The NX is Lexus’s compact luxury crossover nameplate, introduced for the 2015 model year and first shown publicly in 2014. It marked Lexus’s entry into the compact premium SUV segment and was positioned below the brand’s larger RX, bringing a more urban, car-like alternative to buyers who wanted Lexus luxury in a smaller footprint. The original NX arrived with turbocharged gasoline and hybrid versions, and it quickly became one of the brand’s most important volume models in global markets.
For the 2022 model year, Lexus launched an all-new second generation of the NX, updating the nameplate with a major redesign rather than replacing it with a new badge. That generation broadened the lineup further with additional electrified powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid variant, while keeping the NX focused on efficiency, technology, and everyday versatility. The model has remained a core part of Lexus’s crossover lineup since its debut, reflecting the brand’s shift toward smaller premium SUVs and electrified offerings.
The NX has not had a break in production since its introduction, so it is treated as a single continuous nameplate history rather than a discontinued-and-revived model. Its significance lies in establishing Lexus in the compact luxury crossover class and in serving as one of the brand’s key modern electrified utility vehicles.