Lexus NX News

Lexus has unveiled an upgraded version of its NX mid-size SUV featuring subtle design tweaks, a revised hybrid system and new battery tech as well as improved body rigidity and better ride quality.Offered across 300h, 350h and 450h+ variants in Japan, it’s likely the same line-up will be offered locally when the new car hits Aussie showrooms in the first part of 2027.The 300h is a 2.0-litre, front-wheel drive series-parallel hybrid with an overall output of 145kW, the 350h is a 2.5-litre hybrid in front- or all-wheel drive producing 140-180kW, with the 2.5L AWD plug-in hybrid flagship 450h+ delivering 215-240kW (with an EV-only driving range of 140km in Japan). At 4690mm, the new NX is 30mm longer than the model it replaces with width (1865mm), height (1660mm) and wheelbase (2690mm) unchanged. An exterior design refresh includes integrating reshaped headlights and DRLs with a raised mesh grille which is claimed to improve aero and cooling performance. Car-spotters should also look out for exterior mirror covers in black rather than chrome and LED tail-lights featuring a ‘Double L Signature’ graphic.Inside, a 12.3-inch instrument display is joined by a 14-inch navigation/multimedia panel with a ‘Sensory Concierge’ combining ‘linear illumination’, music, air conditioning, seat temperature, fragrance and ‘indirect lighting’ to “create a calm and sophisticated atmosphere.”The new car’s compact ‘e-Axle’ which integrates the transaxle, motor and PCU (Power Control Unit) now uses silicon carbide (SiC) in the inverter's power elements to enhance efficiency and improve fuel economy.At the same time the flagship NX450h+ features a new battery pack boasting eight per cent higher output and a 30 per cent capacity increase for additional range and even faster DC charging.By changing battery cell orientation from longitudinal to lateral, body rigidity has been improved and the car’s centre of gravity lowered for improved handling dynamics.Torsional strength has also been improved across the board through “reshaping of the engine block and increased rigidity of the transaxle and engine connection using reinforcing materials.” This also contributes to reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).Floor rigidity has been improved by approximately 25 per cent and the suspension towers have been integrated more thoroughly with connected components.The claim is a 30 per cent improvement in overall rigidity “resulting in improved handling, ride comfort and reduced road noise.”In fact, Lexus said the new NX’s performance characteristics have been fine-tuned at the Toyota Technical Centre Shimoyama, west of Tokyo and Germany's Nürburgring.New dampers feature ‘ultra low-speed valves’ for a better balance between handling response and ride comfort.The variable-ratio steering set-up has been recalibrated to adjust to changing demands faster and accelerator control has been revised for a more linear response. The steering wheel itself is also 10mm smaller in diameter.Standard wheels are 18-inch alloy shod with 235/60 rubber with F Sport grades stepping up to 20-inch rims and 235/50 tyres.Active (crash-avoidance) safety has also been “evolved to recognize objects more broadly and from a greater distance, expanding the range of accident scenarios it can address.”Other safety systems have also been upgraded, including:Active cruise controlLane-change assistPre-collision safetyDriver monitoringAdaptive high-beamBlind-spot monitoringPanoramic overhead 3D view Pricing and exact specification will be confirmed closer to the new car’s launch date but for reference the existing line-up starts at $71,830, before on-road costs, for the 350h 2WD Luxury and tops out at $96,090, BOC, for the 450h+ F Sport.  

A deadly 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Japan has halted production at multiple facilities across two major domestic car brands, Toyota and Nissan.As it currently stands 13 people have been killed in the earthquake and, as reported by Automotive News, production output of more than 5000 vehicles could be lost due to the facility shutdowns.One of the affected production facilities is Toyota’s Miyata assembly plant, which produces many Lexus vehicles. These include the ES sedan, as well as the UX, RX and NX SUVs.One shift was reportedly suspended at the Miyata production plant on July 28, following the earthquake. Production then restarted in the morning of July 29, but was suspended again in the afternoon.A decision was reportedly made to suspend production until July 31."Lexus Australia is currently assessing the impact of the recent Kumamoto earthquake in Japan on production and supply of vehicles for the Australian market," said a Lexus Australia spokesperson."While this is still an emerging issue, we can confirm that currently production for NX, UX, ES and RX has been suspended since 28 July, 2026 pending safety assessments and supplier impact."Lexus is currently studying the impact of this suspension and in the process of developing a recovery plan."Two facilities that manufacture components for Toyota vehicles reportedly suspended production following the earthquake.This reportedly includes Aisin Kyushu, which produces suspension components for Toyota vehicles, as well as engine components and doors. Ahrestry Corporation is also reportedly affected and it is an automotive diecast component maker.At this stage neither company has reportedly given a clear indication of when production output will resume at full capacity.Nissan partially suspended production at its Nissan Shatai Kyushu and Nissan Motor Kyushu facilities following the earthquake.The former produces the Nissan Patrol/Armada and Infiniti QX80 SUVs, as well as the Elgrand people mover.The latter, on the other hand, produces the Kicks and X-Trail SUVs, as well as the Serena people mover.“I can confirm that Nissan Motor Kyushu and Nissan Shatai Kyushu have partially suspended production this week due to earthquake-related parts supply delays,” said a Nissan Australia spokesperson.“At this stage, we have not received any information to suggest there will be any interruption to the supply of vehicles destined for Australia. However, the situation remains fluid, and we will continue to monitor developments closely.”

