2026 Lexus NX Says Bye to Base Model and Hi to Higher Base Price
The nonhybrid four-cylinder NX250 is now gone, but you can get a hybrid NX350h with front-wheel drive for the first time.
2026 lexus nx350 caviar
Lexus
The 2026 Lexus NX has an adjusted lineup, as the nonhybrid NX250 has been axed and a front-wheel-drive NX350h hybrid has been added.
With the four-cylinder NX250 out of the picture, the turbocharged NX350 is the new entry point, but its $46,120 base price is $4K higher than the outgoing NX250.
Additionally, the F Sport package is now offered on every model, and the NX450h+ PHEV adds a new entry trim and a dual-voltage charging cable.
Let’s face it, luxury car shoppers are typically less likely to make a big deal about pricing, especially when it’s a particular model’s entry point. However, for anyone interested in the least expensive version of the Lexus NX, it’s a lot more expensive for the 2026 model year. That’s because Lexus has axed the nonhybrid four-cylinder NX250, which last year started at $42,140.
For 2026, the NX350 represents the lineup’s entry point. While its $46,120 base price is only $220 more than in 2025, it raises the subcompact luxury SUV’s price floor by about $4000. The NX350’s surcharge does include a considerably mightier engine, as there’s a 275-hp turbo four under the hood versus a 203-hp naturally aspirated four-pot. Plus, unlike in previous model years, Lexus will now let you pair the F Sport package with any powertrain, meaning the kit is no longer reserved for the gas-fed NX350 and plug-in-hybrid NX450+.
Lexus
Those who want to go the hybrid route now have more options too. The NX350h can now be had with front-wheel drive, which means it’s not as quick but slightly more fuel efficient, earning an estimated 40 mpg combined. Naturally, it’s also less expensive than its all-wheel-drive counterpart, with the FWD NX350h starting at $45,470 versus $47,020 for the AWD NX350h.
The Lexus NX450h+ is the mightiest member of the family, featuring a PHEV powertrain that pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with three electric motors and an 18-kWh battery. That setup provides a combined 302 horsepower and an electric-only driving range of 37 miles. Lexus also lowers its admission fee with the introduction of the Premium trim level, which starts at $59,105. Last year, the least expensive NX450h+ was the $62,415 Luxury trim; its price climbs to $63,035 for 2026.
Lexus
To make charging easier, Lexus also now supplies every PHEV NX with a dual-voltage charging cord so owners can access Level 1 and Level 2 chargers. The only other notable update for the 2026 Lexus NX lineup is the addition of Infrared paint, a $595 option.
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Eric Stafford
Managing Editor, News
Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.
