Compare real Lexus NX options from Japan based on your budget, preferred generation, specification and how you plan to use the car.
The Lexus NX is one of the most relevant premium SUVs to consider importing from Japan to Ireland, particularly if you want a well-equipped petrol hybrid rather than a diesel SUV. Japanese buyers had access to everything from the first-generation NX200t and NX300h to the newer NX250, NX350, NX350h and plug-in hybrid NX450h+, with F Sport, Version L and other Japan-specific grades adding considerably more choice. This guide covers both Japanese-market NX generations, what the different grades actually offer, realistic import costs and which Lexus NX is likely to suit you best.
The Lexus NX arrived in Japan in 2014, giving Lexus a smaller premium SUV to sit below the established RX. The first-generation 10 Series introduced a formula that would define the NX: manageable dimensions, a premium cabin and a choice of petrol or hybrid power.
Japanese buyers could initially choose between the turbocharged NX200t and hybrid NX300h, with grades including I Package, F Sport and Version L. In 2017, the NX200t was renamed NX300, while special editions such as Black Sequence, Bronze Edition, Urban Style, Spice & Chic and Cool & Bright expanded the range during later years.
A completely new 20 Series followed in November 2021. The Japanese line-up grew to include NX250, NX350, NX350h and NX450h+, bringing naturally aspirated petrol, turbo petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid choices.
Later additions such as Overtrail widened the range again. For Irish buyers, this leaves two quite different propositions: the more affordable 10 Series and the newer 20 Series with a much broader choice of electrified powertrains.
LEXUS ENTERS THE COMPACT PREMIUM SUV MARKET
The first Lexus NX went on sale in Japan in July 2014, introducing a new model line positioned below the larger RX. Rather than simply producing a smaller version of the RX, Lexus gave the NX a sharper identity, compact dimensions and two very different powertrain choices from launch.
Japanese buyers could choose the NX200t, powered by Lexus's newly developed 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, or the NX300h, which paired a 2.5-litre petrol engine with the Lexus hybrid system. Both were available in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations, depending on specification.
The Japanese range was structured around the standard model, I Package, F Sport and Version L, giving buyers a clear progression from the entry specification through to either a sportier or more luxury-focused NX.
A substantial update arrived in 2017. Styling was revised, equipment and driver-assistance technology were updated, and the NX200t was renamed NX300. The NX300h name remained unchanged. Lexus subsequently added several Japanese special editions, including Urban Style, Black Sequence, Bronze Edition, Spice & Chic and Cool & Bright.
Typical Import Budget: Market dependent. Earlier NX200t and NX300h examples provide the lowest entry point, while late NX300h F Sport and Version L cars command more in Japan. VRT needs to be assessed against the individual vehicle before establishing an Irish all-in budget.
Best For: Buyers wanting a premium Japanese SUV with a strong choice of petrol and hybrid drivetrains, particularly those comparing the NX300h with the Toyota Harrier or RAV4 Hybrid.
Engine output: NX200t/NX300: 238 PS / 350 Nm. NX300h: 197 PS combined system output.
Engine: 2.0L 8AR-FTS turbo petrol; 2.5L 2AR-FXE petrol-hybrid.
Drive: Front-wheel drive or AWD depending on model. Hybrid AWD models use Lexus E-Four with an additional rear electric motor rather than a conventional mechanical connection to the rear axle.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic on NX200t/NX300; electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) on NX300h.
Notable Features: First Lexus production model to use the 2.0-litre turbo engine; F Sport and Version L offered two distinctly different interpretations of the NX; 2017 facelift brought revised exterior styling, updated equipment and the NX200t-to-NX300 name change; multiple Japan-only or Japan-market special editions appeared later in production.
The 10 Series NX gives Japanese-market buyers two quite different driving experiences. The NX200t, renamed NX300 from 2017, uses the 2.0-litre 8AR-FTS turbocharged petrol engine producing 238 PS and 350 Nm. Paired with a six-speed automatic, it delivers stronger conventional acceleration and will appeal to buyers who prefer a petrol drivetrain without the characteristics of a hybrid system.
The NX300h takes a different approach. Its 2.5-litre 2AR-FXE petrol engine works with Lexus's hybrid system for a 197 PS combined system output, using an e-CVT rather than the turbo model's conventional automatic.
Front-wheel-drive and E-Four versions were offered in Japan, with E-Four using an additional electric motor to drive the rear wheels when required.
For an Irish import buyer, the NX300h is likely to be the natural starting point if efficiency, urban driving and the familiar Lexus hybrid drivetrain are priorities.
The NX200t/NX300 is the alternative for someone who specifically wants the stronger torque delivery and more conventional feel of a turbocharged petrol SUV.
The Japanese 10 Series range stretched from the original NX200t and NX300h through I Package, F Sport and Version L specifications, with several Japan-market special editions appearing throughout its seven-year production run.
The NX200t was the original turbocharged entry point when the NX launched in Japan in July 2014. It used the 8AR-FTS 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, paired with a six-speed Super ECT automatic transmission, and could be ordered with either front-wheel drive or AWD.
It shared the same 238 PS turbo powertrain as the more expensive NX200t grades, so choosing the un-suffixed NX200t did not mean accepting a less powerful engine. Its position was instead defined mainly by equipment. When new, it started at ¥4.28 million for the 2WD model, below I Package, F Sport and Version L. For someone searching Japan today, it can therefore be an interesting route into a first-generation turbo NX where condition and mileage matter more than having one of the headline specifications.
The NX200t I Package sat immediately above the regular NX200t in the original Japanese range. It retained the same 2.0-litre turbo engine, six-speed automatic and choice of 2WD or AWD, but added equipment to create a more premium specification without moving to the considerably more expensive F Sport or Version L. At launch, the 2WD I Package cost ¥4.42 million compared with ¥4.28 million for the regular NX200t.
