Lexus NX 2023 review: 350 AWD F Sport

There are four models for the NX: the entry 250, our 350 F Sport, the 350h and the range topping 450h+ model.

The 350 F Sport is an all-wheel drive and is $78,191, before on road costs. That’s significantly cheaper than its nearest rivals with the Mercedes GLC 300 4Matic sitting at $105,000 and the BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport being $97,900, before on-road costs.

The features list is healthy with a colour head-up display, climate ‘concierge’ system, 360-degree view camera, heated and ventilated front seats plus a powered boot with kick-function coming as standard.

The NX350 AWD F Sport has a price tag of $78,191, before on road costs. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

I also like the heated side mirrors for those cold mornings, the 10-way power adjustments on the driver’s seat (eight-way on the front passenger's side) and lumbar support. But it is missing an extendable under thigh support which would have made our roadies that much better. There are a bunch of other cool tech bits, but more on that below.

Our model has also been fitted with the 'Enhancement Pack 2', which adds a panoramic sunroof, digital rear view mirror, heated steering wheel and the standard 10-speaker audio is upgraded to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system.

You can save yourself $4615.38 if you’re not fussed with those features but I’ve enjoyed using them this week.

The driver and front passenger seats feature lumbar support. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

Up front the interior is pleasantly roomy and well-proportioned. I have enough elbow, leg and headroom for my height (168cm/5'6") but still have that sporty sense of being ‘tucked-in’ by the car. Delicious!

Back seat passengers are also tucked in, but more in the way you’d swaddle an unruly cat that doesn’t want to go to the vet.

The legroom and headroom are a bit squishy for a taller passenger, like a 6'2" brother (sorry, bro!) but for shorter journeys, it will suffice.

The back seat is also quite narrow and should be considered as a ‘two-seater’ for everyday use and a ‘three-seater’ for occasional use. This also means you’ll only be fitting two child seats back there.

Up front the interior is pleasantly roomy and well-proportioned. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The front row gets the most amenities and tech. The massive 14-inch multimedia touchscreen looks fantastic and gives some cool-kid cred to the interior.

It comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but the built-in satellite navigation is super easy to use, too.

However, at times, the tech did fluster me while on the go. Where you expect there to be a button, it’s a touchscreen and vice-a-versa.

Especially, the 'E-latch' door handles. I’m sure there is a rhyme and reason to the operation of them but they’re not intuitive to use.

The back seat is quite narrow and should be considered as a ‘two-seater’ for everyday use. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The system consists of touch-sensitive handles to assist opening from the outside, and push-buttons on the inside.

It ended up being a running joke with my family. Which newbie passenger would get stuck not being able to open a door?

The storage up front is pretty good for a car of this size with two cupholders, a decent glove box, a middle console and a cool hidden cubby underneath the wireless charging pad.

Back seat passengers aren't as well served, which is a shame for a luxury model. You have directional air-vents, two USB-A ports and a 12-volt socket, plus a couple of map pockets. And that’s it.

The boot offers a practical capacity of 520 litres. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

However, I love the easy-to-clean trim on the back of the seats and the dark headliner, which is always handy in my family!

The boot offers a practical capacity of 520 litres. I love the level load space, as it makes sliding gear in and out that much easier and there’s a handy storage cubby underneath the floor for smaller items.

The powered tailgate is handy but it was fiddly to get going from the key fob. The kick-open function is really good, though!

The 350 F Sport has a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine with a maximum output of 205kW and 430Nm of torque.

That’s a lot of power for a medium SUV. This is an AWD but there are FWD and plug-in hybrid versions for the NX, if you’re after a ‘greener’ option.

The eight-speed auto transmission is deliciously smooth and combined with the powerful engine, it’s a fun SUV to drive.

Under the bonnet is a 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The official combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 8.1L/100km.

Real world testing saw my figure at 9.7L after a mix of open-road and urban driving this week. That's pretty thirsty considering my big roadie, but expect that figure to be higher in the city.

It has a small 55L tank which should give you an approximate driving range of 679km based on the official combined cycle figure.

The official combined cycle fuel consumption figure for the NX is 8.1L/100km. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

As far as the safety is concerned, this has a lot of the items I look for in a family car, like daytime running lights, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert (always good to have) as well as front and rear parking sensors.

But a cool highlight is the 'Safe Exit Assist' which will alert you via the dash if the car has sensed an oncoming obstacle when you go to exit the car.

However, Lexus goes further and if the obstacle remains present and you still try to open the door, the car will LOCK your door and stop you from exiting.

The NX features a super clear 360-degree view camera system. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

There could be something said here… Terminator and M3gan come to mind, but it’s cool nonetheless.

Another great feature is the super clear 360-degree view camera system that makes the car ‘invisible’ in the feed, to improve your visibility and limit distraction.

The Lexus NX was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2022, so it’s nice and fresh.

It has eight airbags, including the front centre airbag we’re seeing on new models now.

The rear seat is a bit too narrow to comfortably fit three seats side-by-side. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

It has auto emergency braking with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection, daytime motorcycle detection and junction assist which is operational from 5.0-80 km/h.

There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard rear seat positions and three top tether anchor points, but the seat is a bit too narrow to comfortably fit three seats side-by-side.

There’s just enough room for a 0-4 rearward facing child seat to be installed behind my driving position but it might not be possible behind someone who is tall.