Lexus NX vs Toyota Fortuner
Verdict
The Lexus NX and Toyota Fortuner solve different Malaysian SUV problems. At RM395,888, the NX costs RM200,008 more, but it gets 184 hp, a 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time, AEB and a 520-litre boot in a five-seat compact executive package. The RM195,880 Fortuner is the harder-working choice on paper: seven seats, 400 Nm from its 2.4 diesel, an 80-litre tank and truck/4X4 positioning. It is taller and longer too, but gives up power and boot volume.
NX
Pick the Lexus NX if you want the quicker five-seat SUV, with 184 hp, 7.7-second 0-100 km/h performance, AEB and 520 litres of boot space.
Fortuner
Pick the Toyota Fortuner if you need seven seats, 400 Nm of diesel torque, an 80-litre fuel tank and a truck/4X4 SUV format.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Toyota Fortuner RM195,880
- Seats: Lexus NX 5; Toyota Fortuner 7
- Output: Lexus NX 184 hp and 221 Nm; Toyota Fortuner 148 hp and 400 Nm
- Boot space: Lexus NX 520 litres; Toyota Fortuner 200 litres
- Size: Lexus NX 4,660 mm long and 1,670 mm tall; Toyota Fortuner 4,795 mm long and 1,835 mm tall
- Fuel tank and road tax: Lexus NX 55 litres and RM830/year; Toyota Fortuner 80 litres and RM754/year
NX
- Quicker on paper with 184 hp and 7.7 seconds to 100 km/h
- Bigger 520-litre boot despite the smaller body
- AEB fitted, with seven airbags
- Costs RM200,008 more than the Fortuner
- Only five seats against the Fortuner’s seven
- 221 Nm is well short of the Fortuner’s 400 Nm
Fortuner
- Seven-seat cabin
- Strong 400 Nm diesel torque
- 80-litre fuel tank and lower RM754 annual road tax
- 148 hp trails the NX’s 184 hp
- Boot space is only 200 litres versus 520 litres
- AEB is not specified here; the NX has it
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 395,888 | RM 195,880✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Truck/4X4 |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Common-rail Direct Injection, Variable Geometry Turbocharger and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp✓ | 148 hp |
| Torque | 221 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Inline |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Diesel |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 15.6 |
| 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 | 6-speed Automatic with Sequential Shifter |
| Gears | 8 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Toyota |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,795 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,855 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,835 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,745 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 2,090 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 80 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres✓ | 200 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 265/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 265/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | Bridgestone Dueler A/T |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Ladder-frame |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-Link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Solid Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 7 airbags and stability control |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 4 stars — With 3 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Middle Row Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 3 LED Projectors | Halogen 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 | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding Middle Row with one-touch tumble, 50:50 Split-folding Last Row with one-touch space up |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents with Blower control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Middle Row, 1 Boot, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 4 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 6 Speakers |
| 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 | — |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Convenience Notes | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key | Qi Wireless Charger, Premium Solar and Security Tint, Front Digital Video Recorder |
| 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 Fortuner FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Toyota Fortuner better?
The Lexus NX is better for pace, boot space and listed safety kit. The Toyota Fortuner is better if you need seven seats, diesel torque and a truck/4X4 SUV format.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM395,888, while the Toyota Fortuner costs RM195,880. That makes the NX RM200,008 more expensive.
Which SUV is more practical?
It depends on the job. The Toyota Fortuner has seven seats and the larger body, but the Lexus NX has the bigger boot at 520 litres versus 200 litres.