Why buy a Camry when you can drive a luxury hybrid SUV for the same price?

The popularity of hybrid cars is experiencing some strange trends in 2025. The segment is performing much better than the all-electric market, but we have seen a decline in sales on some key models, mainly due to increasingly higher starting prices. Hybrids remain a popular option as more and more new car consumers see them as a means to reduce their monthly fuel bills. Thanks to extensive developments in the field of electromobility, modern hybrids benefit from this best efficiency and reliability returns we’ve ever seen, making them exceptional long-term considerations for those looking for a reliable daily driver. Lexus has been at the forefront of hybrid technologies, thanks largely to Toyota’s gasoline-electric HEV-focused push. Due to the brand’s position in the premium and luxury segments, these are expensive vehicles to invest in in new condition.

If you enjoy shopping the used vehicle market, the 2020 Lexus NX300h is a great option to consider, with an average price range that’s lower than what you’d pay for an entry-level model 2026 Toyota Camry. The mid-size HEV SUV may be half a decade old, but it features a powertrain that the Toyota Group still uses on its models currently in production. Furthermore, this used premium hybrid SUV benefits from some of the best reliability ratings, without compromising on fuel economy, safety and an extensive standard specification list. It’s worth noting that you may find this model relatively outdated, as it is one of the last model years of the previous generation NX.

The 2020 Lexus NX 300h retails for around $24,000

That’s less than what you’d spend on a new Camry

According to JD powerthe Lexus 2020NX300h sells for somewhere in between $23,974 and$32,328depending on mileage, condition and specification. When new, Lexus started the price at $39,420, which reflects moderate value retention, especially for a mid-size HEV SUV operating in the luxury segment. The publication also gives the NX range an impressive consumer-verified overall score of 84/100, including 87/100 for quality and reliability, 77/100 for driving experience, 79/100 for resale and 88/100 for dealer experience.

According to Edmundsa 2020 Lexus NX 300h will cost you $45,610 to own over five years and 60,000 miles, including $7,591 in maintenance, $3,240 in repairs, $15,522 in depreciation and $7,788 in fuel. AutoEdge backs this up with its five-year ownership cost estimate of $56,393, of which $25,109 contributes to depreciation, $6,415 to fuel, and $2,534 to maintenance. Kelley Blue Book adds that the base model NX 300h has depreciated $12,424 or 33 percent over the past five years and has a current trade-in value of $24,444 and a trade-in value of $22,419. For reference, the base Toyota Camry currently starts at an MSRP of $29,000.

Impressive fuel economy and range estimates

Enjoy impressive savings without sacrificing luxury

The The Lexus NX 300h is a versatile HEV SUVespecially when it goes up against some of the most aggressive rivals in the segment, but it doesn’t quite benefit from the most attractive EPA fuel economy estimates. We should point out that they are impressive regardless. The premium SUV from Lexus returns a fuel economy estimate of 33/30/31 MPG in the city/highway/combined cycle and travels 459 miles on a single 14.8-gallon tank, with some help from a 0.9 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack.

The agency also estimates that you can save up to $750 on fuel over five years, based on the average American’s fuel bills. In a year, you can expect to spend $1,550 on fuel each year and $2.59 to drive 25 miles. A full tank of gas costs about $48. By modern standards, these are numbers are not that impressivebut they still translate into long-term savings, especially when you combine them with the low maintenance requirements the drivetrain will be subjected to.

Lexus fills the cabin with features

Both trims are very well equipped

The Lexus NX 300h is a well-equipped mid-size luxury HEV, with standard cabin features consisting of power-adjustable front seats, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a power-adjustable steering column, keyless entry and start, and a 4.2-inch TFT hybrid system display. The flagship Luxury trim includes perforated leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an electronic liftgate and an electronic sunroof.

For entertainment purposes, all Lexus NX models feature the previous generation’s 8-inch central dashboard display, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus pairs this with a standard eight-speaker audio system, but the Luxury model upgrades this to a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system, while navigation with a larger 10.3-inch screen is also included.

Equally impressive safety standards

On the safety front, all NX 300h models also come equipped with a rearview camera, forward collision avoidance and the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which includes lane departure warning, lane keep assist, pedestrian detection and traffic sign recognition. This earns the model a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, as well as a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

Lexus prioritizes efficiency over performance

The NX 300h is not made for speed freaks

The Lexus NX 300h series features the The Toyota Group’s naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder enginewhich separately produced 154 horsepower and 152 pound-feet. Two electric motors, producing 141 and 67 hp respectively, are mounted on the front and rear axles, resulting in a combined power of 194 hp to all four wheels via a direct-drive eCVT system.

According to the brand’s claims, you can expect this model to do a 0-62mph sprint in 9.1 seconds with a top speed of 112mph. It can also tow up to 1,500 pounds. The NHTSA lists no recalls for the NX 300h, highlighting how reliable a used HEV option is.

Industry-leading reliability standards keep you on the road

A major reason for the NX 300h’s class-leading reliability lies in the ICE’s design, and it’s something the Japanese company has perfected thanks to decades of over-engineering. The Toyota Group applies the A25A-FXS 2.5-liter four-cylinder Dynamic Force powertrain to most of its mid-size HEV derivatives, demonstrating its impressive and efficient versatility. The brand introduced the new powertrain in its range for the Camry of the XV70 generation when it launched in 2017. Key features include a dual direct injection system and a port injection EFI system to reduce carbon build-up.

Reliability is improved and thermal efficiency reduced to just 41 percent thanks to the longer stroke design, together with a greater angle between the intake and exhaust valves, a high-efficiency intake port with a laser-coated valve seat and a high compression ratio of 14.0:1. Toyota’s decision to forgo a conventional transmission and stick with a direct-drive eCVT unit further improves the car’s reliability as it reduces the number of moving parts that require routine maintenance.

In the event of potential defects, Lexus covered all new NX 300h models with a bumper-to-bumper warranty of 36 months or 60,000 kilometers. However, the 60-month, 100,000-mile powertrain and the 120-month, 150,000-mile powertrain really translate into the brand’s confidence in its hybrid system, the former of which is still active.

Source: Edmunds, JD power, AutoEdge, Kelley Blue Bookthe IIHSAnd the EPA