Hybrid Lexus NX mixes fuel economy, performance

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- In the blizzard of alphanumeric names for motor vehicles, you can sometimes wonder what you're getting into.

Take the recently tested 2023 Lexus NX 450h+ Luxury sport-utility vehicle. So, what to make of that?

Let me break it down for you: A luxury-laden compact crossover SUV teaming a gas-fueled engine with a substantial electric power source.  And it's not just a hybrid but a plug-in hybrid. Oh, and there's all-wheel drive to boot.

Got that? Good, because this vehicle is an extraordinary piece of engineering, and it's priced well below similarly marvelous hybrid machines.

The tester was a near-perfect blend of fuel economy and performance, especially in the small SUV segment.

The NX 450h+ has a 36-mile range on electric power alone.  When the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and hybrid system work in concert, the combined equivalent is 84 miles per gallon. The same power sources do the zero-to-60-mph trip in only six seconds flat.

This translated to serious fun for me, pushing the hybrid hard on freeways and on uphill runs in the Sierra Nevada.  On city streets, the tester was as agile as a deer at full gallop.  I never felt like I was straining the power train.  If this had been a horse, I would tell you that it eagerly took to the trail.

I also had the bonus of a "Cadmium Orange" paint job, which turned heads in parking lots and even when I was in motion.

This being a "Luxury" model, my ride was stuffed with Lexus-level technology and spoil-me-rotten perks. The helpful, enjoyable features included a kick-sensor rear gate, a power/tilt/sliding moonroof, intuitive parking assist and thematic ambient illumination.  That last feature wows passengers as you effortlessly change interior colors and moods like a 21st century wizard.

Safety features are state-of-the-art and cover virtually every potential emergency, whether parked or on the fly.

The tester, which had a fair number of options, checked in at $62,780.  A quick comparative analysis of similarly equipped models told me that $70,000 would be a more likely starting price. So, right away, prospective buyers are ahead of the game.

And once played behind the wheel of this hybrid NX, the game is highly enjoyable.