What is the difference between Lexus nx300 and nx300h?
The NX300 is the turbocharged gasoline variant with higher power, while the NX300h is the hybrid version designed to maximize fuel efficiency and lower emissions. The naming reflects two distinct powertrains that Lexus offered for the NX crossover, with the hybrid version historically represented as NX300h and the turbocharged gas version as NX300.
What these models represent
The Lexus NX lineup has long offered two main paths: a performance-oriented gasoline engine (NX300) and a hybrid drivetrain (NX300h) that blends an internal combustion engine with electric motors. In practice, this means the NX300 prioritizes acceleration and sportier driving feel, while the NX300h emphasizes efficiency and smoothness.
Powertrain and performance
Below is a concise comparison of the core powertrain differences and how they translate to on-road behavior.
- NX300: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine producing around 235 horsepower and about 258 lb-ft of torque; paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission; front- or all-wheel drive options available. This setup yields quicker acceleration and stronger highway passing power.
- NX300h: 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4 engine combined with an electric motor for a total output around 197 horsepower; uses Lexus Hybrid Drive with an electric continuously variable transmission (eCVT); typically available with AWD as an option. Expect smoother, quieter acceleration and improved efficiency rather than outright speed.
The turbocharged NX300 aims for a more dynamic driving feel, while the NX300h emphasizes refined, efficient performance through hybrid synergy.
Fuel economy and efficiency
Differences in efficiency are the defining contrast between these two powertrains. The hybrid model generally achieves higher miles-per-gallon (or equivalent) because the electric motor can assist at low speeds and during cruising, reducing fuel burn in city and highway driving alike.
Typical guidance for older NX generations shows the NX300h delivering notably better overall efficiency than the NX300. Exact EPA numbers vary by model year and drivetrain (FWD vs. AWD) and by the broader NX generation, but in broad terms:
- NX300 tends to sit in the lower-to-mid 20s mpg in city driving and can approach the low-to-mid 30s mpg on the highway, depending on configuration.
- NX300h typically achieves higher combined mpg, with estimates commonly in the low-to-mid 30s mpg range across various driving conditions.
Note: The NX naming evolved over generations. In more recent Lexus NX models, the hybrid is marketed as the NX 350h rather than NX300h, and there is also a plug-in variant known as NX 450h+. Fuel economy figures depend heavily on the year, market, and chosen drivetrain.
Drivetrain, transmission, and ride
Drivetrain architecture and transmission technology influence how each model feels in daily driving. The NX300 uses traditional automatic gear shifting with options for all-wheel drive, delivering a more conventional, responsive performance profile. The NX300h uses a hybrid system with an electric motor and eCVT, prioritizing smooth, quiet operation and efficiency, with hybrid power management optimizing propulsion and energy recovery.
Interior and technology
In terms of interior design and tech, both variants share much of Lexus’s cabin quality and most of the same infotainment and driver-assistance features. The hybrid model may feature eco-focused instrument displays and drive modes that highlight energy regeneration, while the turbo model emphasizes sportier throttle response and, depending on trim, sport-tuned suspension tuning.
Historical context and naming
NX300h has historically referred to Lexus’s hybrid NX variant in earlier generations (roughly mid-2010s). In the latest generations, Lexus shifted away from the NX300h badge in many markets, using NX 350h to denote the hybrid variant and NX 450h+ for the plug-in hybrid. If you’re shopping used, you’re more likely to encounter NX300 (gas turbo) and NX300h (older hybrid) as distinct model years with different standard features and powertrains.
When comparing these two, verify the exact model year and market to ensure you’re looking at the same hardware, since naming and specifications evolved with newer NX generations.
Which should you choose?
Choosing between NX300 and NX300h depends on your priorities and driving style. If you want stronger straight-line performance and a more engaging drive, the NX300 is the better pick. If your priority is fuel economy, lower running costs, and a quieter ride in everyday use, the NX300h or its modern successor, the NX 350h, is the smarter choice. As always, check the specific market and year for exact horsepower, transmission type, and fuel economy figures.
Summary
The NX300 and NX300h represent two paths within the Lexus NX family: a turbocharged gasoline model with spirited performance (NX300) and a hybrid variant focused on efficiency and smoothness (NX300h). Over time, Lexus refocused its nomenclature, with hybrids increasingly labeled as NX 350h in newer generations and NX 450h+ for plug-in hybrids. For buyers, the key decision is balance: power and immediacy versus fuel economy and refined, quiet operation.
