Lexus NX vs Lexus RX
Verdict
These are not just different sizes of the same idea. The Lexus NX is the more technical choice, using a 2.5-litre petrol hybrid with two motors, yet its 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time is only a tenth behind the Lexus RX. The Lexus RX answers with a 2.4-litre turbo, 275 hp and 430 Nm, plus a longer 2,850 mm wheelbase and 612-litre boot. For a Malaysian buyer, the RM73,000 gap mainly buys space, torque, rear-seat kit and AVS, not a big step in straight-line pace.
NX
Pick the Lexus NX if you want hybrid hardware, similar 0-100 km/h pace and a smaller 4,660 mm body.
RX
Pick the Lexus RX if you want the bigger cabin, 612-litre boot, 430 Nm turbo engine and richer rear-seat equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Lexus RX RM468,888
- Engine output: Lexus NX 184 hp/221 Nm plus 133 hp/208 Nm motor output; Lexus RX 275 hp/430 Nm with no motor listed
- Acceleration: Lexus NX 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds; Lexus RX in 7.6 seconds
- Size: Lexus NX 4,660/1,865/1,670 mm; Lexus RX 4,890/1,920/1,695 mm
- Wheelbase and boot: Lexus NX 2,690 mm/520 litres; Lexus RX 2,850 mm/612 litres
- Fuel tank and road tax: Lexus NX 55 litres/RM830; Lexus RX 68 litres/RM754
NX
- Petrol hybrid setup with two motors and a lithium-ion battery
- Almost matches the Lexus RX to 100 km/h: 7.7 seconds versus 7.6 seconds
- Smaller and lighter: 4,660 mm long and 1,765 kg
- Much less engine torque: 221 Nm versus 430 Nm
- Smaller boot: 520 litres versus 612 litres
- Rear seats lack the Lexus RX's power folding/recline, 40:20:40 split, heating and ventilation
RX
- Strong turbo output: 275 hp and 430 Nm
- More space on paper: 2,850 mm wheelbase and 612-litre boot
- Adds AVS, 21-inch wheels and single-zone rear climate control
- RM73,000 dearer before insurance
- Heavier: 1,914 kg versus 1,765 kg
- No front or rear foglamps; the Lexus NX gets both
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 395,888✓ | RM 468,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 275 hp✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm | 430 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 11 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 7.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 68 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 612 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 3 LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Start | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key | Qi Wireless Charger |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 830 | RM 754✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
NX vs RX FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Lexus RX better?
The Lexus RX is better for space, torque and rear-seat comfort. The Lexus NX is the sharper buy if you want hybrid hardware and almost the same 0-100 km/h time for less money.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX costs RM468,888 and the Lexus NX costs RM395,888, so the Lexus RX is RM73,000 dearer before insurance.
Which has more boot space, the Lexus NX or Lexus RX?
The Lexus RX has the bigger boot at 612 litres. The Lexus NX has 520 litres, so the Lexus RX gives you an extra 92 litres for luggage.