Popular medium SUV hero returns: 2025 Lexus NX450h+ is back in stock with a cheaper price tag than German rivals and the electric range to match the BYD Sealion 6 and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Lexus has reopened order books for the NX450h+, the plug-in hybrid hero version of the brand’s most popular model in Australia.

Returning to dealerships in 2025, after orders were suspended back in March 2023 due to supply issues, the brand said it has fulfilled outstanding customer orders and shored up supply for well into 2025.

“We thank the many hundreds of customers who placed an order for their outstanding loyalty and patience, and also extend our thanks to those who showed interest in NX plug-in hybrid in the interim,” said Lexus Australia Chief Executive, John Pappas.

“The pause was to assist dealers in managing expectations and focus on providing a premium customer experience.

“We also worked extremely closely with our production teams in Japan to ensure we would have sufficient volume moving forward.”

Lexus also said it will announce next year when the plug-in hybrid version of the larger RX SUV – the brand’s second most popular model – would be made available.

Lexus NX450h+ (image: Tom White)

For 2025, pricing for the Lexus NX450+ will commence from $95,900, before on-road costs.

That’s $6600 less than a BMW X3 30e xDrive PHEV ($102,500) and $10,084 less than a Audi Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S line ($105,984), both of which are priced at before on-road costs. 

The Lexus carries a 2.5-litre petrol engine, which is mated to an 18.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack and twin electric motors for an all-wheel drive setup. Total power is quoted at 227kW, though no peak torque figure is given but is hefty in reality.

Lexus NX450h+ (image: Tom White)

Lexus claims a fuel consumption of 1.3-litre/100km, with an all-electric driving range of up to 87km according to the NEDC cycle, 4km less than the BMW but 32km more than the Audi.

Its solid electric range also puts it in the ballpark of Australia’s most popular plug-in models, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and BYD Sealion 6, which claim electric ranges of 84km and between 80 and 90km, respectively.

Lexus’ renewal of NX450+ plug-in hybrid stock comes as demand for the technology surges in Australia, with demand up some 100.4 per cent to 20,543 sales compared to the end of November last year.

Lexus NX450h+ (image: Tom White)

The NX recorded 5619 sales in that period, down from 6369 last year.