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2027 Lexus NX unveiled with redesigned exterior, hybrid-only powertrain
Lexus has revealed the facelifted second-generation NX, set for Australian arrival in 2027. The updated SUV features a sportier design and a redesigned cabin, with the global range now exclusively petrol-hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The NX350 petrol engine is dropped in Australia, and the NX450h+ PHEV gains increased electric range.
By Tertius News AI Desk2 distinct · 3 mastheads · 3 articlesVersion 2Coverage Published
Lexus reveals facelifted NX
Lexus has unveiled the facelifted second-generation NX, which will reach Australian showrooms sometime in 2027, as reported by 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow. The updated model marks a significant visual and technological overhaul, with the global NX range now powered exclusively by petrol hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
According to 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow, the exterior adopts a sportier look, heavily influenced by the new ES sedan. The most prominent change is a flatter, sharper spindle grille, flanked by headlights featuring twin horizontal driving lights that are visually connected to the side intakes. At the rear, the tail-lights now feature double the number of 'L' motifs, and the Lexus word mark is illuminated.
Interior and technology
The cabin has been completely redesigned, drawing inspiration from the latest ES, as detailed by 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow. The dashboard and centre tunnel are more spartan, replacing the previous swooshes and piano black plastic. A 14.0-inch touchscreen sits in the middle of the dash, with a row of physical buttons hidden when the power is off. The driver faces a 12.3-inch instrumentation display, a step up from the 8.0-inch unit in the previous model. Models equipped with the Mark Levinson sound system feature metal speaker grilles with hidden illumination rings.
NewsBytes adds that the cabin includes capacitive HVAC and camera controls placed above the air vents on a new centre console. The seating position has been lowered closer to the SUV's centre of gravity, and a new steering wheel is smaller in diameter with increased telescopic range. Lexus has also made the accelerator pedal more comfortable and improved steering responsiveness.
Engineering and performance
Structural integrity has been increased through extra reinforcement for radiator supports, seat cross-members, rear transmission tunnel, and wheelhouses, which is said to improve handling, ride comfort, and reduce road noise, according to 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow. Lexus engineers reportedly honed the car's dynamics at the company's technical centre in Shimoyama and on the Nurburgring race track. PerthNow also notes that models without air suspension receive upgraded shocks with ultra-low-speed valves.
NewsBytes reports several engineering refinements: the engine block has been redesigned for more rigidity, sound-absorbing material in the rear bumper, rear doors, and centre pillars cuts engine and road noise by around 20 per cent, and floor rigidity has improved by about 25 per cent for better steering response. The NX350h now comes with a lighter lithium-ion battery inspired by the one in the new ES 350h, and the cooling system has been improved to boost combined output.
Powertrain changes and Australian specifics
When the facelifted NX arrives in Australia, the NX350 and its 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine will be dropped, as confirmed by 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow. Globally, the NX200 and NX250 variants are also discontinued.
The NX350h hybrid is available in front- and all-wheel drive, with total system output ranging from 140kW to 180kW depending on tune, and a claimed 0-100km/h time between 7.1 and 7.8 seconds. Current Australian-spec NX350h models produce 179kW. PerthNow adds that the all-wheel drive version features a revised rear electric motor capable of continuous operation.
The top model is the NX450h+ plug-in hybrid, with total power between 215kW and 240kW; current Australian-spec models boast 227kW. The PHEV's lithium-ion pack has 30 per cent more capacity, boosting WLTP electric range from 87km to 100km. All hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains are about 10kg lighter due to packaging of the power control unit, electric motor, and transaxle.
NewsBytes reports that the NX450h+ produces up to 303hp in Europe and 304hp in the US, with a 0-100km/h time of 6.3 seconds in US spec.
Availability and colours
In the US, nine colours are available, including new shades Shaded Ivy and the F-Sport-exclusive Incognito, as noted by 7NEWS Australia and PerthNow. Australian drivetrain availability and specification will be announced closer to the local launch.
How each outlet told it
A framing line is our reading of that outlet's own text — an interpretation, not a quotation and not a fact we assert. Check it against what the outlet published.
Framing: emphasizes the NX facelift going hybrid-only and featuring an ES-inspired interior — measured and descriptive
Facts Included:
The facelifted second-generation Lexus NX has been revealed, and will be available in Australia some time in 2027.
The global NX range will be powered exclusively by petrol hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
It features a sportier exterior and a completely redesigned dashboard, both influenced by the new ES sedan.
The biggest external change is a flatter, sharper spindle grille.
New headlights feature twin horizontal driving lights and are visually connected to the side intakes.
Tail-lights feature double the number of 'L' motifs, and the Lexus word mark is now illuminated.
In the States there are nine colours, including Shaded Ivy and the F-Sport-exclusive Incognito.
The new dashboard and centre tunnel are influenced by the latest ES.
