DecodedCarsLexus NX
12 model years from 2015 to 2026, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2015–2026
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Latest engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 31–40 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 18 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2024 (48)
- Fewest problems
- 2021
- Interest
- 10,857 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 NX in brief
The 2026 Lexus NX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,880 lb (350 4dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 40 MPG combined (42 city / 38 highway), 32% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the vehicle speed control.
The Lexus NX has 12 model years in our data, from 2015 to 2026, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.
Its most efficient year was 2026 at 40 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 31 to 40 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the unknown or other (65), fuel/propulsion system (41), service brakes (41).
Buying used? 2021 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2024 is the year to avoid.
2022 has the most recalls (7); all years together count 18 campaigns and 340 owner complaints.
How the 2015 NX compares
The 2015 Lexus NX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,869 lb (200t 4dr SUV AWD).
About the Lexus NX
The Lexus NX is a compact luxury crossover SUV sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota. Introduced in late 2014, it is positioned between the subcompact UX and the mid-size RX in Lexus’ crossover SUV lineup.
From the Wikipedia article "Lexus NX", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 NX pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 32% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2021 NX
17 owner complaints · 0 recalls · 1 fire report · 1 crash report
Year to avoid2024 NX
48 owner complaints · 6 recalls · 2 fire reports · 6 crash reports
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 10 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
NX changes by model year
- 2026
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
- Lightest version 176 lb heavier
- 2022
- New body dimensions: 1.2 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- New plug-in hybrid version
- Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Engine dropped: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Best combined MPG up from 31 to 39
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 12 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 40 MPG | 183.5 in | 3,880 lb | Not rated | 0 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 39 MPG | 183.5 in | 3,704 lb | Not rated | 6 | 18 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 39 MPG | 183.5 in | 3,968 lb | Not rated | 6 | 48 |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 39 MPG | 183.5 in | 3,968 lb | Not rated | 5 | 18 |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 39 MPG | 183.5 in | 3,968 lb | Not rated | 7 | 31 |
| 2021 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,869 lb | Not rated | 0 | 17 |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,869 lb | Not rated | 0 | 28 |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,869 lb | Not rated | 2 | 44 |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,869 lb | Not rated | 1 | 26 |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 31 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,869 lb | Not rated | 0 | 30 |
| 2016 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 32 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,869 lb | Not rated | 1 | 27 |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 32 MPG | 182.3 in | 3,869 lb | Not rated | 3 | 47 |
Alternatives to the 2026 NX
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model Y | 357 mi | Not rated | 8 |
| 2026 BMW X3 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Lexus RX | 36 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi Q5 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 BMW X1 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →