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SUVs of all shapes and sizes are dominating the market right now. Still, the Compact Premium SUV segment is especially full of appealing options for those seeking a little more luxury and performance than your average small family vehicle. Since its introduction for the 2015 model year, the Lexus NX has consistently offered an alternative to traditional brands, with Lexus' distinctive look and feel applied to the segment template.
Photo: Tim Stevens
In many ways, the F Sport best exemplifies what Lexus offers, providing a sportier twist on this SUV that underwent a complete refresh in 2022. Since then, updates have been limited to new colors and adjustments to option packages, but this Copper Crest F Sport edition is worth another look. The detailed changes in the 2025 NX include:
The Lexus NX comes in three model series, starting with the base NX 250 available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (AWD). Next is the NX 350, followed by the hybrid NX 350h, and the plug-in hybrid NX 450h+, all of which are only available in AWD. The NX 250 is offered in two trims: Base and Premium, while the other trims include Base, Premium, and Luxury. The NX 350 and NX 450h+ also offer the F Sport package. The starting price for a 2025 Lexus NX 250 is $42,260, including the destination charge, rising to $63,625 for a plug-in NX 450h+ F Sport.
For this 2025 NX review, Lexus provided a test vehicle equipped with NX 350 F Sport trim and the following significant options:
In this SUV, the Luxury package includes three years of connected services for the infotainment system, LED headlamps, a kick sensor on the power liftgate, a rearview camera mirror, ventilated seats, and several other features.
The test vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) was $58,010, including the $1,175 destination charge to ship the SUV to a local dealership from the Ontario, Canada, assembly plant.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The most noticeable change for 2025? The color, actually. I do not usually focus on color in car reviews, but Copper Crest deserves attention. It looks great at night and is absolutely stunning in the daylight. While many competitors stick with dull shades of silver and white, the color alone on the NX makes it stand out.
Beyond that, it is quite similar to the NX from the past few years. The update the NX received in 2022 still appears in this 2025 version, with its sharply angular face dominated by a tall grille and side intakes at the front. There is less flair at the back, but the tapering rear end and fake diffuser hanging from the bumper maintain the sporty look.
It is all starting to feel a bit familiar now, especially since the 2022 refresh was not a significant change from the previous look of the SUV, but that does not mean it looks bad. The purposeful creases and shapes still manage to look fresh enough.
The interior still holds up well. Lexus added a 14-inch touchscreen from the Luxury package to the dashboard, which looked enormous in 2022. It now seems more average-sized, but it is still plenty big and provides all the in-dash tech that users would want, including:
Media is played back through a 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson sound system. Its performance lives up to those numbers, with powerful bass and highs so clear that they can be a little painful. It is a system that definitely does not disappoint.
The infotainment system is quick and responsive, and the built-in voice assistant is quite thorough. Requests for nearby restaurants, even vague ones like "I'm hungry," quickly provided lists of options. I also easily used voice commands to turn on the NX's seat heaters and adjust the cabin temperature.
The Luxury package also included ventilated seats, though I did not find that feature particularly effective. Overall, however, the interior definitely provides that luxury feel. Materials are top-notch overall, as is the fit and finish, creating the impression of a premium space.
There is decent legroom and headroom in the second row, though taller adults will find their hair hitting the ceiling and knees brushing the seats in front. Seating for five is possible, with three across in that second row, but you better stick to four for anything more than a quick trip into town.
Out back, under the power liftgate, the NX can carry 22.7 cubic feet of cargo behind the second-row seats. Fold them down, and that expands to 46.9 cubic feet.
Photo: Tim Stevens
Compared to the base AWD trim JD Power reviewed last time, the 2025 NX 350 F Sport provides the following improvements:
Those blacked-out trim pieces help make the F Sport edition of the NX look more purposeful. They also contrast nicely with the Copper Crest Paint. It is much the same story on the inside, with a sporty and engaging look, but looks can be deceiving.
On one hand, the NX 350 F Sport provides a sporty feel through all major touchpoints. The steering wheel and small shifter are wrapped in perforated leather, reminiscent of the sportier sedans from Lexus' F Sport division. Similarly, the shape of the small shift paddles mounted on the back of that steering wheel reflects this sporty design.
The steering itself has a quick, responsive ratio that gives the NX an initial responsive and fun feel. Unfortunately, when you actually try to use that steering—really push the SUV into the turns—you quickly see that the driving experience does not live up to that first impression.
Photo: Tim Stevens
While Lexus is known for outfitting some of its performance-oriented F Sport sedans with evocative exhaust sounds, the NX 350 F Sport's 275-horsepower, 317 pound-feet of torque, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine starts up with a noticeably more subdued drone. It is not the most evocative sound, and that essentially sets the tone for the driving experience to come.
The NX's soft suspension results in a lot of body roll through the corners. The way the body tips back and forth makes you feel like you are sitting higher than you actually are, which makes the driving experience less engaging.
The SUV's drivetrain is similarly unenthusiastic about being pushed. The throttle response is sluggish, and the maximum power output when it finally kicks in is not very impressive. The engine does sound noticeably better when working hard, but the limited output and the no-rush eight-speed automatic transmission mean there is not a lot of fun to be had here, even when you switch the NX to Sport+ mode.
However, while it is not a rocket ship, the NX makes for an enjoyable vehicle in everyday driving. The softness in the suspension, which reduces its sportiness, allows for plenty of flexibility, making it comfortable and steady on bumpy roads. Even with the 20-inch wheels on the F Sport variant, ride quality remains unaffected.
There is plenty of power to keep up with traffic, and the adaptive cruise control and lane centering assistance systems make highway cruising effortless. There is minimal wind noise, too, so long drives in the NX will not test your patience.
They might be a little pricey, though. The 2025 Lexus NX 350 F Sport is officially rated for 24 mpg in combined driving. In my mixed testing, I slightly underperformed, achieving 21.2 mpg.
Photo: Tim Stevens
The 2025 Lexus NX 350 F Sport has a sporty look and initial feel, as long as you do not try to drive it in a sporty way. Other options like BMW's X3 M50 and Audi's SQ5 offer a more engaging driving experience and have been updated more recently.
But the NX 350 F Sport is not without its charms. It still looks great, especially in Copper Crest, and it has that distinctive Lexus feel that has earned the brand a loyal group of fans over the years. Stylish design and a well-crafted interior, along with a comfortable drive, make for an SUV that remains appealing, even if it is starting to feel a bit familiar.
Tim Stevens is a veteran automotive and technology journalist with over 25 years of experience covering a wide range of topics, from smartphones to supercars. In addition to JDPower.com, his expert perspectives have appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including print, online, and broadcast television.