I Package is also important because Lexus used it as the foundation for some later NX special editions. The Urban Style, for example, was explicitly based on the NX200t I Package. That makes I Package one of the key specifications to understand when comparing early Japanese NX200t listings rather than simply treating it as another badge.
Introduced in Japan in November 2016, the NX200t Urban Style was a special edition based specifically on the NX200t I Package. Lexus gave it a darker exterior treatment with a black-painted spindle grille and frame, black door mirrors and black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels. The wheel-arch mouldings were finished in body colour rather than the contrasting treatment used on regular versions.
It was therefore primarily a styling-focused derivative rather than a mechanical upgrade. The 2.0-litre turbo drivetrain remained, but the darker detailing gave the NX a more distinctive appearance immediately before the 2017 facelift. For somebody looking specifically for a late pre-facelift Japanese NX200t, Urban Style is one of the more unusual factory specifications to watch for.
The NX200t F Sport was the sporting flagship of the original turbo range. It retained the same 2.0-litre 8AR-FTS turbo engine as the other NX200t models but combined it with F Sport-specific styling and chassis equipment. Both 2WD and AWD were offered in Japan, and at launch it was priced at exactly the same level as Version L.
Crucially, F Sport was not merely an appearance package. Lexus fitted the original F Sport with NAVI/AI-AVS adaptive suspension and performance dampers, alongside model-specific suspension tuning. It also received the visual and interior changes associated with Lexus's F Sport line. For someone wanting an early 10 Series with a more sporting factory specification, this is the NX200t grade to look for.
The NX200t Version L occupied the luxury-focused end of the original turbo range. Like F Sport, it used the 2.0-litre turbo engine and six-speed automatic and was available with either 2WD or AWD. Lexus priced Version L and F Sport identically at launch, so Version L should not be viewed simply as a trim level sitting above F Sport. They represented two different approaches to a high-spec NX.
Where F Sport concentrated on sporting presentation and chassis changes, Version L was aimed at the more traditional Lexus luxury buyer. That distinction remains useful on the Japanese used market: an NX200t Version L is the version to investigate when cabin specification and comfort take priority over the F Sport look.
The NX300 replaced the NX200t name when Lexus facelifted the Japanese NX in September 2017. Despite the new badge, it continued to use the 8AR-FTS 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed Super ECT automatic, with both front-wheel-drive and AWD versions available. It should therefore be understood as the facelift-era successor to the NX200t rather than a 3.0-litre model.
The change coincided with a meaningful update to the NX itself. Lexus revised the exterior, enlarged the navigation display to 10.3 inches, updated the Remote Touch interface and made Lexus Safety System+ standard across the range. For an importer who wants the turbo petrol drivetrain, the NX300 therefore provides access to the later 10 Series rather than an entirely different engine.
The NX300 I Package continued the middle-grade formula after the 2017 facelift. It used the same 2.0-litre turbo drivetrain as the NX300 but added specification over the regular model while remaining below the F Sport and Version L on original Japanese pricing. In 2017, the 2WD I Package was ¥4.58 million compared with ¥4.40 million for the regular NX300 and ¥5.06 million for either F Sport or Version L.
It is particularly important within the later Japanese range because several special editions were built from it. Black Sequence, Bronze Edition and Spice & Chic all trace their specification back to I Package rather than F Sport or Version L. That makes NX300 I Package a useful benchmark when deciding whether the additional equipment and styling of one of those special editions is worth paying for.
The NX300 Black Sequence arrived in 2018 as part of a wider series of Lexus special editions celebrating 500,000 cumulative Lexus sales in Japan. The NX version was based on I Package and used unique exterior and interior details to distinguish it from the regular grade.
For the NX, Lexus included distinctive 18-inch wheels and special interior treatment, with equipment including L tex upholstery with accent white available as part of the specification. Black Sequence is therefore best viewed as a more distinctive I Package-based factory edition rather than a model sitting above F Sport or Version L. Its significance for an importer is mainly the combination of facelift-era equipment with a less common Japanese-market specification.
Introduced in January 2020, the NX300 Bronze Edition was exclusive to the turbocharged NX300 and was based on I Package. Lexus fitted bronze-finished 18-inch alloy wheels, bronze interior ornamentation and stitching, a black-painted spindle grille and frame, black mirrors and body-coloured wheel arches.
It was more than a colour-and-wheel package. Lexus also included a hands-free power tailgate, Parking Support Brake, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert as standard. Mechanically it retained the 2.0-litre turbo engine, six-speed automatic and choice of 2WD or AWD. For someone wanting an unusual late-production petrol 10 Series, Bronze Edition is one of the more distinctive Japanese specifications.
The NX300 Spice & Chic appeared in July 2020 and was another I Package-based special edition. Lexus offered dedicated interior combinations centred around crimson or bronze accents, including special stitching and ornament panels, while the exterior gained a high-brightness silver lower bumper moulding, body-coloured wheel arches and dark metallic 18-inch wheels.
Equipment was also upgraded. L tex seats included driver memory, heating and ventilation for the front seats, while a hands-free power tailgate, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert were standard. It makes Spice & Chic particularly interesting as a late NX300 because it combines distinctive trim with useful additional equipment rather than relying solely on cosmetic badging.
The NX300 Cool & Bright, also introduced in July 2020, took a different route. Instead of I Package, Lexus based it on the NX300 F Sport, making it the more sporting of the two special editions released at the same time.
It featured F Sport leather sports seats in black with special blue stitching, blue detailing throughout the cabin, black-sputtered 18-inch alloy wheels, black door mirrors and body-coloured wheel arches. Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert were also standard. For someone searching for a high-spec late 10 Series turbo model, Cool & Bright is one of the most interesting factory specifications because its starting point was already the F Sport.
The NX300 F Sport carried the sporting specification into the facelift era. It retained the 2.0-litre turbo engine and six-speed automatic but combined these with the F Sport exterior, interior and chassis treatment. Both 2WD and AWD remained available.
