Verdict
The Lexus NX AZ20 costs RM108,689 more at RM395,888, and that money buys a hybrid-assisted 2.5-litre powertrain with two motors, 20-inch wheels and a far stronger driver-assistance and cabin specification. It is also 30 mm longer on a 30 mm longer wheelbase, though its 520-litre boot trails the 1st Gen’s 550 litres. The outgoing Lexus NX 1st Gen remains the sharper straight-line choice on paper: 235 hp, 350 Nm and 7.1 seconds to 100 km/h versus 184 hp, 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds. For a Malaysian used buyer, its lower RM439 annual road tax is another tangible saving against RM830.
Pick the Lexus NX 1st Gen if you want the RM287,199 entry point, 235 hp and 350 Nm turbo performance, a 550-litre boot and lower RM439 annual road tax.
Pick the Lexus NX AZ20 if you will pay RM395,888 for hybrid assistance, two motors, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, autonomous braking and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX 1st Gen RM287,199; Lexus NX AZ20 RM395,888.
- Power and torque: Lexus NX 1st Gen 235 hp and 350 Nm; Lexus NX AZ20 184 hp and 221 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus NX 1st Gen 7.1 seconds; Lexus NX AZ20 7.7 seconds.
- Wheelbase and boot: Lexus NX 1st Gen 2,660 mm and 550 litres; Lexus NX AZ20 2,690 mm and 520 litres.
- Wheels and tyres: Lexus NX 1st Gen 17-inch wheels with 225/65R17 tyres; Lexus NX AZ20 20-inch wheels with 235/50R20 run-flats.
- Warranty and road tax: Lexus NX 1st Gen three years/100,000 km and RM439 yearly; Lexus NX AZ20 five years/unlimited mileage and RM830 yearly.
1st Gen
- 235 hp and 350 Nm from the 2.0-litre turbo
- Quicker 7.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- 550-litre boot and RM439 annual road tax
- No autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring or lane-keeping steering correction
- Seven-inch audio system has eight speakers, versus the AZ20’s 14-inch unit with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 speakers
- Three-year/100,000 km warranty is shorter than five years with unlimited mileage
AZ20
- Hybrid-assisted 2.5-litre powertrain with two motors
- Autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go and panoramic-view camera
- Ventilated memory front seats, head-up display and powered contactless boot
- RM108,689 more expensive
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time with 184 hp and 221 Nm
- 520-litre boot is 30 litres smaller, while annual road tax is RM830 instead of RM439
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM287,199✓ | RM395,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 235 hp✓ | 184 hp |
| Torque | 350 Nm✓ | 221 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | 86 mm | 87.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 133 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 208 Nm✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed AT | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.1 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Co2 | 183 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,765 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 550 litres✓ | 520 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/65R17 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/65R17 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Yokohama Geolandar G91 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 17" 10-spoke Alloy | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" 10-spoke Alloy | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Passenger Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Halogen High Beam | 3 LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | Manual recline, 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (Touch Controls) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 7" Lexus Premium Audio with MP3 Player and 8 Speakers | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 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 Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive 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 |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Removable cubby lid with vanity mirror | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 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 cars for sale
1st Gen vs AZ20 FAQ
Is the Lexus NX 1st Gen or Lexus NX AZ20 better?
The Lexus NX AZ20 is better equipped for daily driving, with hybrid assistance, autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control and a longer warranty. The Lexus NX 1st Gen is the better performance-and-space buy on paper, with more power, more torque, quicker acceleration and a larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX AZ20 costs RM395,888 versus RM287,199 for the Lexus NX 1st Gen, a difference of RM108,689. The AZ20 adds hybrid hardware, substantially more safety assistance and higher-end cabin equipment, but it is slower to 100 km/h.
Which Lexus NX has lower running taxes?
The Lexus NX 1st Gen has the lower annual road tax at RM439, compared with RM830 for the Lexus NX AZ20. The AZ20 is hybrid-assisted, but no rated fuel-consumption figure is stated here, so a fuel-cost winner cannot be confirmed.
