The 2027 Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid Gets a Bigger Battery and Fast Charging
The NX 450h+ now features a native NACS port, allowing for 10-80% DC fast charging in 35 minutes.
Lexus has updated the 2027 NX lineup with electrified powertrains exclusively, introducing a larger battery and DC fast-charging capabilities to the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid.
What Happened
The 2027 Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid receives a significant upgrade to its energy storage and charging infrastructure. The high-voltage battery capacity increases to 22.7 kilowatt-hours from the previous model's 18.1 kWh, enabling a manufacturer-estimated all-electric range of 45 miles, an eight-mile improvement over the outgoing version. Notably, the vehicle now includes a native NACS charging port, marking the first time the NX plug-in hybrid supports DC fast charging in North America. According to Lexus, the crossover can charge from 10% to 80% state of charge in 35 minutes using a 50-kilowatt DC fast charger. For home or public AC charging, a full charge from 10% to 100% takes two and a half hours via a 6.6 kW 240-volt charger.
Why It Matters
The addition of DC fast charging via NACS addresses a key limitation of previous plug-in hybrids, which often relied solely on slower AC charging. This update allows NX 450h+ owners to utilize Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, potentially reducing range anxiety and improving usability for longer trips. The powertrain improvements extend beyond charging; the combined system output rises to 324 horsepower, up from 304 hp in the 2026 model, primarily due to an increased front motor-generator output of 203 hp. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Meanwhile, the non-plug-in NX 350h hybrid sees a modest 4 hp increase to a total of 244 hp, with revised hybrid system tuning to emphasize electric motor torque. Pricing for the 2027 lineup has not yet been disclosed.
The Bottom Line
The 2027 Lexus NX 450h+ distinguishes itself with a larger battery, increased horsepower, and the introduction of NACS DC fast charging, while the gas-only NX variants have been discontinued in favor of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
