A Closer Look at the 2021 Lexus NX300h Hybrid

Vehicle Front

Drivers who are seeking an economical SUV, but don’t want to sacrifice luxury or style should take a look at this Lexus 300h hybrid.  

Text and photos by Chad Haire

Engine

Under the hood is a 2.5-liter engine cranking 150 horsepower. Add three electric motors, the total output raises to 194. It does a good job of pulling this vehicle's hefty two-ton mass. Fuel economy is claimed to be 33 mpg city, 30 highway, with 31 overall. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 NX300h right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Hybrid Cables

These cables are painted orange for a reason, as there are about a jillion volts running through. Handling these without the required factory-approved gloves can ruin your day. DO NOT TOUCH!

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Transmission shifter

Like most hybrid vehicles, the transmission is a CVT. The shifter is a common stick style. 

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F-Sport

Our car came with the F-Sport option. This includes items like sport-tuned suspension, heated steering wheel, black 18-inch wheels, 225/80R18 tires, and a two-piece luggage set shipped to your home address!

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 NX300h right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Drive Mode

The sport suspension has three modes of operation, ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT. 

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Paddles

Paddle shifters on the steering wheel look cool even if they don't do much for performance. 

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Infotainment Control

The infotainment system is operated by a finger touchpad instead of the older Lexus control stick. It can be awkward to use when moving but will be easier to master with a bit of practice. 

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Camera

The rearview camera is very high quality and gives a sharp image. 

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HVAC

The climate controls are easy to operate. We also get a real analog clock that will still be ticking after the warranty has expired. 

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POV Drive

The Lexus 300h is very comfortable on long trips, due to the soft ride and low wind noise. Real-world fuel economy on ours was 26/31 mpg.

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Price

The base NX 300 non-hybrid starts about $37K. You want this 300h hybrid with F-Sport, the price of admission is $47,835.

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Vehicle Rear

Overall, the Lexus 300h is a very pleasant vehicle, and since it is totally made in Japan, by Japanese workers in the Japanese factory, quality control is excellent. That makes it worth the entry fee.

>>Join the conversation about the 2021 NX300h right here in the ClubLexus forum.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.