The 2017 update is particularly relevant here because Adaptive Variable Suspension was standard on F Sport, while it was optional on Version L. Lexus also introduced F Sport-specific interior colours including white and Flare Red and revised the suspension tuning across the NX range. For buyers specifically chasing the sportier 10 Series rather than simply the most equipment, NX300 F Sport is the obvious facelift turbo model to compare.
The NX300 Version L was the luxury-focused counterpart to F Sport after the facelift. It shared the 2.0-litre turbo engine, six-speed automatic and choice of 2WD or AWD, and Lexus again priced Version L and F Sport equally in Japan.
The difference is therefore one of character rather than rank. Version L concentrated on the luxury side of the NX, while F Sport received the more overt sporting treatment. The facelift also made Adaptive High-beam System standard on Version L and I Package, while AVS was available as an option on Version L rather than standard as on F Sport. For someone seeking a high-spec turbo NX without F Sport styling, Version L is the natural endpoint of the range.
The NX300h was the hybrid alternative from the very beginning of 10 Series production and, unlike the turbo model, retained the same model name through the 2017 facelift. It combines a 2.5-litre 2AR-FXE four-cylinder petrol engine with Lexus's THS II hybrid system, and Japanese buyers could choose 2WD or AWD.
That continuity means the year matters greatly when looking at an NX300h in Japan. A 2014 NX300h and a 2020 NX300h carry the same basic model designation, but the later car benefits from the 2017 facelift and subsequent safety, equipment and multimedia updates. The NX300h is also the branch of the 10 Series likely to be most familiar to Irish buyers because of Lexus's established hybrid drivetrain.
The NX300h I Package sat between the regular NX300h and the two headline F Sport and Version L grades. It retained the 2.5-litre hybrid system and was offered in both 2WD and AWD forms. At the original 2014 launch, it cost ¥5.06 million in 2WD form, compared with ¥4.92 million for the regular NX300h and ¥5.56 million for F Sport or Version L.
It remained part of the range after the facelift, when Lexus added equipment including Adaptive High-beam System as standard on I Package. It also became the foundation for several Japanese special editions. As a result, NX300h I Package is an important specification in its own right and one of the grades worth comparing closely when equipment matters but F Sport or Version L pricing is not necessary.
The NX300h Urban Style was launched alongside the NX200t Urban Style in November 2016 and was likewise based on I Package. It retained the NX300h hybrid drivetrain while introducing the special edition's darker exterior treatment.
Black-painted spindle grille and frame, black 18-inch alloy wheels and black mirrors were combined with body-coloured wheel arches and chrome side mouldings. Because it appeared shortly before the 2017 facelift, Urban Style occupies a fairly specific point in NX history: it is a late pre-facelift hybrid with a factory appearance package not found on the ordinary NX300h I Package.
The NX300h Black Sequence joined the range in 2018 as part of Lexus's Japanese 500,000-sales commemorative series. Like the NX300 equivalent, it was derived from I Package and received special exterior and interior detailing rather than a different hybrid drivetrain.
Japanese specification included distinctive 18-inch wheels, special mirror treatment and L tex upholstery with accent white among its identifying features. It is consequently a useful middle ground for someone who wants something less common than an ordinary facelift NX300h I Package without moving into the very different F Sport or Version L specifications.
Introduced in July 2020, the NX300h Spice & Chic took the facelift NX300h I Package and added one of the most distinctive interiors offered on the first-generation NX. Buyers could choose special crimson- or bronze-themed treatments with matching stitching and ornament panels.
It also brought useful equipment upgrades, including heated and ventilated front L tex seats, driver-seat position memory, a hands-free power tailgate, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. With body-coloured wheel arches and specially finished 18-inch wheels completing the package, Spice & Chic is much more than a badge-and-colour special and is worth identifying correctly in Japanese listings.
The NX300h Cool & Bright was the F Sport-based special edition launched alongside Spice & Chic in July 2020. This distinction is important: Spice & Chic started with I Package, whereas Cool & Bright started with the considerably sportier NX300h F Sport specification.
Its dedicated equipment included black F Sport leather sports seats with blue stitching, matching blue cabin detailing, black-sputtered 18-inch wheels, black mirrors and body-coloured wheel arches. Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert were standard as well. For someone searching Japan for one of the last and most distinctive 10 Series hybrids, Cool & Bright deserves particular attention.
The NX300h F Sport combined the 2.5-litre Lexus hybrid system with the sporting side of the NX range. It was available from the original 2014 launch and could be specified with either 2WD or AWD, giving buyers the efficiency and driving character of the hybrid without giving up the F Sport styling and chassis treatment.
Like the turbo F Sport, the original version received adaptive suspension, performance dampers and F Sport-specific suspension tuning. After the 2017 facelift, AVS remained standard on F Sport, while the model also benefited from the revised exterior, larger 10.3-inch navigation display and updated Lexus Safety System+. It is therefore important to distinguish early and facelift NX300h F Sport cars when comparing Japanese examples.
The NX300h Version L represents the luxury-focused end of the regular Japanese 10 Series hybrid range. It was offered from launch with both 2WD and AWD and sat alongside F Sport at the same original list price, rather than occupying a straightforward position above it.
Where F Sport pursued a sporting theme, Version L concentrated on the more traditional Lexus luxury experience. Facelift Version L cars also received the updated 10.3-inch navigation system and Lexus Safety System+, while equipment such as Adaptive High-beam System was standard and AVS could be specified as an option. For an Irish buyer wanting a highly specified first-generation NX300h without the F Sport treatment, Version L is the obvious Japanese grade to investigate first.
A MUCH BROADER NX THAN BEFORE
The second-generation Lexus NX represented much more than a redesign of the original model. Introduced for Japan in late 2021, it became one of the first models to establish the direction of the next generation of Lexus vehicles, with major changes to its platform, driving characteristics, cabin controls, multimedia and safety technology.
