It doesn’t make much sense to me.
Last month, Toyota sold more than 28,000 copies of its RAV4 compact SUV in the U.S. That’s a huge number, and it was actually a down month for the RAV4. Toyota is in the process of converting factories from building the fifth-generation RAV4 to building the sixth, which means it’s producing fewer than normal.
Most months, the RAV4 is one of the three best-selling vehicles in the U.S., behind only the large pickups from the Detroit Three. If we exclude fleet sales, it’s often the top-selling retail vehicle in the country.
And the car I’m driving is, essentially, a better RAV4. The 2026 Lexus NX rides on the same platform and uses many of the same parts. It is, fundamentally, a RAV4 with added luxury and refinement.
Yet, the NX flies under the radar of most American car shoppers. Lexus sold just over 5,500 of them last month – about one NX for every five RAV4s. Its larger cousin, the 2026 Lexus RX, outsells it 2-to-1.
I’m here to argue for the quiet (literally) NX. The compact luxury SUV from Lexus is not as well-known as it should be. Available in gas-powered, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions, it’s exceptionally smooth, surprisingly sporty, holds its value better than nearly anything else in its class, and starts at a price not terribly higher than the uber-popular RAV4.
I spent a week driving it around Washington, D.C., and its suburbs, and walked away baffled that it isn’t a blockbuster hit.
Stop overlooking this thing, America.
Which Trim Level
Lexus builds the NX in a bewildering array of trims, including four gas-powered versions, eight hybrid grades, and three PHEV models. Lexus loaned me the 350h (meaning hybrid) F Sport Handling all-wheel drive (AWD) version. It came painted in a gloriously lustrous red that Lexus calls Infrared, with a gorgeous red-and-black interior. I would spring for the Mark Levinson 17-speaker PurePlay Surround Sound system that came with it if I were shopping for one of these.
New 2026 Lexus NX Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$46,070 |
$44,000 |
|||
$46,720 |
$44,600 |
|||
$47,995 |
$45,900 |
|||
$48,645 |
$46,500 |
|||
$52,135 |
$49,800 |
|||
$52,695 |
$50,400 |
|||
$52,785 |
$50,400 |
|||
$54,545 |
$52,100 |
|||
$59,105 |
$56,500 |
|||
$63,035 |
$60,200 |
|||
$64,125 |
$61,300 |
Favorite Feature
It’s difficult to pick a standout feature of this, or any other NX model, because the Lexus compact SUV is so well-balanced. It brings home an A- in every class, from comfort to sound system to handling.
But for the 350h I tested, its best feature comes in two numbers on the window sticker. It managed 39 mpg in combined driving – fully 15 more than a comparably-equipped non-hybrid version. Yet its price sat just $3,400 above that of a comparably equipped gas-powered model.
The EPA estimates that the average driver would save $1,150 per year on gasoline by buying the hybrid version. The hybrid system pays for itself in less than three years. The government, we should note, estimates the price of gasoline based on the average price in the previous quarter. These calculations likely work out even more in the hybrid’s favor at current, elevated gas prices.
What It’s Like to Drive
The NX isn’t built to be a high-performance model. The 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft. of torque of this hybrid model offer plenty of acceleration, but they don’t keep pace with a BMW X3 M50.
Instead, Lexus is known for buttery smoothness. Transitions between electric and gas power are virtually undetectable, shifts are nearly so, and power delivery is progressive and confident.
The F Sport Handling in this trim level’s name indicates an adaptive suspension and sport-tuned dampers. They do add a welcome note of athleticism, keeping the NX 350h flat through corners. But this isn’t one for the racetrack. It’s a stress-free cocoon from the noise of traffic.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Lexus is known for exceptionally soft materials knitted together almost seamlessly, and the NX delivers on that promise. Why would you want a fancier RAV4 when the RAV4 is already excellent? The buttery softness of the NX’s NuLuxe (faux leather) upholstery, comfortable front seats, and quick, responsive 14-inch touchscreen are all enticing improvements over the Toyota equivalent.
Rear seat legroom is a little tight at 36.1 inches, but within normal limits for this class.
The one interior upgrade I’d consider worth the investment is the 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson surround sound system. Levinson systems are consistently among the best in the luxury classes. This one is clear and powerful throughout its entire range.
The NX’s slightly curvy look robs it of some cargo space. More on that in a moment.
Limitations
Lexus has stuck with curvy, aerodynamic designs for its family-friendly SUVs, even as some competitors have adopted a boxier, more rugged look. I like what it does visually for the NX, but it compromises cargo space somewhat.
With the rear seats folded, NX owners have access to 46.9 cubic feet of space. Acura RDX buyers get 58.9 cubic feet. BMW X3 buyers get 67.1 cubic feet.
Key Considerations
The NX easily wins the depreciation battle among compact SUVs. NX buyers recover more of their initial purchase after 5 years than those who buy any other model in its class.
