The Lexus NX is a compact SUV built from 2015 to 2026 over 3 generations. Most were assembled in Japan — 52.9% of those on record. Between 2015 and 2026 it grew 3 cm longer and gained -75 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the NX is
The Lexus NX is a compact SUV that Lexus built from 2015 to 2026 — 12 model years. Our measurements put it at 3 generations, the current one starting in 2026. It has been offered with 4-cyl, Hybrid power. Its closest siblings in the Lexus range: RX, RZ.
Where the NX is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 17 NXs on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JTJ | 2022-2022 | |
| Canada | 2T2 | 2022-2026 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Lexus VIN decide which of these 3 lines your NX belongs to. What every character in a NX VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Lexus NX adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
NX generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the NX's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the NX that gives 3 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-2020 | 463 cm | 266 cm | 1755 kg | - | - |
| 2023 | 462 cm | 269 cm | 1760 kg | -1 cm | +5 kg |
| 2026 | 466 cm | 269 cm | 1680 kg | +4 cm | -80 kg |
Between 2015 and 2026 the NX gained 3 cm in length (+0.6%) and -75 kg in weight (-4.3%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the NX that is -75 kg against 3 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Lexus NX tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment NX owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Lexus NX have? Power & range
The Lexus NX is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.4L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Lexus NX, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.4L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | AWD | Premium |
| Hybrid | 2.5L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Lexus NX tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Lexus NX is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your NX's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The NX by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Lexus NX. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | NX | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 33 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 16 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,297/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 511 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Lexus NX?
The NX is a compact SUV, built from 2015 to 2026 across 3 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid.
Where is the Lexus NX made?
Across 17 cars in our records the split is: Japan (52.9%), Canada (47.1%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the NX have?
3 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2026. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the NX grew 3 cm longer and gained -75 kg.
What is the Lexus NX warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 6 years / 70,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the NX reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific NX?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
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