The Japanese range was also fundamentally different from the 10 Series. Instead of choosing primarily between turbo petrol and hybrid, buyers could now select from NX250, NX350, NX350h and NX450h+.
That meant naturally aspirated petrol, turbo petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains within the same model family. The NX450h+ was especially important as the first plug-in hybrid production model offered by Lexus.
The range continued to evolve after launch. Updates improved body rigidity, suspension tuning, safety equipment and cabin specification, while Overtrail later introduced a distinct all-terrain-influenced branch of the NX family. It became available with NX350, NX350h and NX450h+ powertrains rather than being simply another appearance package.
Typical Import Budget: Higher than the 10 Series and heavily dependent on powertrain, year and grade. NX250 provides the lower-priced route into the generation, while NX450h+ and later Overtrail cars occupy the expensive end of the Japanese market. Irish VRT should be checked against the individual vehicle before establishing an all-in budget.
Best For: Buyers wanting the newer NX platform and cabin, particularly those comparing conventional petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions rather than automatically choosing one drivetrain.
Engines:
NX250: 2.5L A25A-FKS naturally aspirated inline-four petrol
NX350: 2.4L T24A-FTS turbocharged inline-four petrol
NX350h: 2.5L A25A-FXS naturally aspirated inline-four petrol hybrid
NX450h+: 2.5L A25A-FXS naturally aspirated inline-four plug-in hybrid
Engine output: NX250: 201 PS; NX350: 279 PS; NX350h: 243 PS combined system output; NX450h+: 309 PS combined system output.
Drive: NX250 and NX350h were offered in 2WD and AWD forms. NX350 is AWD only. NX450h+ is AWD only in the Japanese range.
Transmission: Direct Shift 8-speed automatic on NX250 and NX350; electronically controlled continuously variable transmission on NX350h and NX450h+.
Notable Features: First Lexus PHEV with the NX450h+; available 14-inch touchscreen multimedia system; Lexus Safety System+; F Sport with dedicated 20-inch wheels, sports interior components and AVS; Overtrail added later with 18-inch all-terrain tyres, increased ground clearance and its own exterior and interior treatment.
The NX250 is the conventional starting point, using a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and Direct Shift eight-speed automatic. It is the simplest drivetrain in the Japanese 20 Series and was offered in both front-wheel drive and AWD. Above it, the NX350 changes character completely, using a 2.4-litre turbo engine producing 279 PS and 430 Nm, paired exclusively with AWD.
The NX350h is the conventional hybrid alternative and has the broadest drivetrain choice, with both front-wheel-drive and AWD versions available.
It combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine with Lexus's hybrid system and is offered across several specifications, including the later Overtrail.
At the other end sits the NX450h+, Lexus's plug-in hybrid NX. It combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine, front and rear electric motors and AWD, adding the ability to cover everyday journeys using stored battery power before operating as a hybrid. It is not simply a more powerful NX350h: its plug-in capability, additional hardware and positioning make it a distinctly different proposition.
From the naturally aspirated NX250 to the 309 PS NX450h+ plug-in hybrid and later Overtrail models, the Japanese 20 Series range offers distinctly different versions of the NX rather than a simple climb through equipment levels.
The NX250 provided the conventional petrol entry point to the Japanese 20 Series range. It uses the 2.5-litre A25A-FKS naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a Direct Shift eight-speed automatic. Japanese cars were offered in both front-wheel drive and AWD, giving the NX250 a simpler mechanical layout than the hybrid and turbo alternatives. Lexus has since ended production of the NX250 in Japan.
Its appeal is straightforward: there is no turbocharger or hybrid drivetrain, making it the most conventional powertrain offered in the second-generation Japanese NX range. That makes the NX250 quite different in character from the NX350h that became the central model in the range. For someone searching the Japanese used market, it is the 20 Series to consider when conventional petrol power and a potentially lower purchase price matter more than outright performance or electrification.
The NX250 Version L took the same 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol drivetrain and combined it with the luxury-focused Version L specification. Like the regular NX250, Japanese-market cars could be found in both 2WD and AWD form, so Version L changed the equipment and presentation rather than the basic engine concept.
This is the NX250 for someone who likes the simplicity of the naturally aspirated petrol drivetrain but does not want the entry specification. Version L follows the luxury side of the Japanese NX range, making it a very different proposition from the sport-oriented F Sport grades available with the more powerful NX350 and electrified NX350h/NX450h+.
The NX350 F Sport introduced the most performance-oriented conventional petrol combination in the 20 Series. Its 2.4-litre T24A-FTS turbocharged four-cylinder engine drives all four wheels through a Direct Shift eight-speed automatic. Unlike the NX250, the Japanese NX350 was AWD only.
F Sport also goes well beyond exterior trim. Lexus specifies 20-inch F Sport wheels, dedicated exterior and interior components, AVS adaptive suspension and front and rear performance dampers, giving it a chassis specification deliberately aimed at sharper responses. For someone wanting a 20 Series NX without hybrid assistance, this is the distinctly performance-led choice. Lexus has now ended Japanese sales of the NX350, making it a used-market proposition.
The NX350 Overtrail took the same 2.4-litre turbocharged engine and AWD drivetrain in a very different direction. Rather than pursuing the road-focused character of F Sport, Overtrail was developed around outdoor use, combining the strong turbo petrol drivetrain with the dedicated Overtrail chassis and appearance package.
It is immediately distinguished by 18-inch Overtrail wheels with 235/60R18 tyres, rather than the lower-profile 20-inch arrangement associated with other high-grade NX models. The Overtrail specification also raises overall vehicle height and has its own interior and exterior treatment. This makes it a genuine alternative to F Sport rather than simply another cosmetic edition. Like the NX350 F Sport, the turbo NX350 Overtrail has since been discontinued in Japan.
