2021 Lexus NX 300 review
Lexus NX 300 highlights
Customer rating
RepairPal reliability rating
(data not available)
Pros
- Quiet cabin at highway speeds
- Comfortable ride and seats
- Lots of standard high-tech driver aids
Cons
- Unintuitive infotainment interface
- Limited cargo space
Mileage (EPA estimate)
22 city, 27 highway, 24 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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Compact luxury for your whole crew
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 is a luxury SUV that boasts a smooth and quiet ride, as well as a stylish exterior. Thanks to its compact size, the NX 300 is well suited to driving on busy city streets. This SUV is also a good solution for long-distance trips, due to its comfortable and roomy interior and large cargo space. The NX 300 is available in three trims with plenty of tech features. The 2021 model comes standard with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 235 hp.
All Lexus NX 300 years
What is new for the 2021 Lexus NX 300?
- NX 300 trims have been upgraded with Power Hatch/Deck Lid and Android Auto as standard equipment this year.
- The F-Sport trim now comes with Blind Spot Monitor as standard equipment.
- The Base trim now comes with Blind Spot Monitor and Cruise Control as standard equipment.
- The Luxury trim now comes with Leatherette Seats as standard equipment.
2021 Lexus NX 300 trims
Curious how Lexus NX 300 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesNX 300:
Includes eight-speaker sound system, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more.
NX 300 F Sport:
Adds a sport steering wheel, sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, and sport exterior styling elements.
NX 300 Luxury:
Includes everything from the NX 300 trim, and adds built-in navigation, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and more.
5 reasons to buy the 2021 Lexus NX 300
1. Attractive exterior design
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 was made to stand out, with an aggressive and sporty exterior characterized by numerous sharp angles on the front and the rear end. Details like the large hourglass-shaped front grille and imposing wheel design — as well as the available power tilt-and-slide sunroof and triple-beam LED headlights — make the Lexus NX 300 attractive and eye-catching. You're sure to turn heads with this ride.
2. Refined and upscale interior
The attractive exterior design of the 2021 Lexus NX 300 is appropriately accompanied by an elegant and refined interior. The NX 300 comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, metal accents, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats, as well as a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. For enhanced comfort and convenience, the available Lexus memory system enables personalized settings for the driver seat, steering wheel position, and outside mirrors. Standard dual-zone climate control with interior air filter, smog sensor, and automatic recirculation mode tops off the classy and comfortable cabin of the Lexus NX 300.
3. Packed with technology
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 comes standard with tech features designed to improve handling on different terrains and enhance the riding experience. Driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning and mitigation, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert are all part of the standard equipment. Plus, the Lexus multimedia system comes with an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and an eight-speaker sound system that's bound to make every trip more enjoyable.
4. Exciting performance
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 offers enviable performance and a dynamic riding experience in a compact SUV. Thanks to the turbocharged engine, the NX 300 boasts quick acceleration, getting from 0 to 60 mph in seven seconds (according to the manufacturer, when new). Variable driver modes can make driving even more convenient, allowing you to shift between ECO, Normal, and Sport configurations to adjust the vehicle's responsiveness according to road conditions or your preferred driving style.
5. Plentiful interior room
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 is spacious enough for five passengers to ride comfortably, with 38.2 inches of headroom and 42.8 inches of legroom in the front row, and 38.1 inches of headroom and 36.1 inches of legroom in the second row. The NX 300 also features sufficient room for storing a couple of large suitcases for long trips, with 17.7 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second-row seats, expanding to 54.6 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2021 Lexus NX 300, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The Acura RDX is a compact luxury SUV with seating for five. Model years 2016–2018 come standard with a 279 hp, 3.5-L V6 engine paired with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is an available option. In 2019 Acura redesigned the RDX, swapping the V6 for a 272 hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Even in the base trim, the Acura RDX has standard leatherette seats for all model years.
2016–2021 Acura RDXs come with the following features:
279-horsepower V6 on model years 2016–2018; 272 hp turbo-four on model years 2019 and later
Standard seven-speaker audio system with USB and Bluetooth connections
Standard leatherette seats, heated in the front
The Toyota RAV4 is a small SUV with a quiet and spacious cabin. 2017–2021 models come with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine with FWD or AWD and a suspension system that's tuned for comfort. Whether heading to the rink or the campsite, you'll have space for gear with 38.4 cu-ft of volume in 2017–2018 models and 37.5 cubes in 2019–2021 RAV4s.
Standard features on the 2017–2019 RAV4 XLE include:
17-inch alloy wheels
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Blind-spot monitoring system (2019–2021)
The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 boasts a refined interior filled with convenience and entertainment features, as well as plenty of elegant design details. The 2017-2019 GLC 300 also offers an exciting riding experience, thanks to a capable powertrain and numerous features designed to enhance handling and improve performance. 2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 base models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 241 hp.
Notable standard features on the 2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 include:
18-inch wheels
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Automatic emergency braking
Seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Heated front seats
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Ratings & reliability
Lexus NX 300 features and specs
Base 2WD 4D Sport Utility
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- A/C Seat(s)
- Front Seat Heaters
- Full Roof Rack
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Mark Levinson Sound
- Memory Seat(s)
- Navigation System
- Parking Sensors
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Remote Start
- Running Boards
- Sunroof(s)
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
235
Torque (ft-lbs)
258
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
15.9
Wheelbase
104.7"
Overall length
182.7"
Width
73.6"
Height
64.8"
Leg room
F 42.8"/R 36.1"
Head room
F 38.2"/R 38.1"
Front tires
P225/65HR17
Rear tires
P225/65HR17
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
200/2000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2021 Lexus NX 300 FAQ
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- Base: 22 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- Luxury: 22 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
- F-Sport: 22 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
The 2021 Lexus NX 300 has a maximum towing capacity of 2000 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2021 Lexus NX 300:
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid
- Android Auto
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Leatherette Seats
More about the 2021 Lexus NX 300
Color options
Exterior colors:
Atomic Silver
Cadmium Orange
Caviar
Eminent White Pearl
Obsidian (NX 300 F Sport only)
Matador Red Mica
Nebula Gray Pearl
Nori Green Pearl
Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0
Interior details
Seating for five passengers
17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats; 54.6 cu ft with the seats folded down
Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability
Power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel
10-way power adjustable front seats
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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