The 2027 Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid Gets A Bigger Battery And Fast Charging

Lexus axed the gas-only NX, leaving only the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid

Photo by: Lexus

Iulian Dnistran

By: Iulian Dnistran

Oct 20, at 7:00am ET

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The 2027 Lexus NX is available with electrified powertrains exclusively.
On the NX 450+ plug-in hybrid, the battery gets a capacity bump and fast charging through a native NACS port.
More power and a longer all-electric range are also on the list of improvements.

The Lexus NX compact crossover is getting a makeover for 2027. The gas-only version has been scrapped from the lineup, leaving just the hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains on the table—and both get improvements.

A larger-capacity high-voltage battery enables a longer all-electric driving range on the 2027 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid. What’s more, a native Tesla-style NACS charging port can now handle DC fast charging, significantly slashing waiting times.

The 2027 Lexus NX 450h+ gets DC fast-charging capabilities for the first time. In North America, it will come with a NACS charging port.

Photo by: Lexus

The plug-in crossover gets a 22.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack, up from the outgoing model’s 18.1 kWh, enabling a manufacturer-estimated 45 miles of range on electricity. That’s eight miles more than the previous model.

When it comes to charging, Lexus said the new NX 450h+ can go from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes when hooked to a 50-kilowatt DC fast charger. On AC charging, using a 6.6 kW 240-volt charger, the crossover needs two and a half hours to go from 10% to 100% state of charge.

Power is also up compared to the previous model. The NX 450h+ PHEV comes standard with electric all-wheel drive and delivers a combined system output of 324 horsepower, up from 304 hp in the 2026 model. The gain in power is mainly attributed to the front motor-generator, which now makes 203 hp instead of 180 hp. Meanwhile, the 2.5-liter gas engine delivers 186 hp, and the rear-axle electric motor is good for 54 hp.

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid

Photo by: Lexus

According to Lexus, the new NX plug-in hybrid can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2027 Lexus NX 350h hybrid also gets a small power bump, reaching a combined output of 244 hp, 4 hp more than before. Weirdly enough, this figure applies to both the front- and all-wheel-drive versions, though the AWD hybrid model can accelerate slightly quicker than its FWD brother, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.7 seconds, compared to the front-powered model’s 6.9 seconds.

The hybrid model’s front motor-generator makes 160 hp, with an additional 54 hp coming from the rear motor on the AWD version. Lexus said it redesigned the hybrid system to rely more on the electric motor-generators and deliver a more torque-rich feel. That said, the 1.1 kWh battery is unchanged from the previous model.

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid

Photo by: Lexus

Under the skin, the 2027 NX’s suspension and steering have been revised, and the chassis rigidity has been improved, which should lead to a better driving experience, Lexus said.

Styling-wise, the compact crossover now comes with a new face, redesigned taillights, and black accents instead of chrome. Inside, all NX versions feature a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch central infotainment screen running Lexus’ latest software.

The steering wheel has a slightly smaller diameter than the 2026 model. On the dash, a soft-touch horizontal control panel hides a set of responsive switches with translucent surface panels for temperature control, defroster, and defogger.

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Last year’s base trim is out of the picture, leaving the Premium, Premium+, F SPORT, and Luxury grades on offer. All trim levels come standard with the automaker’s LSS+ 4.0 driver assistance system, which includes dynamic radar cruise control, lane centering, traffic jam assist, lane change assist, and automatic high beams.

Pricing for the 2027 Lexus NX has not been disclosed yet. The NX 350h hybrid is assembled at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) plant in Ontario, Canada, as well as the Toyota Motor Kyushu (TMK) plant in Japan. Meanwhile, the 2027 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid is assembled only at the Toyota Motor Kyushu (TMK) factory.

Gallery: 2027 Lexus NX 450h+ Plug-In Hybrid

2027 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid

Source: Lexus