Verdict
At RM395,888, the Lexus NX is RM73,000 cheaper yet reaches 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, only 0.1s behind the Lexus RX. Its 2.5-litre hybrid system uses two motors, while the RX’s 2.4-litre turbo produces a much stronger 275 hp and 430 Nm. The RM468,888 RX justifies much of its extra outlay with a 160-mm longer wheelbase and a 612-litre boot against 520 litres. For Malaysian family duty, its reclining, heated and ventilated rear seats plus rear climate control are meaningful gains.
NX
Pick the Lexus NX if you want the RM73,000 saving, hybrid power and a more compact 4,660-mm SUV without giving up all-wheel drive or a 14-inch touchscreen.
RX
Pick the Lexus RX if you need 275 hp and 430 Nm, a 612-litre boot and genuinely more accommodating rear-seat equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX RM395,888; Lexus RX RM468,888.
- Power and torque: Lexus NX 184 hp and 221 Nm; Lexus RX 275 hp and 430 Nm.
- Wheelbase: Lexus NX 2,690 mm; Lexus RX 2,850 mm.
- Boot space: Lexus NX 520 litres; Lexus RX 612 litres.
- Rear seating: Lexus NX 60:40 split-folding; Lexus RX power-folding and reclining 40:20:40 seats, heated and ventilated.
- Wheels: Lexus NX 20-inch alloys with 235/50R20 tyres; Lexus RX 21-inch alloys with 235/50R21 tyres.
NX
- RM73,000 lower purchase price
- 2.5-litre hybrid system with two motors
- Run-flat tyres and front and rear foglamps
- 184 hp and 221 Nm trail the RX’s 275 hp and 430 Nm
- 520-litre boot is 92 litres smaller
- Rear seats lack the RX’s recline, heating, ventilation and 40:20:40 split
RX
- 275 hp and 430 Nm turbocharged petrol engine
- 612-litre boot and 2,850-mm wheelbase
- Heated, ventilated and reclining rear seats with rear climate control
- Costs RM73,000 more
- No hybrid system
- Lacks the NX’s front and rear foglamps and run-flat tyres
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM395,888✓ | RM468,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM830 | RM754✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance | 16-valve DOHC Direct and Port injection with Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 2,487 cc | 2,393 cc |
| Horsepower | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm | 275 hp at 6,000 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 221 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 430 Nm at 1,700 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm | 87.5 mm × 99.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 14 | 11 |
| 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 Direct Shift |
| Gears | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 seconds | 7.6 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,660 mm | 4,890 mm |
| Width | 1,865 mm | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 1,670 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,690 mm | 2,850 mm |
| Weight | 1,765 kg | 1,914 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 55 litres | 68 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 612 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R20 | 235/50R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R20 | 235/50R21 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats | Bridgestone Alenza 001 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbone | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy | 21" Multi-spoke Alloy with Hyper Chrome Metallic Machined Finish |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 3 LED Projectors | Adaptive LED 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 | 10-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Heated and Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Power Folding and Recline, 40:20:40 Split-folding, Heated and Ventilated |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear | 1 Front 12-volt, 4 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers | 14" EMV Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Navigation, Voice Recognition, Wired Android Auto, Wireless Apple CarPlay and 12-speaker Lexus Premium 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 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 with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera and 3D Function |
| 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 | Qi Wireless Charger |
| 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 & RX for sale
NX vs RX FAQ
Is the Lexus NX or Lexus RX better?
The Lexus RX is better for rear-seat passengers, luggage capacity and outright torque, with 612 litres and 430 Nm. The Lexus NX is the smarter pick if the lower cost and hybrid drivetrain matter more than extra rear-seat luxury.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus RX costs RM73,000 more than the Lexus NX: RM468,888 versus RM395,888.
Which has the bigger boot, Lexus NX or Lexus RX?
The Lexus RX has the bigger boot at 612 litres, versus 520 litres in the Lexus NX. That is a 92-litre advantage for the RX.
