2022 Lexus NX 350 F SPORT
The 2022 Lexus NX 350 F SPORT

2022 Lexus NX 350 F SPORT review: A wonderful luxury SUV

The NX 350 F is sporty, spacious and packed with useful tech

With the 2022 NX Series, Lexus began its pivot to an all-electric lineup and a greener future. The 2022 Lexus NX Series opens a new chapter for Lexus that is built on four pillars: Design, Lexus Driving Signature, Electrification, and Advanced Technology. As such, Lexus has completely redesigned the NX lineup inside-out, completely reimagining what a Lexus should look like and how you should experience your Lexus.

We took the 2022 Lexus NX 350 F SPORT for a road trip, and when it comes to design, jaws were dropping everywhere we rolled in with the NX series.

Design: An all-new Lexus design language

The most prominent indicator of the pivot towards a new direction for Lexus design is the elegant new block LEXUS rear badging and full-width tail lamp.

The 2022 NX Series features longer, wider, and taller frames than the previous model. On the other hand, Lexus’ designers took a lightweight and compact approach to the interior, resulting in about 14% more cargo space with the second-row seats up. All this was achieved without sacrificing the use of noise-dampening materials that ensure the NX Series offers a whisper-quiet haven from the outer world.

The NX also offers you more control over the NX Series’ design with more personalization options. With the NX Series, you can express a full range of emotions and evoke a feeling of comfort with nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination, you can choose from the diverse interior seat and console colors, and enjoy the redesigned ornamentation, the opulent touch of the black open-pore wood trim on the Luxury model, and an optional panoramic moonroof that gives both the front and rear passengers the ability to see the sky with just the push of a button. The result is an interior that can look both sporty and luxurious.

Performance: Faster and more efficient

The improved vehicle dynamics and lower center of gravity boosts the 2.4L turbo’s performance in the NX 350. The new eight-speed transmission supports the luxury crossover’s 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. With a combined 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds, the NX 350 is over a half-second faster than the previous model and achieves an EPA-estimated 25 MPG.

This system gets an EPA-estimated 28 combined MPG and is offered in FWD and AWD configurations. The engine’s 203 horsepower and 184 lb. ft. of torque enable it to reach 60 mph in 8.2 seconds for front-wheel drive vehicles and 8.6 seconds for all-wheel drive vehicles.

Multimedia System: Intuitive and connected

Head-up display in the Lexus NX
The head-up display in the Lexus NX projects vehicle speed and other information onto the windshield

The NX Series features a large 9.8-inch, optically bonded touchscreen and an optional huge 14-inch touchscreen that includes a three-year trial for Drive Connect services such as Destination Assist and Intelligent Assistant. The Lexus NX also features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

The Lexus Interface features a new Voice Assistant that may be activated by voice command or by pressing a button on the steering wheel. With a Drive Connect membership, the Intelligent Assistant enables front seat occupants to access media, phone, and vehicle settings using their voice thanks to dual microphones, improved noise-cancellation, seat detection, and speaker localization capabilities.

The Lexus Interface, Cloud Navigation system, features 100% cloud capability and integrated Google POI data, allowing for faster and more exact directions and mapping, over-the-air (OTA) real-time updates, and an offline mode can download applicable maps and services in advance.

Enhanced safety

Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a standard feature on the new NX vehicles, gives drivers additional peace of mind. A foundation of protection is built using new features like Intersection Support and Curve Speed Management. On the NX 350h and NX 450h+ models, the optional Digital Key makes parking and vehicle access a pleasure.

The advanced safety features of the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 include:

  • Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist
  • Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking
  • Right/Left Turn Oncoming Pedestrian Detection/Braking
  • Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management
  • Road Sign Assist
  • Pre-Collision System
  • Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist
  • Intelligent High Beam
  • Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

F SPORT Handling: Performance and style

The F SPORT Handling is available on the NX 350 and NX 450h+. It increases the driving dynamics with a sporty feel amplified by the Active Variable Suspension (AVS) and front and rear performance dampers.

The F SPORT grille and the revised front and back bumpers create a distinct first impression. To increase curb attractiveness, 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels are framed by overfenders in complementary colors. The sport-inspired materials are integrated on the seats, steering wheel, and center console and are displayed as perforated inside trim in black and Circuit Red NuLuxe.

Unique headlamps, a 14-inch touchscreen, and Thematic Ambient Illumination are included in the premium package in addition to the styling and functionality.

Absolutely. The 2022 Lexus NX series drives like a dream with easy handling. What’s more – its adaptive cruise control is incredibly good and easy to use, so much so, that it’s akin to the experience of “driving” a self-driving car.

We also appreciate the car’s plethora of (standard) safety features. We had an instance where we were warned of a crash and were saved from one thanks to the pre-collision system.

And it’s also the little things that drivers will appreciate in the 2022 NX series – for example, how the car’s high beams turn on automatically when needed. We also appreciate how the head-up display projects vehicle speed and other information onto the windshield, so that you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.

Its black and circuit red NuLux sports-inspired interior feels both exciting and comfortable to sit on every time you get in the car. The interior is also roomy and spacious. And the 2022 NX’s exterior is an absolute head-turner. We can’t recall the last time we got this many compliments while going for a test drive.

2022 Lexus NX 350 Sports interior
2022 Lexus NX 350 Sports interior

When it comes to infotainment, the huge 14-inch touchscreen is a pleasure to use. However, while we had no issue using Apple Carplay on the system with our iPhone, we could not get Android Auto to work with our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3.

It’s also worth noting that the NX series’ Mark Levinson speaker system is powerful, rich, and balanced, making it one of the best audio systems we’ve tested to date in a vehicle. We also appreciate that there are plenty of USB ports and USB-C ports available on board to charge up our devices with, in addition to having a wireless charging pad.

2022 Lexus NX series pricing

If you are interested in the Lexus NX series, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is as follows:

  • $39,025 for NX 250 FWD
  • $40,625 for NX 250 AWD
  • $42,625 for NX 350
  • $42,125 for NX 350h
  • $56,635 for NX 450h+