A 14.0-inch touchscreen sits in the middle of dash, underneath a row of physical buttons hidden when power is off.
Mark Levinson sound system models have metal speaker grilles with hidden illumination rings.
Structural integrity has been increased due to extra reinforcement for radiator supports, seat cross-members, rear transmission tunnel and wheelhouses.
Lexus engineers honed dynamics at Shimoyama technical centre and the Nurburgring.
When launched in Australia, the NX350 and its 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine will be dropped.
Globally, the NX200 and NX250 variants are dumped.
NX350h has total system output between 140kW and 180kW, depending on tune of the 2.5-litre engine.
NX350h has a claimed 0-100km/h time between 7.1 and 7.8s.
Current Australian-spec NX350h makes 179kW.
NX350h is available in front- and all-wheel drive variants.
The all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid NX450h+ has total power claimed between 215kW and 240kW.
Current Aussie-spec models boast 227kW.
PHEV's lithium-ion pack has 30 per cent more capacity, boosting WLTP EV range from 87km to 100km.
All hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains are about 10kg lighter.
Australian market drivetrain availability will be announced closer to launch.
Framing: highlights the vehicle's aesthetic and hybrid powertrain improvements
Facts Included:
The updated NX 350h variant now comes with a lighter lithium-ion battery, inspired by the one in the new ES 350h.
Lexus has improved the cooling system to boost its combined output.
The NX 450h+ produces up to 303hp in Europe.
The new Lexus NX sports an evolution of its Vital x Tech design theme, with a redesigned front fascia, frameless spindle grille, and revised headlights.
The rear has also been tweaked with a repeated L-motif in the taillight layout.
Inside, it gets a new dashboard, center console, and instrument panel inspired by the new ES sedan and TZ SUV.
It also comes with capacitive HVAC and camera controls, placed above the air vents on a new center console.
Lexus has improved seating position by lowering it closer to the SUV's center of gravity for a better driving experience.
The 2027 Lexus NX gets a new steering wheel, which is smaller in diameter for better grip and comfort.
The telescopic range has been increased to bring the wheel closer to the driver.
Lexus has also made the accelerator pedal easier and more comfortable to use while improving steering responsiveness for a better driving experience overall.
The engine block of the new NX has been redesigned for more rigidity, helping control noise and vibration better.
The SUV also gets sound-absorbing material in the rear bumper, rear doors, and center pillars to cut down engine and road noise by around 20%.
Lexus has also improved floor rigidity by about 25% for better steering response while reducing vibrations.
Framing: Emphasizes the hybrid-only drivetrain and the ES-inspired interior of the 2027 Lexus NX facelift. — Informative and enthusiastic about design and engineering details.
Facts Included:
The facelifted second-generation Lexus NX has been revealed, and will be available in Australia some time in 2027.
The global NX range will be powered exclusively by petrol hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.
The new NX features a sportier exterior and a completely redesigned dashboard influenced by the new ES sedan.
The biggest external change is a flatter, sharper spindle grille up front.
New headlights feature twin horizontal driving lights, visually connected to the side intakes.
At the back, tail-lights feature double the number of 'L' motifs, and the Lexus word mark is now illuminated.
In the US, nine colours are available, including new shades Shaded Ivy and F-Sport-exclusive Incognito.
The new dashboard and centre tunnel are influenced by the latest ES, with a more spartan setup.
A 14.0-inch touchscreen sits in the middle of the dash, with physical buttons hidden when the power is off.
Models with the Mark Levinson sound system have metal speaker grilles with hidden illumination rings.
Structural integrity has been increased due to extra reinforcement, improving handling, ride comfort, and reducing road noise.
Lexus engineers honed dynamics at Shimoyama technical centre and Nurburgring, and models without air suspension have upgraded shocks with ultra-low-speed valves.
The facelifted NX in Australia will be without the NX350 and its 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
Globally, the NX200 and NX250 variants are dropped.
Current Australian-spec NX350h makes 179kW.
NX350h is available in front- and all-wheel drive; all-wheel drive has a revised rear electric motor capable of continuous operation.
Top model is the NX450h+ plug-in hybrid with total power between 215kW and 240kW.
Current Aussie-spec models boast 227kW.
The PHEV's lithium-ion pack has 30 per cent more capacity, boosting WLTP EV range from 87km to 100km.
All hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains are about 10kg lighter due to packaging of power control unit, electric motor, and transaxle.
Drivetrain availability for Australia will be announced closer to local launch.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe facelifted second-generation Lexus NX has been revealed.
ClaimStructural integrity of the NX has been increased due to extra reinforcement for radiator supports, seat cross-members, rear transmission tunnel and wheelhouses.
ClaimThe revamped cabin of the NX gets a large 14-inch infotainment display, aligned with the 12.3-inch driver display and above a revised instrument panel.