New Lexus NX facelift is Nürburgring-tested, quicker and can even change how your cabin smells

KUALA LUMPUR: Lexus has unveiled the new NX, giving one of its most important SUVs a fairly substantial facelift that goes well beyond simply changing the bumpers and fitting some new lights.

Scheduled to roll out across global markets from the end of 2026, the updated NX introduces a new-generation hybrid system, major chassis revisions, a significantly upgraded plug-in hybrid powertrain and a redesigned cabin.

There is even a new “Sensory Concierge” system capable of coordinating the lighting, music, climate control, seat temperature and fragrance depending on the occupants’ mood.

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The NX has become a particularly important model for Lexus since making its debut in 2014 as the brand’s first compact crossover SUV. Lexus says approximately 1.9 million units had been sold across more than 90 countries and regions by the end of July 2026.

So rather than messing too much with a successful formula, Lexus appears to have concentrated on making the NX better at being an NX – comfortable and premium enough for everyday use, but with considerably more attention paid to the way it drives.

And apparently that involved taking a Lexus NX to the Nürburgring.

Yes, Lexus actually tested the NX at the Nürburgring

Much of the engineering work centred on what Lexus calls its “Driving Signature”, with development taking place at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama in Japan as well as the Nürburgring and surrounding German roads.

That may sound like an unusually serious development programme for what will spend much of its life doing school runs and sitting in office car parks, but Lexus has made some meaningful changes underneath.

Floor rigidity has been increased by approximately 25%, helped by a new cross member and additional reinforcement around the transmission tunnel. Suspension tower rigidity is claimed to have improved by roughly 30%. Lexus says these changes should improve not only handling but also ride comfort and road-noise suppression.

There are new shock absorbers with ultra-low-speed valves designed to react to even small suspension movements, helping keep the body flatter while maintaining comfort over rough surfaces. Lexus says suspension development stretched from low-speed urban roads all the way to Autobahn testing at speeds exceeding 200 km/h.

The steering wheel has also shrunk by 10 mm to 360 mm in diameter, while all versions adopt a Variable Rack Gear with a more responsive steering ratio. Accelerator response has been revised as well, while the hybrid control system now uses the battery more heavily under acceleration to reduce the familiar situation where engine revs rise significantly faster than vehicle speed.

AWD versions receive revised E-Four control too. Instead of primarily bringing the rear electric motor into play during acceleration, wheel slip or cornering, the system can now continuously drive the rear wheels even when travelling in a straight line, which Lexus says improves stability and the feeling of connection with the road.

NX 450h+ gets a much more useful battery

The headline mechanical upgrade is arguably the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid.

Its newly developed lithium-ion battery offers an eight percent increase in output and, depending on specification, around 30% greater capacity. Lexus is targeting more than 100 km of electric range on the European WLTP cycle, while tentative figures stretch beyond 140 km under Japan’s WLTC testing.

More importantly for everyday use, the new NX 450h+ now supports DC fast charging. Lexus has also fitted a powered charging-port lid, which is perhaps not the most revolutionary feature here but feels appropriately Lexus.

Repackaging the battery has allowed the cells to be arranged transversely rather than longitudinally. Lexus says this improves lateral body rigidity while allowing the battery to sit lower, lowering the centre of gravity and helping handling stability.

Tentative specifications list the NX 450h+ with a 2.5-litre engine, AWD and total system output of between 215 and 240 kW depending on market. Lexus is targeting a 0-100 km/h time of around six seconds, so despite its sensible image, the PHEV should be properly quick.

Other versions listed in Lexus’ prototype specifications include the 2.5-litre NX 350h hybrid in AWD and front-wheel-drive forms, as well as a 2.0-litre front-wheel-drive NX 300h. Exact specifications will vary between markets.

Familiar NX shape, but a cleaner face

Visually, Lexus has retained the familiar proportions and side profile of the outgoing NX while giving the SUV a cleaner and somewhat more athletic appearance.

Overall length has increased by 30 mm to 4,690 mm, but width remains unchanged at 1,865 mm, height stays at 1,660 mm and the 2,690 mm wheelbase is carried over.

The front end integrates the headlamps and other functional components more closely into the grille, while the lights themselves gain a new dual-line signature incorporating the daytime running lights and indicators. Black exterior detailing replaces much of the previous chrome trim.

Around the back is Lexus’ first “Double L Signature”, with illuminated double-L elements at either side of the tailgate accompanied by an illuminated Lexus logo. Nine exterior colours will be available globally, including the new Sonic Tellus ash shade and Titanium Carbide Gray for F Sport models.

F Sport versions go further with unique front spoilers, side and rear aerodynamic pieces, black exterior trim, 20-inch lightweight wheels and red brake calipers.

And yes, it can change how your car smells

The dashboard receives a cleaner horizontal layout centred around a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and 14-inch navigation and multimedia screen. Lexus says aligning the two displays reduces the amount of eye movement required while driving.

But the feature most likely to start conversations is Sensory Concierge.

The system combines ambient lighting, music, climate control, seat temperature and fragrance into three preset experiences called Inspire, Radiance and Revitalize. Depending on the setting, the NX can essentially alter the entire cabin atmosphere to make occupants feel more energised, focused or relaxed.

There are also five available fragrances stored in cartridges inside a fragrance generator in the glovebox. Drivers can select them through the infotainment screen, after which the scent is distributed through a grille at the rear of the dashboard.

So yes, Lexus has effectively engineered an extremely sophisticated built-in air freshener.

The five fragrances are called Tenko, Keifu, Seiyo, Hanya and Shinmei, ranging from woody aromatic and smoky green scents to floral, musk and citrus profiles.

More safety tech as well

The new NX also adopts the latest Lexus Safety System+, with wider object-detection coverage and an extended detection range.

Radar cruise control can begin slowing earlier when another car brakes or cuts into the lane, while map-linked functions can assist with deceleration approaching features such as curves, stop signs, T-junctions, roundabouts and toll booths.

Lane Change Assist has also been revised, the Pre-Collision System gains an expanded operating range, and the driver-monitoring system can recognise signs of drowsiness in more situations. Blind Spot Monitor can now detect bicycles and motorcycles travelling alongside the vehicle, while the Panoramic View Monitor gains a selectable 3D view. Availability will vary depending on market and specification.

When will the new Lexus NX arrive in Malaysia?

For now, Lexus has only confirmed that the new NX will begin reaching global markets from the end of 2026. 

What is already clear is that this is considerably more than a cosmetic refresh. Lexus has left the basic NX recipe intact, but underneath the sharper styling is a substantially reworked hybrid system, a longer-legged plug-in hybrid, more serious chassis development and some delightfully Lexus-like cabin technology.

An NX developed at the Nürburgring that can do the weekday commute largely on electricity and then make the cabin smell like a Japanese forest?

The sensible Lexus SUV has become surprisingly interesting.

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