2023 Lexus NX 350h versus Lexus UX 250h: Which model and trim should you buy?

Overview

We’re going to look at the NX and UX, the latter, with a starting price of $41,450, being the gateway vehicle to luxury, Lexus style. That MSRP makes it $9,000 less than the least expensive hybrid NX, the 350h Signature. Now, our test vehicles are the $43,250 UX 250h Elegance Special Edition, a new trim level for 2023, and the $61,250 NX 350h Ultra Luxury. All models and trims also have a Freight & PDI charge of $2,205.

Both crossovers essentially feature the same hybrid drive system, although the UX’s gas engine is a 2.0 litre versus the NX’s 2.5L. So, there’s a couple of things to consider, the first being whether the UX delivers a suitable level of Lexus luxe for the price. And the second is whether the NX is sufficiently better than the UX to justify its higher price. Oh, and whether either of these hybrids is suitably fuel efficient — this last especially important for those wanting to ease their pain at the pumps but aren’t willing, for whatever reason, to pull the trigger on an electric vehicle.

The UX 250h

To be fair, though, few buyers expect their hybrids to perform like sports cars; they’re looking for fuel efficiency. Here the UX shows parsimony at fill-up time — NRCan rates the small crossover at 5.7 L/100 km in the city and 6.2 L/100 km on the highway. However, during my time with the Lexus, I only averaged 8.6 L/100 km in a mix of city and highway driving, though part of that time included navigating through a significant snow dump. The almost 20 centimetres of snow that fell over 24 hours proved of little consequence to the UX; despite its intent as a soft-roader it easily handled the slippery streets and was very tossable when cornering.

This tossable nature is very much a product of the UX’s size. With a length of just under 4.5 metres, the UX is a better choice for DINKs or empty nesters than it is as a family vehicle. As someone who is long-legged, with the driver’s seat set back to a comfortable level there was no way I could climb into the rear seat.

The cabin itself isn’t as luxurious as other Lexus products, although it is cleanly styled with a modern yet simple vibe. Most controls fall easily to hand, and Lexus has dropped the “remote touch interface” (RTI) track pad to work the functions featured on the centre console touchscreen. Also, the volume slider for the audio system has been replaced by a simple knob.

3 reasons to choose the UX 250h

Which model to choose

If it’s a matter of just wanting the Lexus badge on your small crossover, then the base UX 250h Premium ($41,450) gets you the nameplate without breaking the bank. The Premium comes with such features as an eight-inch touchscreen display, six-speaker audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-beam LED headlamps, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats and a power sunroof.

But if you want a grander sense of occasion — a more Lexus-like experience in other words — and the appearance of a sportier vibe, then go whole hog with the F Sport Series 2 trim ($55,032). In addition to different exterior bits such as wheels, grille, roof rails, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlight levelling, the F Sport Series 1 and 2 come with standard performance dampers and Active Variable Suspension, which sharpen the handling and improves overall ride comfort and quietness. The advantage of the F Sport Series 2 over the 1 is a higher-tech cabin courtesy of a head-up display, 12.3-inch display screen with embedded navigation, adaptive front lighting system, ventilated front seats with driver seat memory, wireless charging, intuitive parking assist and hands-free power liftgate.

The NX 350h

At the pumps, the NX 350h is almost as frugal as the UX, at least according to NRCan, which rates the crossover at 5.7 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 L/100 km on the highway. However, like the UX, winter weather conditions take their toll; I averaged 9.8 L/100 km in an even mix of city and highway driving.

Three reasons to choose the NX 350h

Which model to choose

Even the base NX 350h Signature ($50,450) is no hardship, providing a reasonable number of upscale amenities — 10-speaker audio system with 9.8-inch Lexus Interface display, a seven-inch multi-information display, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, LED fog lamps and daytime running lights, the Lexus smart key system with push button start, etc. I think I’d go up a couple of trim levels, however, to the $56,950 Luxury. Not only do you get the enhancements offered in the one-lower Premium ($51,950) — power tilting/telescoping steering column, driver’s seat memory system, heated and ventilated front seats, a power liftgate and, and power sunroof — but the Luxury adds Lexus Interface Drive Connect with a 14-inch display screen, 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour illumination system, a wireless charger for personal electronics, lane change assist, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic brake, and the Intuitive Parking Assist system with Auto Braking.

Conclusion

As for the NX, let me put it this way: I have been a huge fan of the larger RX — Lexus Canada’s best-selling model — since its introduction way back in 1997. Yet, unless you absolutely need the additional interior room, the NX is just as distinctive while offering 90 per cent of the RX’s luxury touch points, just in a slightly smaller and more efficient package. Its ride and handling are geared more for comfort than sport, but then again so are the rest of Lexus’s crossover lineup.