The NX350h is the core hybrid of the second-generation Japanese range. It uses the 2.5-litre A25A-FXS petrol engine with Lexus's hybrid system and an electronic continuously variable transmission. Both front-wheel drive and E-Four AWD versions were offered, with AWD cars adding a rear electric motor rather than a conventional mechanical connection between the engine and rear axle.
Importantly, the un-suffixed NX350h remains a grade in its own right rather than shorthand for every NX350h. It sits below Version L, F Sport and Overtrail in the current Japanese line-up. For an Irish buyer who wants the newer NX hybrid drivetrain without specifically paying for one of the headline specifications, this is an important Japanese-market version not to overlook.
The NX350h F Sport combines the 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain with the dedicated F Sport treatment. Unlike the NX350 turbo, it can be found in Japan with either front-wheel drive or E-Four AWD, so the F Sport badge does not automatically indicate AWD on an NX350h.
Its distinction is again more than visual. The F Sport package brings its own 20-inch wheels, sports seats and controls, AVS adaptive suspension and front and rear performance dampers. This makes the NX350h F Sport particularly relevant for someone who wants Lexus hybrid power but prefers a more driver-focused factory specification than the regular NX350h or luxury-oriented Version L.
The NX350h Version L takes the same 2.5-litre hybrid system in the opposite direction. Available in both 2WD and E-Four AWD form, Version L focuses on the luxury side of the NX rather than adopting the dedicated chassis and styling treatment of F Sport.
Japanese specification includes leather seating with driver position memory and ventilation for the front seats, along with Version L-specific equipment and trim. It should therefore be considered alongside F Sport rather than automatically above or below it. The decision between the two is largely about what you want from the car: F Sport for its sporting presentation and chassis equipment, Version L for the more traditional high-spec Lexus experience.
The NX350h Overtrail combines the 2.5-litre hybrid system with E-Four AWD as standard. Unlike the regular NX350h and the F Sport and Version L grades, there is no front-wheel-drive Overtrail version in the Japanese range.
Its specification gives the hybrid NX a noticeably different purpose. It receives dedicated 18-inch matt-black Overtrail wheels with 235/60R18 tyres, Overtrail L tex seating and its own exterior and interior detailing. It is therefore not simply an NX350h with rugged-looking trim. For someone wanting a hybrid NX for mixed road use, poorer surfaces and outdoor-oriented use, it occupies a niche that neither Version L nor F Sport is intended to fill.
The NX450h+ F Sport sits near the top of the electrified range and uses the 2.5-litre A25A-FXS petrol engine with a plug-in hybrid system and E-Four AWD. Unlike the NX350h, every Japanese NX450h+ is AWD. Its larger 18.1 kWh lithium-ion traction battery allows it to operate as an EV for useful everyday distances before continuing as a petrol-electric hybrid.
F Sport adds the same performance-led philosophy found elsewhere in the 20 Series, including dedicated 20-inch wheels, sporting cabin details, AVS and performance dampers. The result is quite different from an NX350h F Sport: the NX450h+ adds external charging and substantially greater electrical capability, making it the F Sport choice for someone specifically wanting the PHEV drivetrain.
The NX450h+ Version L combines the plug-in hybrid system with the luxury-focused side of the Japanese range. It is E-Four AWD only, using the 2.5-litre petrol engine together with front and rear electric motors and an electronic continuously variable transmission. The rear motor produces 54 PS and 121 Nm and forms part of the electric AWD system.
Where the F Sport version places greater emphasis on its sporting chassis and presentation, Version L concentrates on the high-spec Lexus experience. It is particularly relevant to an Irish buyer who wants the NX450h+ for its plug-in capability rather than for F Sport styling. In the Japanese range, Version L, F Sport and Overtrail are three different interpretations of the same PHEV drivetrain rather than a conventional low-to-high trim ladder.
The NX450h+ Overtrail brings together the most heavily electrified NX drivetrain and the outdoor-oriented Overtrail specification. It uses the same 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid system, 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery and E-Four AWD as the other NX450h+ grades, but packages them with the hardware and design changes developed specifically for Overtrail.
Dedicated 18-inch Overtrail wheels and 235/60R18 tyres replace the road-focused wheel and tyre combinations used elsewhere, while Overtrail-specific L tex seating and exterior detailing separate it visually from Version L and F Sport. It is currently the most expensive of the three NX450h+ specifications in Japan, but its significance is not simply price: it is the only one designed around the Overtrail concept, making it the most distinctive factory version of the current Japanese NX range.
There is no single NX that suits everyone. The 10 Series offers a simpler choice between turbo petrol and hybrid power, while the 20 Series expands that to naturally aspirated petrol, turbo petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
The useful question is therefore not which NX is "best", but which combination of age, drivetrain and equipment fits what you actually want from the car.
Start with the 10 Series. Earlier NX200t and NX300h cars generally provide the lowest entry point into the Japanese NX market, with I Package, F Sport and Version L giving plenty of scope to choose how much equipment you actually want. The important distinction is drivetrain. NX200t and facelift NX300 use the 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, while NX300h uses the 2.5-litre hybrid system. Decide between those first, then compare year, grade, mileage and condition.
Look closely at Version L. It appears across both generations and represents the luxury-focused side of the Japanese NX range rather than simply being a grade "above" F Sport. That distinction matters when searching Japan. A Version L and F Sport with the same drivetrain can suit quite different owners. Version L concentrates on luxury and comfort equipment, whereas F Sport adds its own styling and chassis treatment.
Both generations offer a strong hybrid choice, but they are not the same system. The 10 Series NX300h uses the earlier 2.5-litre hybrid drivetrain, while the 20 Series NX350h introduced the newer A25A-FXS-based system. The NX350h can also be found in Japanese 2WD and E-Four AWD form, including Version L and F Sport, while Overtrail is AWD only. The decision then becomes how much you value the newer generation against the potentially lower purchase cost of an NX300h.