Lexus Australia is introducing a new entry-level version of its NX plug-in hybrid (PHEV) mid-size SUV.The 2026 Lexus NX450h+ Luxury AWD is set to be available from late September and is priced from $84,500 before on-road costs.This is $12,800 more than the entry-level NX350h Luxury 2WD, and $11,500 less than the flagship NX450h+ F Sport AWD.As part of this introduction, Lexus has axed the entry-level NX250 trim, making the NX350 F Sport the only non-hybridised variant on offer locally.All other carryover trims have received a $100 price rise. The line-up now starts from $71,700 before on-roads for the NX350h Luxury 2WD and extends to $96,000 before on-roads for the NX450h+ F Sport AWD.A full pricing table is at the bottom of this story.This new NX450h+ Luxury AWD is powered by the same 2.5-litre PHEV powertrain as the NX450h+ F Sport AWD. It has a total system output of 227kW of power and is claimed to be able to sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds.The two electric motors are fed by an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Lexus claims this allows for an electric range up to 87km, according to comparatively lenient NEDC testing.Owners can AC charge at rates up to 6.6kW, which at this speed will see the battery fully recharge in 2.5 hours.Lexus hasn’t confirmed the full specifications for the NX450h+ Luxury AWD just yet.Standard equipment that has been confirmed includes a power tailgate, keyless entry and push-button start, surround-view cameras, wireless phone charger, heated steering wheel, leather-accented upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with eight-way electric adjustment, and heated outboard rear seats.The NX450h+ Luxury AWD is now Lexus’ third PHEV offered in Australia. It follows the recent introduction of the RX450h+ Sports Luxury AWD in April.

Lexus has reopened order books for the NX450h+, the plug-in hybrid hero version of the brand’s most popular model in Australia.

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Lexus has bumped up pricing for three of its four best selling models, consisting of the ES sedan, UX small SUV and NX mid-size SUV.The pricing increases are relatively minor, and arrive at the middle of the year at which point the government’s LCT adjustments bring the pricing of some of Lexus’ more expensive models down.In terms of the most affected in terms of pricing shift, the Lexus ES sedan has copped a $520 price increase at its ES250 Luxury entry variant, now $62,140 before on-road costs, as well as its 250 F Sport grade.The hybrid 300h variants are all up by a $1990 increase, though, the most of any of the variants in this round of price adjustments.The entry to Lexus’ UX small SUV remains unchanged, still $46,085, but all the hybrid 250h models have been bumped up by $500, making the hybrid entry-point UX250h Luxury 2WD a $54,320 offering.The UX300e Luxury electric car remains unchanged in its pricing, but LCT adjustments mean efficient (i.e. hybrid) and electric vehicles above the threshold are now cheaper, so the 300e Sports Luxury is now $825 cheaper at $87,665.Even non-hybrid cars above the LCT threshold have been treated to a (smaller) price drop, so a lot of Lexus range - like the full RX large SUV line-up - is now a little more affordable.Finally, the NX mid-size SUV, which shares much of its underpinnings with the Toyota RAV4 and is by some margin Lexus’ most popular model (3425 of the brand’s 8300 sales this year), has been given a relatively gently price adjustment.The entry-level NX250 2WD is $375 more expensive, now $62,275, while every other variant bar a couple is up by $850.The other two both have benefited from price drops thanks to LCT changes, the NX350 AWD F Sport at $77,511 (down $680) and the top-spec (but hard to buy without a wait) NX450h+ AWD F Sport Plug-in hybrid at $90,948 ($475 less).Full pricing tables with changes noted can be found below.2023 Lexus ES pricing before on-road costs  2023 Lexus UX pricing before on-road costs  2023 Lexus NX pricing before on-road costs  

Increasing supply and continued strong demand have combined to create a market environment in which Lexus’ NX mid-size SUV is overtaking its European rivals after a record month for the brand.

Lexus says supply issues are clearing up, as it knows Australians are hungry for more hybrid and electric vehicles.

Lexus has raised pricing on its popular NX mid-size SUV by up to $2600 depending on the variant, while other lower-volume models in the brand's line-up have been more affected by pricing changes.The NX, with its entry front-wheel-drive NX250 variant, now

Lexus has announced that waiting times are now finally reducing on many models including the latest RX large SUV, with stock levels set to improve on 2021 levels by the end of the year.