Lexus NX goes hybrid-only for 2027 with bigger-battery plug-in and DC fast charging

All-hybrid NX confirmed for 2027

Lexus has updated the second-generation NX with a mid-life overhaul that removes the petrol-only variant from the line-up, leaving the 350h hybrid and 450h+ plug-in hybrid as the only powertrains. In North America, the change arrives for the 2027 model year and ends the gas-only NX 350, as detailed in MotorWeek's first drive of the refreshed SUV. ¹

For Australia, GoAuto reported in September 2026 that the upgraded NX will arrive in local showrooms during 2027 offered solely with hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, ending the turbo-petrol NX 350 locally. That follows the earlier withdrawal of the naturally aspirated NX 250, and GoAuto also reported Lexus has confirmed the petrol-powered RX 350 and LS 500 will be discontinued in Australia as their lines move to electrified powertrains — changes that leave Lexus increasingly reliant on electrification across its passenger and SUV range. ²³

Both the North American first-drive coverage and GoAuto describe the exterior changes as comparatively restrained — a flatter spindle grille, redesigned headlights, a double-L taillight signature and an illuminated Lexus wordmark — with the substantive work taking place under the skin and inside the cabin. ¹³

New-generation hybrid system and a longer-range plug-in

At the core of the update is Lexus's latest-generation hybrid system, which GoAuto reports incorporates a more compact e-Axle combining the transaxle, electric motor and power control unit, plus silicon carbide power semiconductors in the inverter to cut electrical losses. Lexus says revised battery output and power management improve efficiency and performance, with greater reliance on the electric motor under acceleration so engine revs track vehicle speed more closely — reducing the characteristic rise in engine speed associated with some hybrid powertrains. ³

The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid receives a newly developed lithium-ion battery with 30 per cent greater capacity and eight per cent more output, lifting claimed electric-only range beyond 100km on the WLTP cycle, according to GoAuto. The current Australian NX 450h+ uses an 18.1kWh battery and has an electric range of about 70km, and the updated model adds DC fast charging for the first time — the outgoing car is restricted to 6.6kW AC charging. Depending on market, the updated 450h+ produces between 215kW and 240kW, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.0 seconds. ³

In the North American market, MotorWeek's first drive reports the updated 450h+ produces 324 horsepower, up from 304, with DC fast charging and all-wheel drive standard on all 450h+ models, and Lexus quoting up to 45 miles of electric range. These are North American figures; Australian specifications have not been confirmed. ¹

The NX 350h hybrid picks up the sixth-generation Toyota hybrid system. MotorWeek reports North American total output of 244 horsepower from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder, up 5 on the prior year, available in front- or all-wheel drive, and Lexus's claim that in-cabin engine noise has been reduced 20 per cent, helped by denser sound deadening in the dashboard area. GoAuto notes the existing NX 350h develops 179kW in Australia, while overseas versions of the updated model are listed at 140kW to 180kW depending on market; some markets will also receive a new NX 300h pairing a 2.0-litre petrol engine with hybrid assistance for 145kW, though whether that variant reaches Australia is unclear. ¹³

Extensive chassis work behind a familiar face

Lexus has repositioned the plug-in hybrid's battery and revised its cell layout to lower the centre of gravity and increase body rigidity, as part of what GoAuto calls an unusually extensive chassis development program for a mid-life update. Lexus claims floor rigidity is up about 25 per cent through additional reinforcement and a new crossmember, suspension tower rigidity has risen roughly 30 per cent, and engine and transaxle mounting points have been strengthened to reduce noise and vibration. ³

New shock absorbers with ultra-low-speed valves join a variable-ratio steering rack with revised electric assistance and a steering wheel 10mm smaller at 360mm. All-wheel-drive variants gain revised control of the rear electric motor, which can now continuously drive the rear wheels in normal straight-line running rather than only under acceleration, cornering or low traction, and a new brake control function applies individual braking inputs during abrupt manoeuvres to help control yaw and body roll. The accelerator pedal and its software have also been revised for more linear response. ³

Lexus says the development program was carried out at its Shimoyama technical centre in Japan and at Germany's Nürburgring and surrounding roads, including high-speed Autobahn testing. MotorWeek's first drive, conducted in autumn outside Toronto — where North American NX models are built at Toyota's Cambridge, Ontario plant — found the transitions between gas and electric power completely seamless and the steering more precise than before, though that is the outlet's own driving assessment rather than a Lexus measurement. ³¹

Redesigned cabin and upgraded safety technology

The interior takes its lead from the latest ES sedan, with a cleaner horizontal dashboard built around a 14.0-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display — a sizeable increase over the current NX's 8.0-inch panel, GoAuto reports. New Responsive Hidden Switches illuminate as the driver's hand approaches, Mark Levinson-equipped models gain perforated metal speaker grilles with illuminated surrounds, and two new interior colour schemes, Abalos and F Sport-exclusive Prominence, join the range. ³

MotorWeek details the North American cabin similarly, noting a 12.3-inch digital cluster with a 14.0-inch screen running the updated Lexus Interface multimedia system, wireless phone charging and wireless smartphone integration standard, plus heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The trims have also been streamlined to Premium, Premium+, F SPORT and Luxury for both 350h and 450h+ models. ¹

The most distinctive new feature is Lexus's Sensory Concierge, which combines lighting, multimedia, climate and fragrance settings across three pre-set modes — Inspire, Radiance and Revitalise — with a glovebox-mounted fragrance generator holding up to three cartridges and five scents available, per GoAuto. MotorWeek describes the same system in the North American cars, where Lexus told the outlet the cartridges offer about 180 hours of use. ³¹

Safety equipment is upgraded under the latest Lexus Safety System+ package, with broader object detection, earlier adaptive cruise intervention approaching slower traffic, improved lane-change assistance and expanded driver monitoring, GoAuto reports. Blind-spot monitoring can now recognise bicycles and motorcycles alongside the vehicle, its detection area can extend when towing, lane-tracing and the driver emergency response system can continue operating while towing, and a revised 360-degree panoramic monitor adds a three-dimensional display with adjustable viewing angles. ³

Timing, pricing and what is not yet confirmed

MotorWeek reports the 2027 NX is set to arrive in North American dealerships early next year, with pricing to be released closer to launch. That outlet notes Lexus indicated pricing would not change too much, and expects a front-wheel-drive 350h Premium to start at or just under $US50,000 and a 450h+ Premium at just over $US60,000 — both outlet expectations rather than confirmed prices. ¹

For Australia, GoAuto reports that pricing, model grades and final drivetrain specifications for the updated NX will be announced closer to its 2027 launch, and that it remains unclear whether the NX 300h will be offered locally. The NX is one of Lexus's most important global models, with approximately 1.9 million examples sold across more than 90 countries and regions by the end of July 2026 since the original arrived in 2014. ³

Buyers in Australia should treat all figures in this report as overseas-market specifications until Lexus Australia confirms local detail. The 45-mile range figure is a North American data point, while the beyond-100km WLTP claim and market-dependent outputs come from GoAuto's reporting of Lexus's global announcement; neither set has been validated for Australian-delivered vehicles. ¹³