DenverRx

Two weeks ago, I paid $50K on a vehicle (NX350h) I had never even test drove. I bought my first Lexus, an RX350, in 2016. On several occasions, I was given an NX200t/ NX300 as a loaner from the dealer. I hated them & couldn’t wait to get back in my RX. I felt the 1st gen NX were noisy, too cramped driver position, too stiff suspension, & underwhelming turbo power. When I talked with several people from dealerships who had driven the 22’ NX, they mostly said it was a great car, but not the same luxury as the RX. After a few hundred miles in my new NX350h, and my RX still fresh in my head, I’ll give you my opinions of the two (my NX has the 18” wheels).

Rough road comfort/ noise. Winner: RX. The RX has a mushy suspension, and possibly a little better sound insulation. The NX is still excellent on these surfaces, the RX is just a bit better.

Smooth road comfort/noise. Winner: RX (barely). The RX is a benchmark in quietness and smoothness. I am greatly surprised how quiet and smooth the NX is too. I was really worried about giving up ride quality for the sake of a smaller sportier vehicle. I don’t feel any much or any downgrade.

Power/ Acceleration. Winner NX. I am shocked how much faster my NX is over my RX. Could be my RX had the dreadful, hesitation prone, 8 speed automatic, and I’m at altitude, where the electric motors really help.

Handling/ Maneuverability. Winner NX (hands down). The RX is a heavy, lumbering vehicle. The NX is a blast to drive in comparison. With the smaller turning radius; no more 3 pt turns into a parking spaces. No more worrying If can clear a U-turn at an intersection.

Engine noise. Winner: Tie. Under hard acceleration, the NX is a little louder than the RX, however, is isn’t the 4 cylinder whine of a Rav4 (wife owns one). Being a hybrid, the NX engine runs at a constant ~1500 RPM. Most of the time, I don’t hear it at all. Also, I don’t hear the CVT noise some have mentioned.

The NXh has surpassed my expectations. I don’t feel I’m sacrificing any of the comforts of my RX while gaining a ton of performance (& insane MPG!). If you are hauling around a lot of people and gear, the RX is a better choice. Maybe the new platform on the Gen 5 RX will make it a better handling SUV. The new hybrid options are going to help it’s MPG.

Lexus22563

I have the 350h premium with 18 inch wheels and I don’t have an RX 350 to compare it to. But I am very happy with the performance. When I need to speed up to enter the highway it gets up to 70mph in no time. It is quiet at highway cruising speeds and very quiet in suburban driving and congested driving. Mpg has been around 41.7mpg on 87 octane and about 44-45mpg on 91 octane. Performance is a bit better with 91 too. 87 octane is fine, but I will stay with 91 for now. Really like the new infotainment system.

I think this suv learns your driving habits and routes and tries to be more efficient. I think I read this somewhere.

lesz

What you are seeing with regard to power with the NXh is the result of the fact that, with the hybrid, when you are accelerating, the electric motors provide instant power, instead of having to spin up to provide power, which is the case with an ICE. The result is that the hybrid will perform and feel like it has more power than what you would think from just looking at the horsepower stats.

raviola4

I’d be curious how they’d compare if NX350h had std. all season tires as compared to the run flats? I have the 350h as well, and overall happy with ride quality, but it does have the run flats.

DenverRx

I had never driven a hybrid before. I assumed the electric motors were used mostly for initial acceleration, traction (snow conditions), and of course, for regeneration during slowdown/ braking. What a great benefit to have them kick in under hard acceleration. Haven't had such a performance car since my 93' MR2 Turbo.

Freds430

Thanks for the review. We are going to be in the same postion going to the NX 350h when if it ever comes in. At 39 mpg with gasoline at $4.50 a great plus.

anoop

FWIW, I tried a 22 RX 450h because it seemed more available but I preferred both the seat comfort and the ride quality of the NX (despite RFT on NX and non RFT on RX). The only things I liked more about the RX were the old school instrument cluster and the physical climate control buttons.

MTL2022

Test drove a couple of RX 350 / 350h 2020 / 2021 and their seats are very hard even on the non F model one, it's why we opted to wait.
Got a change to test drove the RX 350/350h 2022 and NX 350h 2022 within the same day. Their seats (RX) was changed and it was smoother than the previous generation.
Well it was a hard decision, but the RX 2022 still using the old tech. But we when with the 350h, it's a bit noisier since the back door was not well isolated as the RX and the glass of the RX has triples layers compared to 2 layers of the NX, but the noise level is not that difference.

But if you put the NX 350h in to sport mode, it's a total difference vehicle compared to the sport mode of the RX

Old Jedi

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isaacsow

We are going from a 2018 RX F-Sport to a '23 NX 350h mainly because we can't stand the hesitation and horrible shifting pattern of the 8-speed in the RX. NX is supposed to arrive in January...can't wait!

Dkaplan

I think you’ll love it!

DenverRx

I stand by my original assessment. I got a (22') RX loaner while my NX was in for it's 5K service. The RX is a smooth cruiser, with more backseat room (found that out hauling around 4 people during the holidays in my NX), but slow & heavy. Couldn't wait to get back into my NX