Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Lexus NX vs Lexus RX

What's the difference?

VS
Lexus NX
Lexus NX

$57,888 - $109,888

2023 price

Lexus RX
Lexus RX

$92,990 - $113,990

2023 price

Summary

2023 Lexus NX
2023 Lexus RX
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.5L

Inline 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
6.9L/100km (combined)

5.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Driver-assist tech could use some Aussie road tuning
  • Hard to tell apart from previous design
  • NX 250 engine needs the open road to truly shine

  • Base RX is now $15,000 more expensive
  • Infuriating and confusing capacitive-touch cruise-control
  • Some road noise intrusion
2023 Lexus NX Summary

As far as clichés go, attempting to make “a silk purse from a sow’s ear” couldn’t be more apt than when contemplating the original NX of 2014.

What was essentially the Lexus-fication of the vocal, fidgety and thirsty old Toyota RAV4 may have worked a treat sales-wise, but proved trickier when assessed against the lens of a BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 rival.

The earliest NX just wasn’t refined enough.

This was especially true following the reborn RAV4 arrival in 2019, proving to be embarrassingly more competent – even compared to most luxury midsized SUV alternatives.

Now, finally, the NX redesign has followed suit, moving on to a variation of the Toyota’s stronger, quieter and more advanced TNGA architecture (dubbed GA-K) as a starting base.

Speaking of which, let’s dive straight into the least-expensive version, the NX 250 Luxury 2WD auto, to find out if the most popular Lexus model in Australia has finally found its mojo.

View full pricing & specs
2023 Lexus RX Summary

Let's face it. Previous Lexus RXs – and there've been three whole generations since 2003 in Australia and an earlier one (from 1998) if you're reading this from abroad – have always felt a little bit like, well, Toyota Klugers in drag.

Lacking sufficient charisma and talent, none really possessed the appropriate dynamics, sophistication or comfort to effectively take on rivals like the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Volvo XC90.

At least Lexus had the uniqueness and nerve to release a hybrid version way back in 2006 in the pioneering 400h. Remember that?

Now, there's an all-new RX, and it's had quite the transformation. But is it any good? Let's find out.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2023 Lexus NX 2023 Lexus RX

Change vehicle