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Lexus NX250 vs Toyota RAV4

What's the difference?

VS
Lexus NX250
Lexus NX250

$53,888 - $70,290

2023 price

Toyota RAV4
Toyota RAV4

$42,260 - $58,360

2025 price

Summary

2023 Lexus NX250
2025 Toyota RAV4
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

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Fuel Efficiency
6.9L/100km (combined)

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Seating
5

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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

  • Cabin noise is too loud for grade level
  • Simple cabin design won't be for everyone
  • About to be replaced by new-gen model
2023 Lexus NX250 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.

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Interested in a Lexus NX250?
2025 Toyota RAV4 Summary

Even though it’s expected to be superseded by a sixth-generation model next year, we're reviewing the fifth-gen Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser 2WD model to see if its hybrid powertrain and features still secures its position as top-selling medium SUV for families.

Aussies love mid-size SUVs in part because they're a tad more practical than their larger cousins, especially in the city.

You also have a better chance of fitting one inside your garage (unless you use your garage for storage, like me).

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Interested in a Toyota RAV4?

Deep dive comparison

2023 Lexus NX250 2025 Toyota RAV4

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