There are three distinct routes. The NX200t/NX300 provides 2.0-litre turbo power in the 10 Series, while the 20 Series offered the naturally aspirated NX250 and substantially stronger turbocharged NX350. They should not be grouped together simply because none is a hybrid. The NX250 is the straightforward naturally aspirated option; the NX350 is a 279 PS, 430 Nm turbo model with AWD and was offered as F Sport and, later, Overtrail.
F Sport exists with several NX powertrains, so the badge alone does not tell you which car you are looking at. There are NX200t, NX300 and NX300h F Sport versions in the 10 Series, followed by NX350, NX350h and NX450h+ F Sport in the 20 Series. The later F Sport specification includes dedicated wheels and interior details as well as AVS adaptive suspension and performance dampers, so it is not simply an appearance package. Choose the drivetrain independently, then decide whether the F Sport treatment is something you actually want.
That immediately narrows the search to the 20 Series NX450h+. It combines the 2.5-litre petrol engine with front and rear electric motors, an 18.1 kWh lithium-ion battery and E-Four AWD. From there, the choice is principally specification: Version L takes the luxury route, F Sport the sporting route, and Overtrail the outdoor-oriented route. The underlying PHEV concept remains the same, so there is no need to choose a specification before deciding whether regular external charging actually suits how you intend to use the car.
The NX is unusual because choosing the engine can narrow the search faster than choosing the grade. If you want conventional petrol power, the Japanese range spans the NX200t/NX300, NX250 and NX350. If you prefer a hybrid that does not need plugging in, the choice becomes NX300h or NX350h. If you can charge regularly and specifically want PHEV capability, the NX450h+ is the relevant model, with an 18.1 kWh battery and E-Four AWD.
The NX suits someone who already appreciates the Lexus formula but does not necessarily want the size of an RX. At 4,660 mm long in the current generation, it packages the brand's premium cabin and technology into a relatively manageable five-seat SUV.
It is particularly relevant if hybrid power is part of the reason you are looking at Lexus in the first place. Japan offers plenty of NX300h and NX350h choice, while the newer NX450h+ adds plug-in capability and E-Four AWD. The 20 Series NX350h can also be found as either 2WD or E-Four AWD, giving buyers more choice than the badge alone might suggest.
The NX also works well for Lexus buyers who care about specification. Version L, F Sport and Overtrail are meaningfully different interpretations of the same car, rather than simply three increasingly expensive badges. That gives you scope to choose the NX around comfort, a sportier factory setup or a more outdoor-oriented specification.
If your idea of a Lexus is a larger, more relaxed luxury car, the NX may simply be the wrong part of the range. It is a five-seat compact premium SUV, and choosing Version L does not change its underlying dimensions or turn it into a smaller RX.
Likewise, an F Sport badge should not be mistaken for a dedicated Lexus performance model. F Sport brings genuine changes including its own seats, controls and chassis-related equipment, but the NX remains an SUV designed to cover a broad range of everyday uses. Someone looking primarily for performance or traditional rear-driven Lexus character may find another part of the brand more appealing.
Finally, buyers who simply want the cheapest route into a Japanese hybrid SUV may struggle to justify paying for the Lexus badge, equipment and cabin. The NX is most coherent when those Lexus qualities are actually part of what you want, rather than when the badge happens to be attached to the right-sized hybrid SUV.
Best for
Lexus buyers wanting premium comfort with strong hybrid choice.
Avoid if
You really need RX space or performance-car character.
Sweet Spot
NX300h or NX350h, depending on budget and generation.
What surprises owners most
How different the NX feels across grades and powertrains.
One sentence verdict
Choose the drivetrain first, then the NX specification.
The Lexus NX is unusually easy to shop for in the wrong order. An F Sport may catch your attention first, a Version L may have the equipment you want, and a rare Japanese special edition may look more appealing than either. But those badges tell only part of the story.
Across the two Japanese generations, the NX covers turbo petrol, naturally aspirated petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains. Even cars wearing the same F Sport or Version L badge can therefore be fundamentally different underneath.
That matters more than chasing the highest specification. An NX300h Version L and NX300 Version L share the luxury positioning but deliver quite different driving and ownership experiences.
The same applies to an NX350h F Sport and NX450h+ F Sport: one is a conventional hybrid, while the other carries a larger battery and is designed to be plugged in.
The second mistake is assuming that F Sport, Version L and Overtrail form a simple good-better-best hierarchy. They do not. F Sport takes the sporting route, Version L concentrates on luxury, while Overtrail changes the NX in another direction with its own wheel, tyre, chassis and styling treatment.
Start with the fundamentals instead: 10 Series or 20 Series? Petrol, hybrid or PHEV? 2WD or AWD? Once those decisions are made, the grade becomes much easier to choose.
With an NX, the most expensive or most eye-catching Japanese listing is not automatically the right one. The better choice is the specification whose drivetrain and equipment match how you actually intend to use it.
The 10 Series established the NX in 2014 as Lexus's first compact crossover. Its Japanese range was relatively easy to understand: the NX200t introduced Lexus's first production turbocharged engine, while the NX300h provided the 2.5-litre hybrid alternative. The turbo model later became the NX300, but the basic split between petrol turbo and hybrid remained.
What makes the first generation interesting today is the depth within that apparently simple range. I Package, F Sport and Version L give the core models quite different characters, while Urban Style, Black Sequence, Bronze Edition, Spice & Chic and Cool & Bright add some genuinely Japan-specific choices. Early and facelift cars also look noticeably different, so there is more variation within the 10 Series than the two main powertrain names suggest.
The 20 Series changed the formula. Instead of two main powertrain families, Japanese buyers gained the NX250 naturally aspirated petrol, NX350 turbo, NX350h hybrid and NX450h+ plug-in hybrid. The current Japanese range continues with NX350h and NX450h+, while the NX350 turbo has now ended production.
