Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Premium SUV rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2014, sold mostly as the NX 300h hybrid with 197 hp combined. Owner feedback on reliability is rather positive, but servicing is frequent and considered expensive. A recall covering airbag sensors on 2015-2016 cars has been published: check that it has been dealt with.
- Reliability
- not rated
- Indicative prices
- €19,300 – €30,000
- Monthly cost
- €508
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: NX 300h.
NX 300h
✓ RecommendedHybrid · Automatic · 197 hp · 5.7 L/100 km · 129 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
2.5 petrol combined with electric motors, 197 hp combined, continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT), front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The only engine still in the French catalogue after the 2017 facelift.
NX 200t
Petrol · Automatic · 238 hp · Crit'Air 1
2.0 turbo petrol of 238 hp and 350 Nm, 6-speed automatic gearbox, sold mainly from 2015 to 2017 before the facelift.
Market prices
€19,300 – €30,000
Indicative range: 2015 to 2021, yearly medians of 75 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Recall: airbag sensors may fail
Manufacturer recallA recall concerns NX 200t and NX 300h models from 2015-2016 (produced from May to October 2015 according to North American sources): the airbag pressure or acceleration sensors may fail and prevent the side, curtain or front airbags from deploying. The airbag warning light comes on. Remedy: free inspection and replacement of the sensors at a dealer. The sources cited are American and Canadian: have the serial number checked with Lexus France.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- NX 300h, NX 200t
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Lexus NX”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €140 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €87 |
| Maintenance | €26 |
| Depreciation | €255 |
| Total per month | €508 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€140
NX 300h version: combined consumption of 5.7 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
5.7 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €140
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€87
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€26
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€255
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Lexus NX I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Check with Lexus, using the serial number, that the airbag sensor recall has been dealt with (2015-2016 cars) and that no airbag warning light is on.
- Ask for the service book: owners cite services every 15,000 km, sometimes required to keep the extended warranty.
- Hybrid: ask whether the hybrid battery has been diagnosed (one owner cites a quote of about €5,000 fitted) and check the 12 V battery, which went flat within a few days on a 2018 car.
- Test the touchscreen, which owners say can freeze, and look at the paintwork, which is considered fragile.
- Try the car on the motorway: owners mention unpleasant high revs under acceleration and consumption of up to 10 L/100 km at 130 km/h.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the airbag sensor recall been carried out? Do you have proof?
- Has the car been serviced in the Lexus network? Do you have all the invoices?
- Has the hybrid battery or the 12 V battery been diagnosed or replaced?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lexus CT
I · 2011–2020
- Price
- €11,000 – €17,000
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota RAV4
IV · 2012–2018
- Price
- €9,500 – €19,600
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
BMW X3
III (G01) · 2017–2024
- Price
- €17,245 – €45,480
- Reliability
- not rated
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Lexus NX I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Euro NCAP rating of the Lexus NX?
5 stars, result obtained in December 2014 for the NX 300h according to Lexus UK, La Tribune Auto and Euro NCAP.
Is the Lexus NX 300h reliable?
Owner reviews on Fiches-auto are rather positive (12 favourable opinions against 1 unfavourable on reliability), with a few faults mentioned: 12 V battery, touchscreen, paintwork. The sample remains modest.
Which engine should I choose on the Lexus NX?
The NX 300h (2.5 hybrid, 197 hp) is the only engine still in the French catalogue after the 2017 facelift; the 238 hp 2.0 turbo (NX 200t) was sold before that.
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