Lexus just committed the NX entirely to electrified powertrains. Starting with the 2027 model year, every NX sold in the United States will be either a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid. The turbocharged gas-only NX 350 that generated 275 hp for 2026 is gone from the lineup. What replaces it is a more sophisticated pair of drivetrains built around a redesigned hybrid system, sharper exterior styling, and a cabin tech package that includes, on upper grades, a coordinated fragrance-and-lighting system Lexus calls Sensory Concierge.
The NX has earned its place as Lexus’ volume nameplate. The model set a sales record of 76,836 units in 2025, and Lexus clearly wants the 2027 version to build on that momentum rather than disrupt it. The all-hybrid move is a signal about where the brand is heading, but it’s also a practical bet: both powertrains are more capable than what they replace, and neither asks buyers to sacrifice much for the privilege of the electrified badge.
NX 350h HEV
The NX 350h hybrid gets a redesigned drivetrain architecture centered on a new e-Axle assembly that integrates the transaxle, motor, and power control unit into a more compact, lower-slung package. The 2.5-liter gas engine carries over in revised form, with a redesigned block casting that stiffens the joint between engine and transaxle to shift resonance away from combustion frequencies and reduce cabin vibration. Output from the gas engine alone is 186 hp at 6,000 rpm and 173 lb-ft at 4,200 rpm.
Total net combined system output is 244 hp, a 4 hp improvement over the 2026 NX 350h’s 240 hp. That number is modest on paper, but Lexus made changes to how the system delivers its power. Greater reliance on battery-sourced electric output during acceleration suppresses excessive engine speed and keeps engine rpm rising more in sync with vehicle speed. The practical effect is a more linear, less elastic acceleration feel than the prior generation’s CVT-dominated character. Silicon carbide power semiconductors in the inverter improve conversion efficiency throughout the system.
On FWD grades, the front motor generator produces 160 hp. AWD grades add a 54-hp rear axle motor, and the E-Four electronic AWD system has been revised for 2027 to operate continuously across all driving situations, not just during launch, slip, or cornering. Fuel economy is manufacturer-estimated at 44 MPG city/35 highway/40 combined for the FWD grade, 42/34/38 for AWD, and 41/34/38 for the F SPORT, which is AWD-only. EPA certification figures will follow closer to the on-sale date.
NX 450h+ PHEV
The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid is where the bigger engineering changes landed. A new lithium-ion battery with 8% more output and 8% more capacity powers a 203-hp front motor generator, up from 180 hp in the 2026 model. The rear motor carries over at 54 hp. Total net combined system output is now 324 hp, up from 304 hp in the outgoing 2026 NX 450h+. All-electric range is manufacturer-estimated at 45 miles across all NX 450h+ grades, up from the 37 miles EPA-estimated in the 2026 version. That 8-mile improvement is enough to cover most urban commutes without touching the gas engine.
For context, the 2027 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid on the SE grade also claims 44 miles of electric range at a substantially lower price point. The NX 450h+ counters with significantly more power and a fully realized luxury cabin, but buyers shopping purely on EV range per dollar will run that comparison.
DC fast charging is now standard on all NX 450h+ grades, using a NACS-style charge port. Using a 50-kW DC station, the manufacturer estimates a 10-to-80% charge in 35 minutes. AC charging from 10% to 100% on a 240V Level 2 charger takes as little as 2.5 hours under ideal conditions. The PHEV battery’s cell layout has been changed from longitudinal to transverse orientation, which Lexus says increases lateral body rigidity and lowers the center of gravity by dropping the battery mounting position.
Manufacturer-estimated fuel economy for the NX 450h+ is 39 MPG city/35 highway/37 combined for standard grades, and 38/34/36 for the F SPORT. All NX 450h+ grades are paired exclusively with E-Four AWD.
Chassis and Driving Dynamics
Both powertrains benefit from a suite of structural and chassis changes Lexus developed at Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama and refined further at the Nürburgring. Body rigidity improvements include a new floor cross member, additional reinforcement along the tunnel ridge, and redesigned suspension towers with integrated structural components. Lexus claims these changes contribute equally to sharper handling and improved ride comfort, which is a difficult balance to strike but a familiar promise from this brand.
On non-F-SPORT grades, the 2027 NX adopts new shock absorbers with ultra-low-speed valves that generate damping force in response to even minor suspension movements. F SPORT grades retain the Adaptive Variable Suspension system. Across all grades, a Variable Rack Gear with a more responsive steering ratio replaces the prior system, and the steering wheel diameter has been reduced by 0.4 inches to 14.2 inches. A new brake control system applies subtle braking during cornering to stabilize yaw and roll during abrupt maneuvers. Noise reduction measures, including revisions to the inner dashboard silencer, door glass, and rear body sound-absorbing material, reduce engine noise in the cabin by 20% compared to the 2026 NX.
Interior and Technology
Every 2027 NX grade now ships with the Lexus Interface multimedia system on a 14-inch touchscreen, paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The two displays are horizontally aligned across the instrument panel, and the system supports simultaneous dual Bluetooth phone connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a built-in drive recorder using the vehicle’s exterior cameras, and over-the-air software updates via a 5G connection. Wireless device charging is standard throughout the lineup. A 5-year Remote Connect trial is included for the 2027 model year.
The Intelligent Assistant responds to the voice command “Hey Lexus” and handles temperature, navigation, and audio adjustments, with Drive Connect providing access to Cloud Navigation and Destination Assist via live agents. A 30-day Wi-Fi Connect trial with unlimited hotspot data is bundled at purchase.
Premium and Premium+ trims include a 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System. Luxury grades step up to a 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson PurePlay Surround Sound System, which is also available as an option on F SPORT. On Luxury and F SPORT grades, the audio hardware is accompanied by Sensory Concierge, the system that coordinates cabin illumination, sound, climate, seat temperature, and fragrance across three modes. INSPIRE is tuned for energy and engagement. RADIANCE promotes focus through balanced sensory inputs. REVITALIZE leans toward calm, with ambient audio and soothing lighting. Three fragrances, named Shinmei, Seiyo, and Hanya, can be selected independently or experienced in coordination with the visual and audio outputs of each mode. It reads as an unusual feature list for a compact SUV, but Lexus is pitching the NX’s cabin as a retreat rather than a commuter box.
Grades and Assembly
The 2027 NX lineup simplifies to four grades: Premium, Premium+, F SPORT, and Luxury. Each is available in both NX 350h and NX 450h+ powertrains, giving buyers ten model configurations in total. On the NX 350h, Premium and Premium+ are available in either FWD or AWD; F SPORT and Luxury are AWD-only. All NX 450h+ grades pair exclusively with AWD.
Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 is standard across all grades, adding Emergency Steer Assist, Intersection Turn Assist, Front Cross-Traffic Alert, and Rear Pedestrian Detection alongside the existing suite of Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist functions. Traffic Jam Assist with temporary hands-free steering capability is available with a Drive Connect subscription.
The NX 350h is assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Ontario and at Toyota Motor Kyushu in Japan. The NX 450h+ is built exclusively in Japan at Toyota Motor Kyushu. Lexus has not announced pricing or a specific on-sale date; both are expected closer to the 2027 NX’s market launch, which the brand says will span global markets by end of 2026.
The NX that set a sales record last year was a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid surrounded by a gas model. The 2027 version makes the same bet without the gas safety net. Lexus is counting on the better powertrains to carry the argument.
Source: Lexus. Images courtesy of Lexus.
