tepid performance. Acura’s RDX has more horsepower and more cargo room in the base model, but otherwise the two models are square.

The 2022 Lexus NX is all-new, bigger on the inside and offers twice as many powertrain options as the previous generation, but it’s creased styling is evolutionary and not so different from before. Kristin V. Shaw

Lexus prefers a letters-and-numbers nomenclature, which can be confusing when trying to keep track of the progression, so let’s break it down: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h (hybrid) and NX 450h+ (plug-in hybrid). The 2022 NX 250 is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 203 horsepower; front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) optional. At the top of the lineup, the NX 450h+ shares its 302-horsepower plug-in hybrid setup with the RAV4 Prime. 

In between, the NX 350 includes a 275-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, up from 235 hp in the old NX 300. The 350h  matches two electric motors with the same 2.5-liter powerplant as the NX 250 for a combined total of 239 horsepower, up from 194 in the old 300h. Both hybrids come with all-wheel drive as standard and the gas-only options are available with front- or all-wheel drive. The bigger body weighs almost no more than before but comes with more room and cargo volume.

The 2022 Lexus NX shines as a luxury crossover, especially now that it has more oomph under the hood and more space. A family of four could travel comfortably in the NX in any of its iterations and Lexus’ comprehensive safety suite checks all the boxes. It gets a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS as well. Its streamlined looks and overall power won’t bowl anyone over, but it’s a solid choice for a crossover that has a reputation for longevity. 

The new NX’s dash is dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment screen on top models (lesser versions get a 9.8-inch unit) that’s a big step up from the old model. Kristin V. Shaw

Performance: 12/15

While the previous-generation NX included two engine options, the 2022 version doubles that choice to four. The base NX 250, available only in the base and Luxury trims, comes with an uninspiring 2.5-liter four-cylinder powerplant with an eight-speed automatic transmission. With 203 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque, the NX 250 is kind of like eating a peanut butter sandwich without the jelly, but it isn’t slow and it’s still a quiet ride in a nicely appointed cabin.

Take the leap to the NX 350 for a much-zippier turbocharged 2.4-liter pumping out 275 hp and 317 lb-ft through the same eight-speed automatic, now AWD is standard. The F Sport version of the NX350 is available in standard and Luxury variants. It gets cosmetic tweaks and an adaptive suspension that sharpens the crossover’s reflexes but doesn’t add any extra power.

Offered in standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, the NX 350h is a unique hybrid that doesn’t have a direct competitor at its price point. Equipped with the base 2.5-liter engine, the 350h experience is enhanced by two electric motors for 239 combined horsepower. There is no F Sport version of the 350h. Like the other NXs, its personality is sedate, but it’d be our choice among the lineup for its deft blend of decent performance and stellar fuel economy (up to 41 mpg in town).

Lastly, the top-spec NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid is the most expensive in the lineup, but it goes all out. Only offered in the upscale Luxury trim, the 450h+ is Lexus’ first plug-in hybrid and it boasts a notable 37 miles of all-electric range and a total of 302 horsepower between its 2.5-liter engine and two electric motors. Like the related RAV4 Prime, it’s pricey but doesn’t disappoint.

Fuel Economy: 15/15

Front-wheel drive 2.0-liter NX 250s deliver a respectable EPA-rated 26 mpg city, 33 highway and 28 combined, while AWD versions drop by 1 mpg in city and highway measurements. Moving up to the more powerful, AWD-only NX 350, fuel economy dips to 22 in the city and 29 on the highway; the F Sport version loses 1 mpg on the highway.

When in the market for an SUV that delivers better efficiency at the pump, a hybrid and PHEV are no brainers, and offer better mileage than any other small premium SUVs except for Lexus’ own UX hybrid. The NX 350h model fuel economy takes a big leap up to 41 in the city and 37 on the highway, and the 590-mile range will also feel like an indulgence. Of course, if fuel economy is at the top of your priority list, the 450h+ gets an EPA-estimated 84 MPGe, which includes the 37 miles of all-electric range, and 36 mpg combined city/highway.

To compare, a 2022 Acura RDX doesn’t perform quite as well as the NX 250 or 350, returning 23 mpg combined for the all-wheel-drive model and 24 mpg for the FWD model. Both the FWD and AWD Cadillac XT4 achieve the same EPA-estimated 26 mpg and 25 mpg combined, respectively, as the Lexus NX 250.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 14/15

Every 2022 Lexus NX is equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, the brand’s latest update to its suite of active safety equipment. It includes a generous set of features: forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and several more. 

New to the set are risk avoidance emergency steer assist, which helps avoid collisions in your lane of traffic by assisting with braking and steering as you make evasive maneuvers; left turn oncoming vehicle detection braking, which warns the driver of approaching traffic and apply the brakes if necessary; right and left turn oncoming pedestrian detection and braking, which works much like the previous feature but for slower-moving people and bicycles; oncoming vehicle detection to augment the pre-collision system; and an enhancement to the dynamic radar cruise control that helps to maintain constant speed when cornering. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the 2022 Lexus NX, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the SUV a Top Safety Pick+ award.

