Verdict
The Lexus NX costs RM395,888, RM10,916 above the Touareg, yet its annual road tax is RM830 against RM1,632. Its 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid system has a 184 hp engine and two motors, while the Touareg’s 3.0-litre turbo petrol makes 335 hp and 450 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds versus 7.7 seconds. The Volkswagen is the more useful family SUV with an 810-litre boot, 2,984 mm wheelbase and air suspension. The NX is 218 mm shorter and 119 mm narrower, which matters in tight Malaysian parking bays.
Pick the Lexus NX if you want lower annual road tax, a 4,660 mm-long SUV and equipment including ventilated front seats and a head-up display.
Pick the Volkswagen Touareg if you need 335 hp, a much larger 810-litre boot and the added comfort hardware of air suspension.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Volkswagen Touareg RM384,972.
- Annual road tax: Lexus NX RM830; Volkswagen Touareg RM1,632.
- Output: Lexus NX 184 hp and 221 Nm; Volkswagen Touareg 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- Performance: Lexus NX 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and 200 km/h; Volkswagen Touareg 6.0 seconds and 250 km/h.
- Size and luggage space: Lexus NX 4,660 mm long with a 520-litre boot; Volkswagen Touareg 4,878 mm long with an 810-litre boot.
- Fuel tank: Lexus NX 55 litres; Volkswagen Touareg 90 litres.
NX
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM1,632.
- Two electric motors, rated at 133 hp and 208 Nm.
- Ventilated front seats and a head-up display.
- 184 hp and 221 Nm trail the Touareg’s 335 hp and 450 Nm.
- 520-litre boot is 290 litres smaller.
- No air suspension or night vision.
Touareg
- 335 hp, 450 Nm and a 6.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 810-litre boot and 2,984 mm wheelbase.
- Multi-link air suspension and night vision.
- Annual road tax is RM802 higher.
- At 4,878 mm long and 1,984 mm wide, it needs more room than the NX.
- No listed head-up display or ventilated front seats.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888 | RM384,972✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830✓ | RM1,632 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 2,995 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp | 335 hp✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm | 450 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 87.5 mm | 84.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 10.8 |
| Number of Motors | 2 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 133 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 208 Nm | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-Speed Direct Shift | 8-speed Automatic |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 250 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,878 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,984 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,702 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,984 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 90 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 810 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 285/45R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 285/45R20 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 20" Braga Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Air Suspension |
| 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 | Electronic for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | All Seats |
| Night Vision | — | Yes |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 3 LED Projectors | HD Matrix LED Headlights |
| 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 | 12-Way Power-Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 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 | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 3 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Manual rear window blinds |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 15" Innovision Cockpit with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Dynaudio Consequence Sound System (730-Watts) |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot |
| 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 Camera |
| 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 |
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 & Touareg for sale
NX vs Touareg FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Volkswagen Touareg better?
The Touareg is better for outright performance, boot capacity and a longer 2,984 mm wheelbase. The NX makes more sense if lower RM830 annual road tax, smaller exterior dimensions and ventilated seats matter more.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX is RM10,916 more expensive than the Volkswagen Touareg: RM395,888 versus RM384,972.
Which is easier to park in Malaysia?
The Lexus NX is easier to place in tighter spaces. It is 4,660 mm long and 1,865 mm wide, compared with the Touareg’s 4,878 mm length and 1,984 mm width.