It also broadened what an NX could be. Version L still covers the luxury side and F Sport remains the sporting interpretation, but Overtrail adds something the original generation never offered: an outdoor-focused specification with dedicated 18-inch wheels and 235/60R18 all-terrain tyres.
The choice between generations therefore goes beyond old versus new. The 10 Series is the original, simpler NX formula with some excellent Japanese special editions; the 20 Series gives you far greater choice in powertrain and factory specification.
For a Lexus enthusiast, the attraction of Japan is not simply that there are NXs for sale. It is access to the Japanese domestic range in the market where the NX was offered in a particularly broad selection of powertrains, grades and special editions.
That becomes obvious with the 10 Series. Alongside NX200t, NX300 and NX300h are familiar Lexus grades such as I Package, F Sport and Version L, but also Japanese special editions that are much less straightforward to find locally. Urban Style, for example, was officially offered in Japan on both NX200t and NX300h and was based on I Package, with its own black grille, wheels and mirror treatment.
The 20 Series gives you a different reason to look at Japan. Its domestic range spans conventional petrol, turbo petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, with drivetrain choices varying between them.
Current Japanese NX350h models include both 2WD and E-Four AWD, while the NX450h+ is E-Four AWD. Version L, F Sport and Overtrail then allow the same basic powertrain to be approached in very different ways.
That breadth is useful because it lets you search for the NX you actually want, rather than starting with whichever specification happens to be available in Ireland.
For some buyers that might mean a late NX300h Version L. For another it could be an NX350h F Sport AWD, an unusual 10 Series special edition or an NX450h+ Overtrail. None is automatically the better NX. The advantage of searching Japan is simply having a much wider domestic-market selection from which to make that decision.
Reliability is one of the reasons many people arrive at Lexus in the first place, and the NX fits naturally into that reputation. The first-generation NX300h uses Toyota and Lexus hybrid technology from an era when the company already had many years of production hybrid experience behind it. The second-generation NX350h develops that formula further with the newer A25A-FXS-based hybrid system.
That does not mean every used NX should be treated equally. Condition, maintenance history and previous use still matter. On a Japanese import, the individual car is more important than simply seeing a Lexus badge and assuming there is nothing to inspect. Hybrid battery condition, accident and repair history, servicing, tyres, brakes, suspension and the operation of electrical equipment should all form part of the assessment.
There is also an important distinction between the different NX powertrains. An NX200t or NX300 has the 8AR-FTS turbo engine and six-speed automatic. An NX300h adds the earlier Lexus hybrid system. The 20 Series then introduces the A25A-family petrol and hybrid engines, the T24A-FTS turbo in the NX350 and the considerably more complex plug-in hybrid system of the NX450h+.
None of that is a reason to avoid one version in favour of another. It is a reason to buy the particular NX on its own merits.
For a Lexus enthusiast, that is perhaps the reassuring part. You do not need to find some mythical version of the NX that is immune to age or wear. Find the drivetrain and grade you actually want, then concentrate on finding the best individual Japanese example of it.
The NX sits in a useful middle ground. It gives you the elevated seating position and practicality that draw people towards an SUV, but without moving into the physical size of an RX. The original 10 Series measures around 4.63 metres long, while the second generation grew only slightly to 4.66 metres.
That matters more in daily use than it does on a specification sheet. An NX can work as the family car, commuter or long-distance Lexus without feeling like you have bought more SUV than you actually need.
The hybrid versions arguably show the NX concept at its most recognisably Lexus. An NX300h or NX350h does not require you to change your routine around charging. Start it, drive it and allow the hybrid system to manage the relationship between petrol and electric power.
The NX450h+ offers something different for someone who can make use of regular charging.
Specification changes the experience too. Version L has the traditional luxury emphasis, F Sport adds a more sporting cabin and chassis specification, and Overtrail introduces a deliberately different outdoor-oriented character.
Perhaps that is the real strength of living with an NX. It does not demand that you accept many compromises simply because you wanted a Lexus SUV. It is large enough to be useful, small enough to remain manageable and available in enough Japanese specifications to find one that feels like your Lexus rather than simply another NX.
Some will always prefer an NX300h Version L because it represents a very traditional Lexus combination: hybrid power, generous equipment and a luxury-focused specification. Others will immediately gravitate towards an F Sport, particularly when paired with one of the stronger powertrains.
The 20 Series takes that choice further. An NX350h can deliver the Lexus hybrid experience without requiring external charging.
The NX450h+ adds genuine plug-in capability. Overtrail takes the NX somewhere it had not been before, with dedicated 18-inch wheels, higher-profile 235/60R18 all-terrain tyres and its own chassis and design treatment. And that variety is important because there isn't one correct way to be an NX fan.
You can like the relative simplicity and styling of the original 10 Series. You can specifically want a late NX300h. You can prefer Version L to F Sport. You can want the newer NX350h because of the second-generation cabin and hybrid system, or decide that the NX450h+ fits your use better.
What ties them together is the original idea behind the NX: take the qualities people already associate with Lexus and package them into a premium SUV that is easier to live with than the larger RX.
For the right person, that is not the compromise in the Lexus SUV range. That is exactly the reason to want an NX.
The NX started in 2014 as Lexus's first compact crossover, but it did not remain simply the smaller alternative to the RX. It developed its own identity through the original NX200t and NX300h, the later NX300, F Sport and Version L grades, Japanese special editions and, eventually, the much broader second-generation range. Lexus itself describes the NX as one of its global core models, with cumulative sales exceeding 1.42 million across more than 90 countries and regions by early 2024.
What has remained consistent is Lexus quality, distinctive design and a choice of genuinely different powertrains in a size that does not require stepping up to an RX. For many Lexus fans, that is not a compromise. It is the point of the NX.
