Lexus NX update: NX 450h+ range, charging and specifications
The new Lexus NX 450h+ gets a 23-kWh battery, more than 100 km of European EV range and 10-80% DC charging in 30 minutes; regional range figures differ.
Lexus has unveiled an updated NX, and the biggest change is not its styling. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid is now expected to travel more than 100 km on electric power alone under WLTP, compared with up to 74 km in the combined cycle for the current European version. That means the electric range has increased by more than a third.
Lexus says the NX 450h+ now uses a 23 kWh lithium-ion battery, up 30% from 18 kWh. It is also the first Lexus plug-in hybrid to support DC fast charging as standard: the manufacturer gives a 10–80% charging time of 30 minutes. The new power-control unit and transaxle are packaged as one compact assembly using the same principle as an e-Axle, while SiC semiconductors reduce electrical losses.
For Europe, Lexus quotes a provisional 307 DIN hp for the NX 450h+, with 0–100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and a 1,500 kg towing capacity. Global specifications still vary by region: the development figures span 215–240 kW. The NX 350h remains in the range and selected markets will also receive a 2.0-liter NX 300h.
Lexus does not officially call the vehicle a third-generation model. The wheelbase remains 2690 mm, while width and height are also unchanged; overall length has increased by just 30 mm to 4690 mm. The current NX 350h remains one of the most efficient versions in the lineup, so the biggest technological leap is concentrated in the PHEV.
The engineering work goes beyond the powertrain. Floor rigidity rises by around 25%, while a redesigned front suspension tower integrated with the front pillar is about 30% more rigid. Lexus also claims roughly 20% less engine and road noise, fits new ultra-low-velocity-valve dampers and a steering wheel 10 mm smaller in diameter. European chassis tuning was additionally carried out at the Nürburgring.
The regional numbers matter. Lexus targets more than 100 km WLTP in Europe, more than 40 miles under the North American EPA procedure and more than 140 km WLTC in Japan. The global rollout starts from the end of 2026, while Lexus says UK and European sales are due from spring 2027. Pricing for the new version has not yet been announced.