Verdict
The Lexus NX costs RM77,000 more at RM395,888, but for a Malaysian buyer that money buys a five-seat SUV with a 520-litre boot, all-wheel drive and a 2.5-litre hybrid system with two motors. The MINI Convertible is the quicker car on paper, reaching 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds versus 7.7 seconds, while its 204 hp and 300 Nm also exceed the Lexus petrol engine’s 184 hp and 221 Nm. But the MINI’s 215-litre boot, four seats and 44-litre tank make it the less practical second car.
Pick the Lexus NX if you need five seats, a 520-litre boot, all-wheel drive and hybrid assistance for daily family use.
Pick the MINI Convertible if you want the lower RM318,888 entry price and quicker 6.9-second 0-100 km/h performance in a compact four-seat convertible.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; MINI Convertible RM318,888.
- Performance: Lexus NX 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds; MINI Convertible in 6.9 seconds.
- Driveline: Lexus NX all-wheel drive; MINI Convertible front-wheel drive.
- Boot space: Lexus NX 520 litres; MINI Convertible 215 litres.
- Accommodation: Lexus NX five seats and five doors; MINI Convertible four seats and two doors.
- Annual road tax: Lexus NX RM830; MINI Convertible RM379.
NX
- Five seats, five doors and a 520-litre boot.
- All-wheel drive with a 2.5-litre hybrid system and two motors.
- Ventilated eight-way power front seats, rear air vents and steering lane-keeping correction.
- RM77,000 dearer to buy and RM451 more in annual road tax.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time: 7.7 seconds versus 6.9 seconds.
- Lexus petrol engine output is lower at 184 hp and 221 Nm versus 204 hp and 300 Nm.
Convertible
- RM318,888 price and RM379 annual road tax.
- Quicker 6.9-second 0-100 km/h run, with 204 hp and 300 Nm.
- Standard 360-degree view monitor, auto parking and Harman Kardon sound system.
- Only four seats, two doors and a 215-litre boot.
- Front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive.
- Manual front-seat adjustment and no rear air vents.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888 | RM318,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Convertible |
| Segment | Compact Executive | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM379✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 16 valve, DOHC, variable intake and exhaust cam timing, variable intake valve lift, twin-scroll turbo |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 204 hp✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm | 300 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | — |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 7-speed Steptronic Transmission |
| Gears | 8 | 7 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 6.9 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 237 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 3,879 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,744 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,431 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,495 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 44 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 215 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | Hankook Ventus s1 Evo 3 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | United Kingdom (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Front Passenger and Outer Two Rear Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 3 LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 50:50 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon 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 Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Active Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| 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 Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years |
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 & Convertible for sale
NX vs Convertible FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or MINI Convertible better?
The Lexus NX is better for carrying people and luggage, with five seats, five doors and a 520-litre boot. Choose the MINI Convertible for lower purchase and road-tax costs, plus quicker acceleration.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM395,888 and the MINI Convertible costs RM318,888, so the Lexus is RM77,000 more expensive.
Which is quicker, the Lexus NX or MINI Convertible?
The MINI Convertible is quicker, reaching 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. The Lexus NX takes 7.7 seconds, a difference of 0.8 seconds.