2018 Lexus NX 300

header-image
Rating6.7

Ranked #16 in 

Compact SUV
Write Review
$35,985 - $39,775
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Spacious backseat

Cargo volume is a bit cramped

New badge name

Superb fuel economy

Distracting infotainment system

Standard Safety System+ package

Handsome exterior design

Larger and updated infotainment screen

Quiet cabin

Available suspension dampers for F Sport trim

Specs & Features

$35,985

price

235 hp @ 4800 rpm

horsepower

258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Lexus NX 300 has a pretty important feat to achieve being the compact offering in the Luxury manufacturer’s portfolio. It is a pretty smart choice in the segment crowded with the likes of the Acura RDX, the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Class. What the Lexus does differently than the others is visible inside. The interior is plush and has striking design elements everywhere. The exterior is a bit wild for the masses’ tastes but has a charm of its own. Complimenting the design philosophy is a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 that pumps 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. 

The range for the NX 300 is pretty basic and comprises two trims - Base and F-Sport. These trims can be upgraded to AWD for a slight premium. There’s a hybrid variant available as well, which we’ve covered separately. Does the NX 300 have what it takes to conquer its rivals? Let’s find out!

Buying Advice

The 2018 Lexus NX 300 is a superb offering that offers immense practicality in the cabin but loses out in the cargo capacity, but not by much. The engine is peppy for city use and is capable enough for the highways. The MPGs are one of the best in the segment and the available hybrid makes for a more lucrative deal. Competing in the luxury segment makes the interior very competitive with soft-touch material everywhere but the infotainment system is a pain to use. The design is a hit-or-miss for some but the majority like the edginess which is a departure from the conventional design of the rivals. The NX 300 caters to every need of the average American who wants to enter the luxury segment with additional reliability to boot, making it our pick in the segment!

Trims

    Base
    $35,985 onwards
    • 19-inch six-spoke gunmetal wheels
    • Multi-function leather-trimmed steering wheel
    • Multi-stage heated front seats
    • Premium perforated leather seats
    • Projector-beam headlights
    • Reverse camera
    F Sport
    $38,375 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 235 hp @ 4800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$35,985- $39,775

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.71

Horsepower

235 hp @ 5600 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$35,800- $44,000

Gasoline

7

279 hp @ 6200 rpm

252 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,995- $79,795

Gasoline

7.55

280 hp @ 5200 rpm

306 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,900- $37,900

Gasoline

6.96

200 hp @ 5100 rpm

207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,500- $52,100

Gasoline

7.58

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$36,400- $38,400

Gasoline

7.02

228 hp @ 5000 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$42,650- $54,500

Gasoline

7.69

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$47,600- $59,250

Gasoline

7.02

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$39,995- $62,995

Gasoline

6.93

310 hp @ 6600 rpm

271 lb.-ft. @ 5000 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,950- $41,400

Gasoline

6.47

208 hp @ 5500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1200 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Lexus NX 300 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.2 sec15.7 sec124 mph
    2018 BMW X3

    Ranked #1

    4.7 sec13.2 sec155 mph
    5.9 sec14.5 sec126 mph
    6 sec--
    2018 BMW X4

    Ranked #3

    6 sec15.2 sec130 mph
    6.1 sec--

    2018 Lexus NX 300 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      22 mpg28 mpg25 mpg15.9 gal.349.8/445.2 mi.
      33 mpg30 mpg31 mpg14.8 gal.488.4/444 mi.
      24 mpg33 mpg27 mpg13.2 gal.316.8/435.6 mi.
      2018 BMW X2

      Ranked #3

      23 mpg32 mpg26 mpg16.1 gal.370.3/515.2 mi.
      2018 Audi Q5

      Ranked #4

      23 mpg27 mpg25 mpg18.5 gal.425.5/499.5 mi.
      2018 BMW X3

      Ranked #4

      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg17.2 gal.378.40/498.80 mi.

      2018 Lexus NX 300 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        182.3 in.73.6 in.64.8 in.6.9 in.104.7 in.
        192.5 in.74.6 in.67.7 in.8.2 in.109.8 in.
        190 in.76.1 in.66.2 in.7.8 in.112.2 in.
        189.5 in.75 in.66 in.7.8 in.112.5 in.
        189.1 in.80 in.65.5 in.8 in.113 in.
        186.3 in.81.5 in.65 in.8.4 in.113.1 in.

        2018 Lexus NX 300 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          17.7 cu.ft.71.6 cu.ft.54.6 cu.ft.
          2018 Audi Q3

          Ranked #1

          16.7 cu.ft.108.6 cu.ft.48.2 cu.ft.
          17.7 cu.ft.-53 cu.ft.
          18 cu.ft.-56.5 cu.ft.
          18.4 cu.ft.121.3 cu.ft.56.3 cu.ft.
          16.8 cu.ft.71.6 cu.ft.53.7 cu.ft.

          2018 Lexus NX 300 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            10.4 cu.ft.17.7 cu.ft.54.6 cu.ft.-
            33.5 cu.ft.37.2 cu.ft.33.5 cu.ft.73 ft.
            15.1 cu.ft.18.5 cu.ft.56.5 cu.ft.-
            63.3 cu.ft.17.7 cu.ft.53 cu.ft.-
            2018 BMW X2

            Ranked #5

            13.3 cu.ft.21.6 cu.ft.50.1 cu.ft.-
            29.9 cu.ft.30 cu.ft.63 cu.ft.-

            2018 Lexus NX 300 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2000 lbs.895 lbs.3940 lbs.
              6000 lbs.997 lbs.3280 lbs.
              5291 lbs.1228 lbs.4217 lbs.
              5290 lbs.1545 lbs.3880 lbs.
              2018 BMW X2

              Ranked #3

              5290 lbs.899 lbs.3499 lbs.
              4409 lbs.1560 lbs.3854 lbs.

              2018 Lexus NX 300 SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              1

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              19

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

              Top Lexus Cars

              2018 Lexus LC 500

              Horsepower : 471 hp @ 7100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 4.4 sec

              #1

              2018 Lexus GS F

              Horsepower : 467 hp @ 7100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 4.4 sec

              #2

              2018 Lexus RC F

              Horsepower : 467 hp @ 7100 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 4.4 sec

              #3

              2018 Lexus LS 500

              Horsepower : 416 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 4.6 sec

              #4

              2018 Lexus LX 570

              Horsepower : 383 hp @ 5600 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 7.4 sec

              #5

              2018 Lexus LS 500h Hybrid

              Horsepower : 354 hp @ 6600 rpm

              MPG Combined : 28 mpg

              0-60 : 5.2 sec

              #6

              2018 Lexus LC 500h Hybrid

              Horsepower : 354 hp @ 6600 rpm

              MPG Combined : 29 mpg

              0-60 : 4.7 sec

              #7

              2018 Lexus GS 450h Hybrid

              Horsepower : 338 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 31 mpg

              0-60 : 6 sec

              #8

              2018 Lexus RC 350

              Horsepower : 311 hp @ 6600 rpm

              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 5.8 sec

              #9

              2018 Lexus GS 350

              Horsepower : 311 hp @ 6400 rpm

              MPG Combined : 22 mpg

              0-60 : 5.8 sec

              #10