Lexus NX vs Lexus RZ
Verdict
The Lexus NX is the cheaper petrol-hybrid SUV at RM395,888, while the Lexus RZ asks RM429,888 and goes fully electric. That extra money buys a much quicker 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time versus 7.7 seconds, 308 hp from two motors and a 440 km EV range from a 71.4 kWh battery. The NX counters with a 55-litre tank, higher 200 km/h top speed and ventilated front seats. For Malaysia, road tax also swings hard: RM830 for the NX, RM335 for the RZ.
NX
Pick the Lexus NX if you want a petrol-hybrid Lexus SUV with a 55-litre tank, ventilated front seats and the higher 200 km/h top speed.
RZ
Pick the Lexus RZ if you can run an EV and want stronger acceleration, 440 km of quoted range and more parking assistance.
Key differences
- Powertrain: NX has a 2,487 cc petrol-hybrid engine with two motors; RZ is electric with two motors and a 71.4 kWh battery
- Output: NX has 184 hp engine output and 133 hp motor output; RZ has 308 hp motor output
- Acceleration/top speed: NX does 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and 200 km/h; RZ does 5.3 seconds and 160 km/h
- Size: NX is 4,660 mm long with a 2,690 mm wheelbase; RZ is 4,805 mm long with a 2,850 mm wheelbase
- Weight/boot: NX is 1,765 kg with 520 litres; RZ is 2,125 kg with 522 litres
- Parking kit: NX gets 4 front and 4 rear sensors with no auto parking; RZ gets 6 front and 6 rear sensors with auto parking
NX
- Petrol-hybrid powertrain with a 55-litre tank
- Higher 200 km/h top speed
- Ventilated front seats and front foglamps
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Shorter 2,690 mm wheelbase
- Fewer parking sensors and no auto parking
RZ
- Quicker 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- 440 km EV range with 150 kW DC charging
- Longer 2,850 mm wheelbase and 522-litre boot
- Costs RM34,000 more
- Lower 160 km/h top speed
- No ventilated front seats or front foglamps listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 395,888✓ | RM 429,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | — |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | — |
| Torque | 221 Nm | — |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | — |
| Timing Type | Chain | — |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Electric |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp | 308 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion | Lithium-Ion |
| Battery Capacity | — | 71.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 440 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | — | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | — | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | — | 150 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | — |
| Gears | 8 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 5.3 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h✓ | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,805 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,895 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 2,125 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 522 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 20" Aluminium in Black and Bright 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) |
| 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 | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 3 LED Projectors | Bi-LED Projector with Adaptive High Beam and Sequential Indicators |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED with Sequential Indicators |
| 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 Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| 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 System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 3 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| 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 Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation (with Smart Card Key) |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and 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 | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | — | Yes |
| 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 | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year, unlimited mileage warranty on EV battery |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 830 | RM 335✓ |
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 RZ FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Lexus RZ better?
The RZ is better for performance and EV running, with 308 hp, 5.3-second acceleration and 440 km range. The NX is better if you want petrol-hybrid flexibility, a 55-litre tank, ventilated seats and a higher 200 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RZ costs RM34,000 more than the Lexus NX. It also has lower annual road tax at RM335 versus RM830 for the NX.
Which has more boot space?
The Lexus RZ has the slightly larger boot at 522 litres, against 520 litres in the Lexus NX. The difference is only 2 litres, so luggage space is effectively a draw.