Is Lexus nx300 front-wheel drive?
No. The NX300 badge is not used on Lexus’s current lineup. If you’re shopping new, you won’t find an NX300; the latest models are the NX250 and NX350 (and a few other variants). If you’re looking at a used NX300, it could be front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive depending on the year and trim.
Historically, the NX300 has appeared with different powertrains and drivetrain configurations across generations and markets. The question of whether a specific NX300 is front-wheel drive depends on the model year, region, and trim level. This article explains the general pattern, what to look for today, and how to verify the drivetrain on a given vehicle.
Current lineup context and what it means for NX300
The modern Lexus NX range focuses on NX250 and NX350 (with limited variations by market). The NX300 badge has largely faded from U.S. marketing in favor of newer naming. For someone evaluating a used NX300, it’s important to verify whether the vehicle is from an older generation that offered both FWD and AWD options, or a later model that has since been renamed to NX250/NX350 in the official lineup.
What follows lays out the key points about drivetrain options and how to identify them in practice.
Historical context of the NX300 drivetrain
Here are the typical drivetrain configurations for the NX300 across generations and markets.
- The NX300 (earlier generations) commonly offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), depending on trim and market.
- NX300h, the hybrid variant, used a hybrid drivetrain that could be paired with AWD in many markets, though configurations varied by year.
- In the United States, the badge was gradually replaced in marketing by NX250 and NX350, so newer models no longer use the NX300 designation.
Bottom line: Across generations, the NX300 could be FWD or AWD, but in current U.S. marketing the NX300 badge is no longer used. If you’re checking a used example, confirm the drivetrain for that specific year and trim.
How to verify drivetrain on a used NX300
Before buying a used NX300, confirm whether it’s front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive using these checks.
- Check the Monroney window sticker or the vehicle’s original documentation for the drivetrain specification (FWD vs AWD).
- Look for AWD badges on the exterior (often on the rear of the vehicle) or in the interior instrument cluster and information displays.
- Review the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and build sheet; some VIN decoding tools or dealer databases reveal drivetrain configuration.
- Test drive with attention to traction behavior and power delivery; AWD models typically show improved traction in less-than-perfect conditions.
Concluding takeaway: Drivetrain configuration affects handling, snow/rain performance, and maintenance costs, so verify FWD vs AWD before purchase and rely on official documentation when possible.
Summary
The NX300 is not a current Lexus model in the U.S. lineup. In older generations, the NX300 was offered with either FWD or AWD, and the NX300h version used a different hybrid drivetrain. If you’re shopping today, focus on the NX250 and NX350, and for any used NX300 verify the drivetrain with documentation, the VIN, or a dealer query to ensure you’re getting the configuration you want.
