Verdict
The RM34,000 step from the Lexus NX at RM395,888 to the Lexus RZ at RM429,888 changes the ownership brief rather than simply adding pace. The RZ’s 308 hp, 435 Nm electric motor output cuts 0-100 km/h to 5.3 seconds, 2.4 seconds ahead of the NX, and its RM335 annual road tax undercuts the hybrid’s RM830. It also brings a 71.4 kWh battery, 440 km range and 150 kW DC charging. The NX remains the more compact, 360 kg lighter choice, with a 200 km/h top speed and ventilated front seats.
Pick the Lexus NX if you want the RM34,000 lower entry price, petrol-hybrid flexibility, 200 km/h top speed and ventilated front seats in a shorter, lighter SUV.
Pick the Lexus RZ if you can charge regularly and want 440 km EV range, 150 kW DC charging, much stronger 308 hp and 435 Nm outputs, plus lower annual road tax.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Lexus RZ RM429,888.
- Performance: Lexus NX 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds; Lexus RZ in 5.3 seconds.
- Road tax: Lexus NX RM830 per year; Lexus RZ RM335 per year.
- Powertrain: Lexus NX has a 2,487 cc petrol-hybrid system with 184 hp and 221 Nm engine output; Lexus RZ has a 71.4 kWh battery, 308 hp and 435 Nm motor output.
- EV capability: Lexus NX has no stated EV range or charging rate; Lexus RZ has 440 km range, 11 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.
- Dimensions and mass: Lexus NX is 4,660 mm long and 1,765 kg; Lexus RZ is 4,805 mm long and 2,125 kg.
NX
- RM34,000 less expensive to buy.
- Ventilated 8-way power front seats.
- 360 kg lighter and 145 mm shorter than the RZ.
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time versus the RZ’s 5.3 seconds.
- Higher RM830 annual road tax versus RM335.
- Only four front and four rear parking sensors, against the RZ’s six at each end.
RZ
- 308 hp and 435 Nm motor output, with a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 440 km EV range, 11 kW AC and 150 kW DC charging.
- 10-way power front seats, auto parking and six parking sensors front and rear.
- Costs RM34,000 more than the NX.
- 360 kg heavier than the NX.
- No ventilated front seats or front foglamps, both fitted to the NX.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888✓ | RM429,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM335✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 400V architecture |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | — |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | — |
| Torque | 221 Nm | — |
| 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 | 435 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 71.4 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 440 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
Used NX & RZ for sale
NX vs RZ FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Lexus RZ better?
The Lexus RZ is better for buyers with dependable charging: it is quicker, has 440 km range, 150 kW DC charging and lower road tax. Choose the Lexus NX for a lower purchase price, a petrol-hybrid powertrain, ventilated seats and a smaller footprint.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RZ costs RM34,000 more than the Lexus NX: RM429,888 versus RM395,888. Its annual road tax is RM495 lower, at RM335 rather than RM830.
Which Lexus has more boot space?
The Lexus RZ has the marginally larger boot at 522 litres, just 2 litres ahead of the Lexus NX’s 520 litres. Both are five-seat SUVs with 60:40 split-folding rear seats.