No. Size is part of the difference, but the NX was developed as Lexus's first compact crossover with its own "Premium Urban Sports Gear" concept. The first generation also introduced Lexus's first production turbocharged engine in the NX200t. The RX remains the larger SUV, but the NX developed into a separate model family rather than simply an RX reduced in scale.
Much less than the names suggest. The NX200t became the NX300 as part of the 2017 facelift, retaining the 2.0-litre 8AR-FTS turbocharged petrol engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The name change therefore does not represent an increase from a 2.0-litre to a 3.0-litre engine. When comparing Japanese cars, year, condition, specification and whether the car is pre- or post-facelift are more useful distinctions.
They belong to different generations and use different hybrid systems. The 10 Series NX300h uses the 2.5-litre 2AR-FXE-based system with a combined output of 197 PS. The 20 Series NX350h moved to the newer A25A-FXS-based 2.5-litre hybrid system and 243 PS system output. So an NX350h is not simply a higher-output grade of NX300h. It belongs to the completely redesigned second generation.
No. This is an important distinction when comparing Japanese NXs. Even on the original NX, Lexus gave F Sport dedicated suspension tuning and performance dampers alongside its unique exterior and interior treatment. Later F Sport models continued the idea with grade-specific chassis equipment. That does not make every F Sport the fastest NX, however. NX300h F Sport, NX350 F Sport and NX450h+ F Sport use very different powertrains.
It is better not to think of them as a simple hierarchy. On the original 2014 Japanese NX, Version L and F Sport actually carried identical list prices when fitted with the same powertrain and drivetrain. They represent different interpretations of the NX. Version L takes the luxury-focused route, while F Sport has the more sporting styling, cabin and chassis treatment. Which one is preferable depends on what you want from the car.
No. This is worth checking carefully when browsing Japanese listings. The original NX300h was sold in Japan as both front-wheel drive and E-Four AWD. The later NX350h has likewise been available in 2WD and E-Four configurations, depending on grade. Never assume that the hybrid badge automatically means AWD.
Yes, although the differences vary considerably between editions. For example, the Urban Style was based on I Package and received dedicated black treatment for the spindle grille, door mirrors and wheels, along with body-coloured wheel-arch mouldings. Other Japanese editions included Black Sequence, Bronze Edition, Spice & Chic and Cool & Bright. That is why the complete grade name matters when looking at a Japanese NX rather than treating every NX300 or NX300h as equivalent.
Overtrail is not simply another colour-and-wheel special edition. Lexus introduced the OVERTRAIL package to the Japanese NX range in 2024 as part of a broader outdoor-oriented direction for the model. It has its own exterior and interior treatment together with dedicated wheel and tyre choices and changes intended to suit less-than-perfect surfaces. It therefore sits alongside F Sport and Version L as a different interpretation of the NX rather than simply above or below them.
You do not lose the ability to continue driving when the usable EV charge is depleted because the NX450h+ can operate using its petrol-electric hybrid system. However, regular charging is central to getting the benefit of choosing the plug-in hybrid in the first place. If you have no intention or practical ability to charge routinely, an NX350h deserves serious comparison rather than automatically assuming the NX450h+ is preferable because it sits higher in the range.
They should be compared on more than age. The NX350h gives you the newer generation, newer hybrid system and substantially different cabin and technology, while a late 10 Series NX300h can offer a very high specification and access to Version L, F Sport and several Japanese special editions. A particularly good late NX300h may therefore be more appealing to one person than an earlier or lower-spec 20 Series car. Condition, grade, drivetrain and purchase price all deserve to be considered alongside generation.
Start with the exact model, grade and drivetrain, because visually similar NXs can have very different mechanical specifications. Then examine mileage verification, service history, auction or condition information where available, accident and repair history, tyres, brakes, suspension, hybrid or PHEV system condition and the operation of the car's electrical equipment.
For F Sport, Version L, special editions and Overtrail cars, also confirm that the vehicle actually has the factory specification represented in the listing. With Japan offering so many NX variants, identifying exactly what you are looking at is part of the buying process.
Yes. Rather than limiting the search to "Lexus NX", you can narrow it by generation, powertrain, grade, drivetrain, year, mileage, colour and equipment.
That is particularly useful with the NX because Japan gives you everything from an early NX200t or NX300h to Version L and F Sport cars, 10 Series special editions, NX350h and NX450h+ models and the later Overtrail specifications.
The aim is not to decide in advance that one of those is the "best" NX. It is to establish which NX you want, then search Japan for the strongest examples that fit that brief.
NX300h F Sport owner
"It still feels like a proper Lexus every time I get in. Mine is an F Sport so the ride is a little firmer, but I like that. It doesn't feel like an old SUV just because the newer NX is out."
NX300h Version L owner
"The hybrid is almost the background to the car. You stop thinking about when it is using petrol or electric power and just drive it. For me, the Version L suits the NX better than chasing a sportier setup."
NX350h F Sport owner
"The biggest difference from the older NX300h is how much more responsive the whole car feels. It is still smooth and easy to drive, but it doesn't feel like the hybrid system is asking you to be patient with it."
Lexus owner who moved into an NX
"What surprised me is that it doesn't feel like the Lexus you settle for because you don't need an RX. After living with it, the smaller size becomes one of the reasons you want the NX in the first place."
Understanding the import process matters just as much as choosing the right Lexus NX. These guides explain the costs, VRT, buying process and other practical questions worth understanding before you start comparing cars in Japan.
Tell us your budget and what you already know about the NX you want. We can look at current Japanese-market examples, compare the specifications and give you a clearer picture of what your budget can realistically access before you decide whether importing is right for you.
See what is actually available in Japan, understand the differences and make up your own mind.
Looking for more information? Explore our most popular import guides covering costs, VRT, buying advice and everything involved in importing a car from Japan to Ireland.
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