There’s something magical about driving a hybrid SUV through one of Germany’s most iconic alpine landscapes. The air thins. The road narrows. And the silence of the forest closes in like a soft curtain. That’s where the Lexus NX 350h and I found ourselves, ascending the winding routes around the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak. What better place to test this Japanese luxury SUV than a region that demands comfort, endurance, and precision?
The Lexus NX 350h is a car with a mission: to offer a different kind of premium SUV, one that doesn’t chase German rivals on their own turf but instead charts its own serene path. This hybrid SUV doesn’t shout about performance. It glides. It calms. And on the slopes of the Zugspitze, it felt like the perfect companion.
Lexus NX with Ideal Entry Height
Stepping into the NX is the first reminder that this is not your typical Germanic luxury experience. The doors swing wide with a gentle assurance, and the entry height, just under 60 centimeters from the ground to the seat base, is nearly perfect. Not too high to require climbing, not too low to crouch.
Up in the mountains, after hours of hiking and navigating rough trails, returning to the driver’s seat felt like lowering into a warm bath. The ergonomics are excellent: the seat offers just the right amount of support for tired backs, and the view out is commanding. My boots found the floor mat without effort, the soft touchpoints around the console absorbing the cold that had started to nip at my fingers.
And then there’s the cockpit, massive, sculpted, and bathed in soft-touch materials. Lexus doesn’t follow the spartan minimalism of some rivals. Instead, it envelops you. The 14-inch touchscreen is intuitive, and Lexus kept physical dials for volume and climate, something that felt oddly reassuring as I toggled through functions with gloves on. The haptic temperature controls even gave a sense of occasion to adjusting cabin warmth while snowflakes tapped on the windshield.
Average: Trunk of the Lexus SUV
The trunk space? Let’s call it good enough. With 545 liters available in standard setup, it swallowed our weekend luggage, two large bags, hiking gear, camera equipment, and a small cooler, with little drama. But with the rear seats up, it isn’t as cavernous as you might expect for a vehicle that stretches to 4.66 meters.
When we folded the back seats to load a bulky snowshoe case and tripod, space jumped to 1,436 liters. However, the high load sill and somewhat narrow aperture made maneuvering heavier items a bit tricky. That said, the power tailgate worked flawlessly in freezing temperatures, and Lexus even offers a foot-gesture option, though it’s not the most responsive.
If you’re the type of traveler who packs like a doomsday prepper, you may find the cargo area average. But for most weekend warriors or families, it does the job with quiet competence.
Lexus NX 350h Hybrid Review
The Lexus NX 350h isn’t here to win Nürburgring lap times. It’s here to make your daily drive, or mountain adventure, a little less taxing and a lot more refined. This 244-horsepower hybrid uses a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine paired with two electric motors. It’s a traditional full hybrid, no plugging in, no range anxiety.
Start it up, and nothing happens, visibly or audibly. The car just exists in silence. In town, it glides almost entirely on electric power, ghosting through narrow Zugspitze villages with almost no noise. It’s a surreal, calming sensation, especially when you’re used to traditional combustion clatter.
The transition to petrol power is seamless unless you ask for full throttle. Then the familiar CVT-style drone of revs spikes, and the hybrid powertrain gets vocal. It’s the one area where refinement takes a hit, but only briefly.
What struck me most about driving the NX around alpine roads was how unbothered it felt. Snow flurries? No problem. Steep inclines? All-wheel drive sorts it out. Traffic jams in Garmisch-Partenkirchen? Let the adaptive cruise handle it. This is a car that shrinks life’s little stressors.
Hybrid with Good Driving Performance
Despite its relaxed character, the NX has some real muscle. The 0-100 km/h sprint takes just 7.7 seconds, and it’s surprisingly quick from 60-100 km/h (5.1 seconds) and 80-120 km/h (6.1 seconds). Those numbers translate into confident highway merging and effortless overtaking on two-lane alpine roads.
One particularly memorable stretch of winding tarmac led up to a lookout point just shy of the Austrian border. With fresh powder on the sides and slick patches around every blind corner, the NX’s traction and torque vectoring from its E-Four all-wheel drive system delivered a drama-free climb.
Sure, it’s not engaging in the way a BMW X3 might be. The steering is light, bordering on synthetic, and the brake pedal feels like it’s wrapped in marshmallow. But again, the point here isn’t driving thrills, It’s composure. And the NX has that in spades.
In the city, the car dipped below 5.5 liters thanks to its electric running. On the highway, especially at German autobahn speeds, consumption rose to 9.0 liters, but that’s expected. Where the NX really shines is in mid-speed cruising and town traffic. For an all-wheel-drive SUV tipping the scales at nearly 1.9 tons, that’s deeply impressive.
Price: From 52,700 Euros for the Base
Now the tough part, price. The base front-wheel-drive NX 350h starts at €52,700. But our fully equipped Luxury Line AWD tester, with all the bells and Mark Levinson whistles, climbed to a hefty €71,950.
Is it worth it? If your priorities include peace of mind, a stress-free commute, and an interior that pampers like a spa, then yes. But if you seek dynamic brilliance, sharp cornering, or German badge prestige, the Lexus may feel a touch too left-field for the money.
Technical Specifications
All tech info comes right from Lexus official site so it’s accurate and trustworthy.
| Specification | Details |
| Model | Lexus NX 350h Luxury E-Four |
| Engine Type | Full Hybrid (2.5L gasoline + 2 e-motors) |
| System Power | 244 hp (179 kW) |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive (E-Four) |
| Transmission | Automatic (eCVT) |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h |
| Combined Fuel Consumption (WLTP) | 6.0 l/100 km |
| Real-World Test Consumption | 6.6 l/100 km |
| CO₂ Emissions (WLTP) | 135 g/km |
| Trunk Volume (Standard / Max) | 545 l / 1,436 l |
| Vehicle Weight (EU) | 1,865 kg |
| Towing Capacity (Braked) | 1,500 kg |
| Length x Width x Height | 4,660 mm x 1,865 mm x 1,670 mm |
| Base Price (Germany) | €52,700 (FWD) / €71,950 (Luxury Line AWD) |
| Warranty | 3 years or 100,000 km |
Conclusion
Driving the Lexus NX 350h on the Zugspitze felt like a soft-spoken conversation in a noisy world. It’s not here to impress with shouty stats or edgy dynamics. It’s here to soothe. It’s a car for those who value comfort over cornering, silence over showboating, and efficiency over ego.
And in that context, especially surrounded by the snow-draped stillness of Bavaria’s highest mountain, it makes perfect sense. The NX 350h is not for everyone. But for those who get it, it’s a deeply satisfying alternative to the usual German suspects.
Can the Lexus NX 350h run on electricity alone?
Yes, but only for short periods. As a full hybrid, it uses electric motors to drive the car at low speeds and assist during acceleration, but it cannot be plugged in like a plug-in hybrid.
Is the Lexus NX good for long-distance trips?
Absolutely. The comfortable seats, quiet cabin, and fuel efficiency make it ideal for long journeys. However, the trunk might feel a bit tight for families packing heavy.
How does the Lexus NX compare to the BMW X3 or Mercedes GLC?
The NX 350h prioritizes comfort, refinement, and hybrid efficiency over sporty dynamics. If you’re looking for something unique, quieter, and less conventional, the Lexus is a compelling alternative.
