The upcoming Lexus NX’s extensive facelift has been revealed, but possibly the most important change to the SUV is the switch to all-hybrid powertrains with more range. News of the unveiling comes as the brand is cutting two petrol-only models from its Aussie line-up: the RX350 and LS500.

Expected to go on sale down under next year, the spruced-up NX range will come exclusively in petrol hybrid and plug-in hybrid form, with the NX350’s current 205kW, 430Nm 2.4-litre turbo four nowhere to be seen. 

Front view of a silver Lexus SUV with illuminated headlights driving through a tunnel.
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The entry point is the NX300h hybrid, which will make 145kW from a hybrid system that features a 110kW 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine. The NX350h, which is one level above it, should make up to 180kW.

Top of the range is the NX450h+, with a 2.5-litre petrol engine contributing to a total output of up to 240kW. That performance boost is helped along by the adoption of the sixth-generation hybrid system from the ES sedan, which shaves 10kg off the vehicle’s weight. 

The 450h+ will have an all-electric range of 100km, up from 72km for its predecessor. Battery capacity has swollen to 23.0kWh from the previous 18.1kWh, and unlike the current 450h+, it should support 50kW DC fast charging and 11kW AC home charging. The battery has also been mounted along the vehicle’s length instead of its width, which Lexus says has improved handling and stability.

Looks-wise, the renovated NX line-up keeps on with the brand’s Vital x Tech design language, which Lexus says creates a “sportier, more elegant appearance”. Notable changes include the frameless spindle grille, which is claimed to reduce drag, and revised headlights that are connected to the side intakes.  

Interior of a modern car cockpit with a large central touchscreen showing a cityscape, steering wheel on the left, blue ambient lighting.
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Inside, the NX gets a significantly revised look for the dash and centre tunnel, which have been simplified. The steering wheel is smaller, while the instrument display grows from 8.0 to 12.3 inches. A 14.0-inch touchscreen sits in the middle above hidden physical buttons that appear when the driver or passenger moves to touch them. The interior also gets a slightly sportier feel with the driver’s seat set down lower.

It’s also been revealed that the brand will have just three exclusively petrol-powered models down under next year thanks to the cutting of the RX350 and LS500 from local showrooms. Lexus said the move is due to “customer preferences”, with the axed vehicles only making up around 15 to 17 per cent of sales for the range.