Lexus NX

The 2026 Lexus NX350h.

How it looks when you see on the street: The Lexus NX has several different flavors — we’ve driven them all and find the NX has an understated, elegant and nimble small SUV.The F-Sport cuts a sleek, neat and tidy form in its latest iteration, noted in tweaks to the windshield and use of LED headlamps. It was a finalist for 2022 World Car of the Year a few years back. We last drove the 2026 NX 450h +, a hybrid equipped with all-wheel drve,same essential form, different execution as this gen runs through its cycle.

How it makes you feel when you get in: The interior is luxe, leathery and spacious. The UX system at times on our test car was clunky — too much happening all at once. There’s two size screens — a 9.8 inch screen or 14 inch that can be optioned in. Wireless charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The power moonroof opens up the cabin space. It’s got plenty of standard driver assistance features, and fun options like an ambient interior lighting system with 64 different color choices. We’re fans of the Mark Levinson stereo system, which is available on Premium and Luxury packages.

How it drives: Smooth and steady. It was a snap to weave throuhg traffic. The all-wheel drive model we tested has serene handling and produced a confident 304 horsepower and earned 84 miles per gallon combine and 34 miles per gallon running on gasoline.

Space for people and things: It earns high marks for its interior space for people and things in the compact SUV, or crossover class, and where the NX shines on efficient ergonomics.It was last completely redesigned for the 2022 model year, and its handsome shape shows some flare and also maximizes space and proportion.

How much does it cost:The 2026 hybrid model of the NX 450h+ that we drove was priced at $67,289. It tacked on the Mark Levinson sound system. It starts at $40,000 and with the F-Sport model we drove, it starts at $48,000. The hybrid version starts out at $58,000.