The 2027 Lexus NX arrives with no gas-only version in the lineup. Lexus announced the updated compact crossover on October 20, 2026, and every model now carries a hybrid or plug-in hybrid system. At the top, the NX 450h+ plug-in makes 324 horsepower and goes an estimated 45 miles on electricity alone.
That’s a real step up from the outgoing plug-in, which made 304 horsepower and carried a 37-mile EPA electric rating. The regular NX 350h hybrid also gains a few horses. Lexus says both numbers are preliminary, and the EPA hasn’t rated the new car yet.
So far, Lexus hasn’t announced prices. It says the new NX should reach global markets by the end of 2026, with grade details and pricing coming closer to the on-sale date.
What the 2027 Lexus NX drops and keeps
Lexus’s press release puts it plainly: all 2027 NX models are electrified. The lineup comes down to two powertrains, the NX 350h hybrid and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid. Each one comes in four grades: Premium, Premium+, F SPORT and Luxury.
The release itself doesn’t list the gas-only models that are leaving. However, AutoGuide reports that the NX is moving to a fully electrified lineup and “completely dropping non-hybrid powertrains.” In other words, a buyer who wants an NX from now on gets a battery and at least one electric motor with it.
The plug-in’s new numbers
Most of the plug-in’s gain comes from the front. According to Lexus, the NX 450h+ front motor generator now makes 203 horsepower, up from 180. The rear motor stays at 54 horsepower. Together with the gas engine, total net system output rises to a preliminary 324 horsepower.
The battery changed too. Lexus says the revised lithium-ion pack has 8% more output and 8% more capacity. It also arranges the cells across the car instead of lengthwise, and it mounts the pack lower. As a result, the estimated electric range climbs to 45 miles, compared with the 37 miles the EPA gave the 2026 plug-in.
One small catch is worth noting. The release’s highlights say the 45-mile estimate applies to “select grades,” while the body text says all 450h+ grades. Until the EPA publishes its ratings, treat 45 miles as Lexus’s own estimate.
Fast charging comes standard
For the first time, every NX 450h+ gets DC fast charging as standard equipment. Lexus says the car uses a NACS-style port behind a power charge port door. On a 50-kW DC fast charger, the release estimates a 10% to 80% charge in about 35 minutes.
At home, the numbers are just as practical. Lexus estimates about 2.5 hours for a 10% to 100% charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger, under ideal conditions. AutoGuide reports the same 35-minute and 2.5-hour figures.
The NX 350h hybrid
Meanwhile, the regular hybrid gets a smaller bump. According to Lexus, the NX 350h front motor generator makes 160 horsepower, and all-wheel-drive versions add a 54-horsepower rear motor. Total output is a preliminary 244 horsepower, which is 4 more than the 2026 model.
Both powertrains share a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Lexus rates it at 186 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 173 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. The company also redesigned the block casting with reinforced areas to cut noise and vibration. Then it added an e-Axle that combines the transaxle, motor and power control unit, which saves weight and lowers the center of gravity.
Lexus also published fuel-economy estimates ahead of the EPA. The front-drive NX 350h is estimated at 40 mpg combined, and the all-wheel-drive and F SPORT versions at 38. By comparison, the NX 450h+ is estimated at 37 mpg combined, and the 450h+ F SPORT at 36.
A quieter, sharper NX
The changes go beyond the powertrains. According to Lexus, engine noise in the cabin drops by 20% compared with the 2026 NX. To get there, engineers changed the dashboard, weatherstripping, glass and rear-body insulation. They also added a new floor cross member, more tunnel bracing and redesigned suspension towers.
On the outside, black mirrors and moldings replace the old chrome. The headlamps get a dual-line signature, and the taillights carry what Lexus calls its first “Double L” rear lamp design. Inside, a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a 14-inch touchscreen are standard on every grade, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The steering wheel shrinks, too. Lexus says its diameter drops 0.4 inches to 14.2 inches, and a variable-ratio steering rack is now standard. The company tested the car at Toyota’s Shimoyama proving ground and at the Nürburgring.
Where the 2027 Lexus NX is built
Lexus builds the two versions in different places. According to the release, the NX 350h comes from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Ontario and from the Toyota Motor Kyushu plant in Japan. The NX 450h+ plug-in, by contrast, is built only at the Kyushu plant.
For now, the record is clear on the main point. Lexus’s October 20 release lists the 2027 NX as a hybrid-only lineup, with the plug-in rated at a preliminary 324 horsepower and an estimated 45 electric miles.
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