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Lexus NX Luxury 2018 review: snapshot

EXPERT RATING
7.0

Likes

Stylish new exterior
Top-shelf safety offering
No need to start ticking options

Dislikes

Infotainment system is very fiddly
Not too much in the way of updates here
Not quite as cosseting inside as we'd hoped
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

It might not sound like it, but the Luxury is actually the entry point to the Lexus NX range. Yours for $54,800 for the NX 300 and $57,300 for the NX 300h in two-wheel drive, or $59,300 and $61,800 respectively if you spring for the AWD variants, the Luxury models happily arrive with enough equipment to ensure you won't be frantically reaching for the options list.

Under the bonnet, the 300-badged cars are packing a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 175kW at 4800rpm and 350Nm at 1650rpm. It's paired with a six-speed automatic driving either the front or all four wheels.

The 300h models are hybrid cars that make use of a 2.5-litre engine that pairs with an electric motor, lifting total output to 147kW and 270Nm. The AWD models are then fitted with a second motor at the rear wheels, producing an extra 50kW and 139Nm, although that bonus power is only intended to be used to help with initial traction, and doesn't impact overall outputs. That setup pairs with a CVT auto.

New for this mid-life update are auto-dipping wing mirrors, a bigger 10.3-inch multimedia screen controlled through a bigger remote-touch controller, a shark-fin antenna and new interior colours. That all joins the existing standard kit, which includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10-speaker stereo and leather-trimmed seats.

Every NX now gets the Lexus 'Safety System+' package as standard, which includes AEB, active cruise and a lane-departure-warning system that will apply an individual brake to drag you back into your lane if it senses you starting to drift. All that stuff joins blind-spot motoring, rear cross-traffic alert, trailer-sway control and an upgraded reversing camera with a new widescreen mode.

Read the full 2018 Lexus NX review

Lexus NX300H 2018: Luxury Hybrid (Awd)

Engine Type Inline 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type Unleaded Petrol/Electric
Fuel Efficiency 5.7L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $32,340 - $38,500
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$37,234
Based on 15 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$29,873
HIGHEST PRICE
$41,746
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications. Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism. He joined Top Gear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis. His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers. Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.   Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace. In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award. Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards. Expertise Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles Performance, luxury and supercars New-car reviews and road testing Australian automotive industry and new-car sales Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers Utes, SUVs and family vehicles Automotive technology Policy Awards 2025 Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year Featured Publications CarsGuide EV Central DMARGE The Sydney Morning Herald Marie Claire Top Gear GQ Australia The Australian WISH Magazine Boss Hunting The West Australian The Nightly Women’s Day Australia Carsales NRMA Men’s Health CEO Magazine Australian Financial Review The Daily Telegraph The Sunday Telegraph Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$29,873
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2018 Lexus NX
See Pricing & Specs

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