If you’ve been looking for a luxury compact SUV, you may have seen the Lexus NX for sale. The 2025 NX has broad appeal thanks to its variety of powertrains and grades, which give it a wide range of prices that help it appeal to drivers with different budgets. Two of its powertrains are traditional gas-powered engines, while two are hybrid setups: the NX 350h is a traditional hybrid that gets 39 MPG combined, while the NX 450h+ is a plug-in hybrid that gets an estimated 84 MPGe with a fully-charged battery.
Back in the 2022 model year, the NX got a full redesign, getting a fresh exterior design, a new lineup of driver assist safety features, a pair of new touchscreen displays, and the diverse powertrain lineup it’s known for today. That was a major overhaul, and it wasn’t a big surprise when the 2023 model had virtually no updates, and the 2024 model received just a few minor styling changes with some fresh interior color options. The 2025 model year isn’t exactly a major refresh, but it does have the biggest changes that the model has seen since the new generation was introduced for 2022. So today, let’s take a look at what’s new for the NX and what those changes mean for drivers like you.
Newly Standard Features
Three features that were previously merely available are now standard across the lineup. Automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers activate when they detect moisture, keeping visibility clear in all weather without the driver having to spend mental energy adjusting the wipers as the rain picks up and dies down. Intuitive Parking Assist with Automatic Braking uses sensors to detect obstacles while the driver is parking, providing warnings or stopping the vehicle when the NX is about to hit something.
These safety features join a long list of already-standard driver assist features on the NX. The Pre-Collision System detects forward collisions and provides warnings and automatic emergency braking in response to danger, with Pedestrian Detection and Intersection Support allowing it to work properly in a wide range of common driving scenarios. Lane Tracing Assist and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist help you stay within the lines, which can come in handy during long stretches of monotonous driving. Road Sign Assist helps you keep track of speed limits and other rules of the road, while Intelligent High Beams lets you see clearly at night without dazing or distracting other drivers. All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control automatically slows down or comes to a stop to match the speed of traffic, while Proactive Driving Assist automatically provides gentle braking and steering to help you handle sudden curves and changes in traffic.
The final new standard feature falls under the heading of convenience rather than safety. The power back door opens the hatch at the back of the NX at the push of a button, which makes loading and unloading cargo easier. You can adjust the height it opens to so it never ends up out of reach, no matter your height. This can be helpful when you need to access the cargo area with your arms full, and making it a standard feature makes the NX feel that much more like a luxury model.
Standard USB-C Ports
The NX’s center console now features two standard USB-C ports. Even if you’re not “plugged in” to the world of tech, you may have noticed the rising popularity of USB-C, which has been replacing the older USB-A connection over the past few years. USB-C (also called USB Type-C) has several advantages over its predecessor. For one thing, there is no “right way” to plug it in—fumbling with a USB cord to try to get it right-side up has long been a frustrating experience and can be especially unpleasant when you’re in your car, ready to head out for a drive. And even though USB-C is smaller, because it’s more advanced, it can be used to charge more powerful electronics, like laptops, that can’t be plugged in via USB-A.
While this change may seem small for drivers who still use old USB cables, it’s an important update in terms of future-proofing. More and more devices are being sold with charging cables that connect using USB-C, and the less effective and more frustrating USB-A connector is becoming harder to find. Drivers who stay in the same vehicle for many years will be happy to have the right ports as time and technology march on.
Wireless Charging Available on All Trims
The 2024 NX already came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, allowing drivers to connect their smartphones to the infotainment system without any kind of USB cable. But in order to cut the cord completely, you need to have a way to wirelessly charge your phone as well. A wireless charging pad doesn’t come standard on the 2025 model, but it is now an available option on all grades of the NX. Other available tech upgrades include a 14-inch touchscreen (rather than the standard 9.8-inch display), a 10-inch head-up display that projects information directly onto the lower windshield, and a Digital Key, which lets you use your phone to lock, unlock, and start the SUV.
Additional Color Choices
Last but not least, there are two new color choices for drivers looking to get an SUV that matches their personal sense of style. The exterior paint color Copper Crest is available across the lineup. Metallic shades are popular, and copper is a nice choice for those who want something classic and not too flashy that is a little less ubiquitous than white, black, or silver. For those who prefer a pop of color, Redline, Nori Green Pearl, and Grecian Water blue are carrying over for the 2025 model year.
Just about any car, truck, or SUV will have a variety of exterior paint colors for you to choose from—we’ve come a long way since the days when Henry Ford reportedly said that his automobiles were available in “any color the customer wants, as long as it’s black.” However, not every model is available with the variety of interior styling options offered by the Lexus NX. Black, Rioja Red, and Palomino are available choices, with either leather or synthetic “NuLuxe” seats and accents on the glove compartment and center console matching the look. These colors can be paired with either stippled black trim, black prism trim, or open-pore wood trim. The new option added to the lineup this year is a little less customizable and is only available on the Luxury grade. Macadamia is the lightest shade in the lineup and pairs exclusively with the genuine leather seats and open-pore wood trim.
Minor Changes Add Up to Significant Upgrade
Do these changes make the 2025 NX significantly more compelling than the 2024 model? Arguably, yes. While many of the individual upgrades are small or only apply to some grades, taken together, they give the new model an edge over the outgoing one. The addition of USB-C outlets alone may make a big difference to a tech-savvy driver today and is likely to age well over the years to come. Drivers opting for the entry-level grade will be sure to appreciate the new standard safety and convenience features and the ability to add a wireless charging pad. While the addition of new exterior and interior colors is arguably mere fluff, they’re coming alongside some substantial upgrades that are worth keeping in mind when deciding whether or not to go for the new Lexus NX.
