2027 Lexus NX goes hybrid only in Australia with bigger PHEV battery

Key takeaways

• 2027 Lexus NX arrives in Australia in 2027, electrified only
• NX 450h+ battery grows to 23kWh, 100km range
• Petrol RX 350 and LS 500 axed for Australia

Lexus has pulled the covers off the updated NX at a world premiere overnight and Australia is confirmed for a 2027 arrival. The 2027 Lexus NX gets a redesigned cabin, a sharper face and a heavily reworked electrified drivetrain.

For Australia, it will be sold here exclusively as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid.

NX drops petrol in Australia

Lexus Australia says the NX will launch locally with HEV and PHEV powertrains only. The same call has been made further up the range, with the RX 350 and LS 500 petrol variants discontinued for this market.

That is a clean break from the current line-up which still offers petrol-only NX variants alongside the hybrids.

Dropping petrol NX variants here removes Lexus Australia's cheapest way into its second best-selling model, which means the local range almost certainly opens higher than it does today.

Sixth-generation hybrid tech and a bigger battery

Both electrified NX powertrains step up to Lexus' sixth-generation hybrid system. The power control unit and transaxle now sit in a single housing borrowed in concept from the brand's EV eAxles, cutting 10kg and dropping the assembly 10cm for better packaging.

The NX 450h+ gets the biggest upgrade. Battery capacity climbs 30% from 18kWh to 23kWh, lifting WLTP electric range to 100km, an increase of 26km.

DC fast-charging support is new, along with a powered charging door and a broader operating window for the E-Four all-wheel-drive system.

Specs and performance

Australian specification is yet to be confirmed, so outputs may differ locally.

A cabin rebuilt from scratch

Inside, the dashboard has been completely redesigned around a free-standing 14-inch screen running the latest Lexus Connect software, paired with a 12.3-inch driver display and a tidier centre console.

Higher grades add Sensory Concierge, which coordinates ambient lighting, screen graphics, climate, seat heating and cabin fragrance across three modes.

Body work is equally thorough. Lexus claims a 25% gain in floor rigidity and a 20% cut in engine and road noise, helped by extra sound deadening in the rear doors, rear bumper and centre pillars.

Length grows 30mm to 4,690mm on an unchanged 2,690mm wheelbase.

Chief engineer Kunihiko Endo said the brief was to keep the NX "an exciting and inspiring presence."

Global rollout starts from the end of 2026, with European deliveries in spring 2027 and Australian showrooms following during 2027. Local pricing has not been announced.

Frequently asked questions

When does the 2027 Lexus NX go on sale in Australia?

Lexus has confirmed a 2027 Australian launch. Exact timing within the year has not been locked in.

What is the electric range of the 2027 Lexus NX 450h+?

The plug-in hybrid NX 450h+ is rated at 100km of electric range on the WLTP cycle, up 26km on the current model.

How much will the 2027 Lexus NX cost in Australia?

Australian pricing has not been announced. Expect the range to open above the current NX entry point now that petrol variants are gone.