2022 Lexus NX 450h+ plus 2022 Lexus NX 350h : Which is best for you?

The 2022 Lexus NX arrives on the market this year after having been fully redesigned just a few months ago. The new Lexus NX is a compact luxury SUV that has always been known for its impressive reliability and remarkable efficiency. It also stands out when it comes to comfort as well as safety and it has one of the best retained value is in the segment. Now, the 2022 Lexus NX brings new features, a bold new design, more interior space, and an impressive list of powertrains.

Among these new powertrains is a brand-new plug-in hybrid engine found in the Lexus NX 450h+. This engine not only delivers more performance and more horsepower than the vast majority of plug-in hybrid engines in the segment, but it also delivers exceptional range. With the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+, you can cover 61 km without needing a single drop of fuel. This certainly makes it one of the most impressive powertrains in the segment, and with over 300 horsepower it is also one of the most powerful. 

That said, Lexus has also improved the hybrid powertrain in the new 2022 Lexus NX. The new Lexus NX 350h delivers 20% more power than the previous Lexus NX hybrid. With 240 horsepower under your right foot, you will enjoy the impressive performance in the NX 350h as well. So the question remains, which 2022 Lexus NX hybrid is best for you? Ultimately, it all depends on your needs.

Efficiency and Performance: 2022 Lexus NX 350h vs 2022 Lexus NX 450h+

The 2022 Lexus NX 350h offers 240 horsepower as mentioned above and comes standard with Lexus' AWD-e. The Lexus NX 450h+ offers 304 horsepower and like the NX 350h, all-wheel drive is standard.

Let's take a look at the fuel economy first. The NX 350h averages just 5.7 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 L/100 km on the highway for an average of 6.0 L/100 km. That's pretty impressive, especially for an SUV and even more so for a luxury SUV, and it's even better than the average fuel consumption of the NX 450h+. The latter averages 6.2 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 L/100 km on the highway.

This does not take into account the Lexus NX 450h+'s larger battery. The latter can actually travel 61 kilometers without using gas and can be recharged in just 2.5 hours at night at a Level 2 station. It is obvious that with this 100% electric range, the Lexus NX 450h+ will have a lower fuel consumption than the NX 350h.

That said, once the NX 450h+'s battery is depleted, it consumes more fuel. In other words, if you regularly drive a long distance, the most economical option may be the NX 350h, but if you're doing mostly short distance city driving, you'll be able to do the vast majority of your driving without using gas with the NX 450h+.

In terms of price, there is a difference of about $10,000 between the two, $49,900 for the Lexus NX 350h and $59,950 for the Lexus NX 450h+.

Ultimately, there are no wrong answers here. Both versions of the 2022 Lexus NX offer you better fuel economy, exceptional efficiency and a host of luxury technologies. It's up to you to decide which one is right for you!