2027 Lexus NX facelift goes hybrid only, features ES-inspired interior

The facelifted second-generation Lexus NX has been revealed, and will be available in Australia some time in 2027.

As widely expected, the global NX range will be powered exclusively by petrol hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains. It also features a sportier exterior and a completely redesigned dashboard, both of which are heavily influenced by the new ES sedan.

Visually, the biggest external change has been made up front where there's a flatter, sharper spindle grille. This is flanked by a new set of headlights that feature twin horizontal driving lights, and are visually connected to the side intakes. 

At the back the tail-lights feature double the number of 'L' motifs, and the Lexus word mark is now illuminated. In the States there are nine colours to choose from, including two new additions to the palette: Shaded Ivy and the F-Sport-exclusive Incognito. 

The influence of the latest ES is most clearly seen in the new dashboard and centre tunnel. Gone are the swooshes, swirls and acres of piano black plastic.

They've been replaced by a much more spartan setup. Ahead of the driver is a slightly smaller steering wheel, while a 12.3-inch instrumentation display is a significant step up from the 8.0-inch unit found in the current car.

A 14.0-inch touchscreen sits in the middle of dash, underneath which is a row of physical buttons that are completely hidden when the power is off. In the same vein, models fitted with the Mark Levinson sound system have metal speaker grilles with hidden illumination rings.

Thanks to extra reinforcement for the radiator supports, seat cross-members, rear transmission tunnel and wheelhouses, structural integrity has been increased, and is said to improve handling and ride comfort, as well as reduce road noise.

Lexus engineers have reportedly honed the car's dynamics at the company's technical centre in Shimoyama, as well as on the Nurburgring race track, and models without the air suspension system sport upgraded shocks with ultra-low-speed valves.

When the facelifted NX launches in Australia, it will be without the NX350 and its 205kW/430Nm 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. Globally, the updated NX range also dumps the 127kW/206Nm NX200 and 152kW/249Nm NX250 variants as well.

The new 145kW NX300h model is now the entry point to the lineup, and features a 110kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine at its heart and is capable of completing the 0-100km/h run in 9.2 seconds.

One rung up is the NX350h, which has a total system output of between 140kW and 180kW depending on the market-specific tune of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine under the bonnet. It has a claimed 0-100km/h time of between 7.1 and 7.8s.

For reference, the current Australian-spec NX350h makes 179kW. Once again the NX350h is available in front- and all-wheel drive variants. The latter features a revised electric motor on the rear axle that is now capable continuous all-wheel drive operation rather than only being active during hard launches, cornering or when the wheels slip.

At the top of the pile is the all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid NX450h+ with total power claimed to be between 215kW and 240kW depending on the tune of the 2.5-litre engine. Current Aussie-spec models boast 227kW to their name.

Thanks to a redesigned battery, the PHEV's lithium-ion pack has 30 per cent more capacity, boosting the WLTP EV driving range estimate from 87km to 100km.

All hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains are about 10kg lighter than before as the power control unit, electric motor and transaxle are all packaged together.

Drivetrain availability and specification for the Australian market will be announced closer, or at, the car's local launch.

MORE: Explore the Lexus NX showroom