It’s bigger inside and can’t be described as small, but the NX’s back seat is still average in terms of passenger room among its competitors. Kristin V. Shaw

Comfort & Room: 12/15

Interior comfort and plushness are two of Lexus’ strengths, and the NX is no exception. For 2022, the new model has a bit more passenger room and cargo space. Accommodations aren’t tight, but many competitors offer a little more legroom or cargo volume.

Legroom in the NX is average at nearly 41 inches in front and a shade past 36 inches in the second row. Infiniti’s QX50 is fractionally smaller up front but makes up the difference in the back plus an inch to spare. The Acura RDX offers an inch more in the front and two more in the back. And Cadillac’s XT4 has the most room of this set, with a generous 44 inches in front and 39.5 inches in the back. BMW’s X3 is nearly even with the NX in most dimensions.

For about $3,000, the Premium package adds heated and ventilated front seats, a power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, power moonroof, and memory driver’s seat. Tack on another $3,000 to $4,500 for the Luxury package, which includes a 64-color ambient light system, open-pore wood trim, perforated leather quilted seats, and four-way lumbar support for the driver’s seat. 

Infotainment: 12/15

Lexus gave its infotainment system a complete overhaul, replacing the much-disliked touchpad with two options: a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen or the deluxe 14.0-inch unit with voice-controlled artificial intelligence. It’s futuristic and the graphics are crisp and clear. 

On the other hand, it’s heavily dependent on voice controls, which is not everyone’s cup of tea. To Lexus’ credit, the seat heating and ventilation controls are easy to find, as are the climate controls. But please, Lexus, bring back the tuning knob. Trying to search for tuning functions within the system can be an exercise in frustration. 

Other standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, W-iFi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 10-speaker audio system. A wireless phone charger is an option for any of the trim levels, as is a digital key and 10-inch head-up display. Audiophiles may want to seriously consider the Mark Levinson audio upgrade, which includes 17 speakers and 1800 watts of surround sound. 

A 28% increase in cargo room is a big win for NX buyers, but most rivals still offer more cargo room, both behind the rear seats and with them folded. Kristin V. Shaw

Cargo Space & Storage: 11/15

Lexus increased the cargo space for this model year, registering 22.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. That was achieved partially by the extension of the wheelbase by 2.2 inches and partially by reallocating the space to maximize use of the NX’s footprint. This is still modest compared to the QX50 (31.4 cubic-feet behind the rear seats and 65.1 with them folded), the RDX (29.5 and 58.9), the X3 (28.7 and 62.7) but about even with the XT4 (22.3 and 48.9).

To load up kids’ sports equipment or supplies from the landscaping center, the most convenient method of opening the back tailgate is to get a model with the power rear door with a kick sensor. However, a manual liftgate is standard on the base model. 

Cubbies and small storage areas are also sparse in the NX. The center console can hold a phone and a wallet but not much more, and while there are two sets of two cup holders each for the driver and passenger, there just isn’t much other small item storage. 

Style & Design: 8/10

Beautifully sculpted flanks and a sleek nose characterize the body of the new NX, and the new Lexus badging stretching across the back side adds a modern zing. The combination of the hourglass grille and deeply slanted, angular headlamps greet the observer first with a determined-looking fascia. 

From a design perspective, the NX has more flair than Cadillac’s CT4 crossover, with lines that direct the eye to the next plane and the next. Compared to the Acura RDX, the NX appears more aggressive and has a meaner-looking, villainous face. Or maybe it’s a superhero flying to the rescue; the beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the NX will tell its own tale.

The NX’s creased looks are shared with the larger RX and smaller UX. All are handsome and distinctive, though the big “Spindle” grille is an opinion splitter. Kristin V. Shaw

Is the Lexus NX Worth It? Which Lexus NX is the Best Value?

In terms of price, the Lexus NX is well-positioned within its competitive set. The NX 250 starts at $39,025 for the front-wheel drive version and $40,625 for the all-wheel-drive version and comes with a 203-hp inline-four. For an additional $2,000, you can get the NX 350, which boosts the horsepower up to 275. At $47,725, the NX 350 F Sport has the most stylish appearance and specially tuned adaptive variable suspension, seats with enhanced bolsters, and 20-inch wheels finished in gloss black.

The best combination, however, and one that will save a few trips to the pump, is the hybrid NX 350h, which slots in at $42,125. It comes with 239 total horses under the hood, a 7.2-second zero-to-60 time, and a 39-mpg combined EPA estimate. 

The 2022 Lexus 450h+ takes it a step further, with 304 total-system horsepower and a zippy 6-second zero-to-60 time, but it also costs $56,725. For $1,200 more you can go with the F Sport package on the 450h+, which gets the same 37-mile all-electric range and tacks on adaptive variable suspension for good measure.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Lexus NX?

The Lexus NX costs about the same to insure as its rivals. According to our data, the average 30-year-old female driver with a good record can expect an average annual premium of $1,989. BMW’s X3 SDrive 30i would ring in at $2,100, an Infiniti QX50 $2,242, the Cadillac XT4 $2,055 and the Acura RDX $2,000. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, see our car insurance calculator.