10 things you should know about the 2024 Lexus NX 450h+

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Introduced for MY2022, the second-gen Lexus NX has received its second model year update in the U.S. and become an MY2024 product. The 2024 Lexus NX, just like the previous model, is largely a carryover model. However, there are some small revisions here and there. What has remained unchanged is the inclusion of a 450h+ plug-in hybrid variant.

Here are ten things you need to know about the 2024 Lexus NX 450h+, including its most popular traits carried over from the previous two model years as well as all the small model year changes:

The powertrain of the 2024 Lexus NX plug-in hybrid clubs the A25A-FXS 2.5-liter engine with two electric motors. One motor powers the front wheels, and the other unit powers the rear wheels. The engine is the same ‘Dynamic Force Engine’ naturally aspirated that Toyota employs in the RAV4 Prime (RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid).

The second-gen Lexus NX sits on the same platform as the fifth-gen Toyota RAV4 – GA-K – and both models belong to the same segment. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain produces the same total power as that of the mechanical sibling – 302 hp.

The 2024 Lexus NX 450h+ allows the driver to choose from four drive modes: EV mode, AUTO EV/HEV mode, HEV mode, and Self-charge mode.

The vehicle runs on the electricity stored in its traction battery in the EV mode, thus emitting no CO2 from the tailpipe. In the AUTO EV/HV mode, the vehicle automatically selects the drive mode, either pure electric or hybrid, depending on the amount of charge remaining in the traction battery, route, traction information, and other data. The powertrain uses both gasoline and electricity in the HV mode to allow maximum performance. In the Self-charge mode, the traction battery charges itself up using the engine’s power.

Being a technical cousin of the RAV4 PHEV, the NX PHEV also has an 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. However, while the Toyota model can travel up to 42 miles (EPA-est.) in EV mode on a full charge, the Lexus model’s EV range (EPA-est.) is 37 miles. The combined fuel economy (EPA-est.) is 84 MPGe, about 11% lower than the RAV4 Prime’s (94 MPGe).

Another commonality between these plug-in hybrid SUVs is the capacity of the onboard chargers. Like Toyota’s RAV4 PHEV, Lexus’ NX 450h+ comes with a 3.3 kW onboard charger as standard. Similarly, there is an option to upgrade to a 6.6 kW onboard charger. Fully charging the battery pack takes approximately 4.5 hours with the 3.3 kW charger or about 2.5 hours with the 6.6 kW charger.

The 2024 Lexus NX plug-in hybrid allows driving at a max speed of 135 km/h (84 mph) solely on electric power. That’s the same EV mode top speed as the RAV4 PHEV, one of the popular plug-in hybrid models in the mass market segment. Toyota’s plug-in hybrid SUV can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while Lexus’ plug-in hybrid SUV can accomplish the same in 6 seconds. The 2024 NX 450h+’s track top speed is 124 mph.

The 2024 Lexus NX 450h+ has a slightly better interior than the previous model, but the improvements are just aesthetic changes. Unlike the previous model, the new model’s glove box and passenger side center console features color-keyed elements. This change applies to four color and material options – Black (available in the base grade), Black/Rich Cream (available in the base grade), Palomino (available in the base grade), and Rioja Red NuLuxe (available in the F Sport Handling grade).

There’s one more interior enhancement in the 2024 Lexus NX 450h+. If you choose the Circuit Red or Black/Rich Cream color, the front and rear door panels come with color-keyed elements, which wasn’t the case in the previous model.

The plug-in hybrid variant’s significantly bigger battery doesn’t compromise its practicality. The cargo space and the fuel tank capacity are the same as those of the gasoline variant. The cargo space is 22.7 cu. ft., and it’s possible to expand that to 46.9 cu. ft. by folding down the rear seats. The fuel tank capacity is also the same – 14.53 gal.

The 2024 NX has a highly digital interior with many new/improved technologies over the first-gen model. Lexus is offering a 7-inch HD MID and a 10-inch head-up display, although a larger, 12.3-inch HD customizable display similar to the German rivals would have been nicer. Even the (Euro-spec) Toyota Corolla Cross comes with a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster. The steering wheel has new ‘Touch tracer’ switches with a touch-based operation.

In the center stack, there’s an all-new Lexus Interface multimedia system. Developed in the U.S., it integrates a 9.8-inch touchscreen or a significantly larger, 14-inch touchscreen. Lexus Interface features cloud navigation, a new Voice Assistant, dual microphones, enhanced noise-cancellation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. Nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination with 14 mood lighting theme options, a wireless smartphone charger, and Digital Key make the 2024 NX more appealing than the first-gen model.

Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 is standard on every NX model, including the plug-in hybrid. In addition to the current safety features for NX, including Road Sign Assist, Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Intelligent High Beam, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, the new version of the Lexus Safety System includes four advanced safety features.

Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist applies brakes gently and steers the vehicle when needed to keep the car within the lane and avoid a collision. Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking warns the driver and engages the brakes if the driver is about to make a left turn in front of an oncoming vehicle. Right/Left Turn Oncoming Pedestrian Detection/Braking warns the driver and applies the brakes if the driver turns left or right in front of an oncoming pedestrian or cyclist. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management manages the vehicle’s speed even in curves when the driver has enabled cruise control.

Lexus has confirmed the following standard features for the U.S.-spec 2024 NX 450h+ F Sport Handling:

Like the Tesla Model Y, the second-gen Lexus NX is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ model, receiving a ‘Good (G)’ rating in all the parameters of crashworthiness. IIHS found the headlights of the Japanese SUV offer Good (G) safety across variants, whereas the Tesla offers the same level of safety in the Performance variant only.

Another aspect where the NX outperforms the Model Y is the design of child seat anchors. The latter’s lower anchors are deep in the seat, but the former’s lower anchors aren’t. The NX received the highest, ‘Good+ (G+)’ rating for child seat anchors, while the Model Y was awarded the Average (A) rating for the same.

Priced at USD 58,655 in the base grade and USD 59,905 in the F Sport Handling grade, the 2024 Lexus NX 450h+ has started arriving at U.S. dealerships. We’ve seen the new model in stock at Sharon, Massachusetts-based Herb Chambers Lexus of Sharon, Tustin, California-based Tustin Lexus, Towson, Maryland-based Lexus of Towson, and several other dealerships.

Early units of the second-gen NX were only coming from Japan, where production takes place at the Tahara Plant and the Kyushu Miyata Plant. In April 2022, the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada factory in Cambridge, Ontario, also started making the second-gen NX. However, Japan continues to be the exclusive manufacturer of the plug-in hybrid variant.

The 2024 Lexus NX is now on sale in the U.S.

Audi Q5, BMW X3, Cadillac XT4 & Mercedes GLC are credible Lexus NX competitors.

The 2024 NX plug-in hybrid’s prices start at USD costs USD 58,655.

Featured Image Source: Lexus

With a Master’s Degree in Business Management & Administration, I’ve been working as an International Automotive News Editor since 2014, and have gained a wealth of knowledge and insight into hybrid and electric vehicles.