The 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury AWD SUV

What is a NX? The NX is a compact SUV built in the Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan, assembly plant and sold worldwide by Lexus. The h+ model means it’s a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that offers a blend of performance, efficiency, with luxury features, and has all wheel drive (AWD) as standard equipment.

And what does the 450h+ mean? On a 2026 Lexus NX compact SUV the 450h+ model designates that it is a PHEV edition, featuring a powerful 304 horsepower hybrid electric system with a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder gas engine, electric motors, and a battery with a significant all electric driving range of around 37 miles. Then it switches to a gas and electric hybrid mode, offering a longer driving ranged of up to 540 miles combined, with strong performance and eco-friendly capability.

Here’s a breakdown of the 450h+ designation:

450: Indicates a higher performance level within the hybrid lineup, more powerful than the standard NX 350h.

h: Denotes it is a hybrid electric motor powered vehicle.

Plus +: Signifies it’s a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), meaning it has a larger battery pack that can be charged externally for electric motor only driving.

Some key features of this 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV AWD SUV model are:

Power: 304 net horsepower, combining a gas engine and electric motor.

Electric Range: Up to 37 miles on electric power alone.

Fuel Economy: 84 in MPGe terms when using electric power only, and 34 MPG in the gas and hybrid mode.

Drivetrain: Comes with E-Four electronic all wheel drive (AWD) as standard equipment, and it runs thru a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Interior & Technology: The NX 450h+ features a driver focused cockpit with a standard 14″ touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and has a comprehensive suite of safety features that Lexus calls its Safety System+ 3.0.

Charging: The high capacity lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in approximately 3 hours using a 240V Level 2 power source with the standard 6.6 kW onboard battery charger. Dual voltage charging cables for Level 1 and Level 2 are now included.

Available Trims: For 2026, a new entry level Premium grade has been added to the NX 450h+ lineup, joining the existing Luxury and F SPORT Handling trims. The NX 450h+ is Lexus’s Luxury Edition SUV, with the long range plug-in hybrid option blending performance, luxury, and significant all electric driving range.

To showcase this new 2026 model, this week Lexus sent me a NX SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this 450h+ PHEV Luxury AWD Edition is $61,740. The options on the test SUV are: the front cross traffic and lane change alerts for $270, the Mark Levinson premium audio system for $1,020, the premium paint for $500, the panoramic glass roof panel for $500, the panoramic view monitor for $800, the digital key technology package for $375, the roof rack cross bars for $395, the wheel lock package for $99, and the carpeted cargo mat for $140. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), including the $1,295 delivery charge is: $67,134.

After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to $75,526. At just 474 bucks under $76 Grand, you get a premium optioned compact luxury SUV, that gets 84 MPGe in electric mode, and 34 MPG in combined driving, plus you can drive up to 37 miles on a full battery charge. With this hybrid PHEV+ plus option you can plug in and charge the SUV and drive it as an all electric vehicle, if you want to. With a PHEV the choice is yours, drive in electric only mode all day long, and then switch to gas and hybrid electric combined power for the longer trips like to Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs, and down to LA.

Charging a 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ Plug-in Hybrid varies from about 2 to 5 hours on a Level 2 240V home charger, to roughly 12 hours on a standard 120V household Level 1 outlet. Actual charging times depend on the charger type, and the battery’s starting charged state. Here is a breakdown of the charging options and charging times:

Level 1 on a 120V household outlet: Expect to charge your vehicle for about 12 hours for a full charge, which is perfect for overnight top off’s.

Level 2 on a 240V at home, or on a public charger: A faster option, often taking about 2.5 to 4.5 hours to fully charge the battery pack from empty.

Level 3 public DC fast charging: While less common for PHEVs, it’s the quickest method, but specifics for the NX 450h+ aren’t detailed for these results. If the PHEV can charge at level 3, the DC fast charger typically fully charges a PHEV in about an hour.

Now, what does it cost to buy a 2026 Lexus NX SUV? The 2026 Lexus NX starts around the mid $40,000s, with the gas powered NX 350 starting at $44,825, and the efficient NX 350h hybrid beginning at $45,470. Prices increase significantly for higher trims like the Luxury Edition, or the F SPORT Handling model, with the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions starting at the low $50,000s and more, depending on the specific model features and total option packages.

Then, who is the real buyer for a 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury AWD SUV?

Buyers for the 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ are typically luxury SUV shoppers seeking premium tech, comfort, and significant electric range of around 30 miles, or more, often downsizing from larger SUVs like the RX, valuing high end features, and Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) efficiency, for city dwellers and small families wanting Lexus quality with eco-friendly performance, like:

Tech & Comfort Seekers: Buyers drawn to the large screens, a quiet cabin, plush interior and advanced features like kick sensors and premium audio systems.

Eco Conscious Luxury Buyers: Those who want Lexus luxury, and prioritize a significant electric driving range of 35+ miles, and lower emissions, leveraging the extended range of the PHEV+ technology.

Downsizers from Larger Luxury SUVs: People moving from bigger vehicles like the Lexus RX to a more manageable, yet still luxurious, compact SUV.

Tech Savvy City Dwellers: The compact size and electric range make it perfect for urban environments, with good handling and easy maneuverability.

First Time PHEV Buyers: The NX 450h+ offers an accessible entry into plug-in hybrid ownership with excellent range, making it a strong first hybrid PHEV choice.

Electric Range: Up to 37 miles of EV electric driving range for daily commuting.

Premium Audio: The Mark Levinson premium sound system in a 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ SUV features 17 speakers with Mark Levinson PurePlay Surround Sound, delivering 1,800 watts, for an immersive high fidelity audio experience throughout the cabin, and is often found in the Luxury and F Sport trims as a top tier upgrade over the basic audio system.

Value: Offers luxury features at a lower price point than larger models like the RX.

Lexus Quality: Expected high build quality, reliability, and premium materials.

If this buyer is you, then call, click or visit your local Lexus dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2026 Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV Luxury AWD SUV. And remember that the base price for a new compact NX SUV starts at only $44,825.

The current brand tagline for all Lexus vehicles, including its 2026 SUV lineup, is Experience Amazing. While Experience Amazing is the overarching global slogan, specific model lines like the Lexus SUV’s sometimes feature campaign specific phrases such as, Room for Everyone, and Luxury for All.

The key to life is to learn something new every day, and by reading my Bottom Line review, I hope you did just that, learned about something new and exciting. So, be smart, stay safe, and just breathe. Remember, You Are What You Drive, and maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should Drive one, Buy one, Today. Drive safely, have a great day, and enjoy the ride, as the future looks nice and bright – Tony the Car Guy.

This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. Tony the Car Guy is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net