Verdict
At RM287,199, the Lexus NX 1st Gen is RM108,689 cheaper than the RM395,888 Lexus NX AZ20, yet its 235 hp, 350 Nm turbo four and 7.1-second 0-100 km/h time beat the newer hybrid’s 184 hp, 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds. It also carries 30 litres more boot space. The AZ20 answers with a longer 2,690-mm wheelbase, far more driver assistance and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, but its RM830 annual road tax is RM391 higher. Choose the newer car for its equipment and warranty, not outright pace.
1st Gen
Pick the Lexus NX 1st Gen if you want the RM108,689 saving, stronger 235 hp/350 Nm performance and a 550-litre boot.
AZ20
Pick the Lexus NX AZ20 if you want autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, a 14-inch screen and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty cover.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX 1st Gen RM287,199; Lexus NX AZ20 RM395,888.
- Performance: Lexus NX 1st Gen 235 hp, 350 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds; Lexus NX AZ20 184 hp, 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds.
- Powertrain: Lexus NX 1st Gen has a 1,998 cc turbo petrol engine and six-speed automatic; Lexus NX AZ20 has a 2,487 cc naturally aspirated hybrid with two…
- Size and luggage: Lexus NX 1st Gen is 4,630 mm long with a 2,660-mm wheelbase and 550-litre boot; Lexus NX AZ20 is 4,660 mm, 2,690 mm and 520 litres.
- Safety assistance: Lexus NX 1st Gen has 8 airbags but no autonomous braking or blind-spot monitoring; Lexus NX AZ20 has 7 airbags, autonomous braking and…
- Warranty and road tax: Lexus NX 1st Gen has a three-year/100,000-km warranty and RM439 yearly road tax; Lexus NX AZ20 has five-year/unlimited-mileage cover and…
1st Gen
- RM108,689 lower purchase price.
- Quicker 7.1-second 0-100 km/h time with 350 Nm.
- Larger 550-litre boot and eight airbags.
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, collision warning or steering lane correction.
- Three-year/100,000-km warranty versus five years with unlimited mileage.
- 7-inch audio screen and eight speakers versus a 14-inch screen and 10 speakers.
AZ20
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- 14-inch touchscreen, panoramic-view camera, head-up display and ventilated front seats.
- RM108,689 higher price and RM391 higher annual road tax.
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time despite its hybrid assistance.
- 520-litre boot is 30 litres smaller.
| 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 at 4,800 rpm✓ | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,650 rpm✓ | 221 Nm at 4,300 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 86 mm | 87.5 mm × 103.4 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 | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Passenger Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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, with active safety systems, adaptive cruise control, a larger infotainment screen and longer warranty. The Lexus NX 1st Gen is the better choice for lower outlay, quicker acceleration and more boot space.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX AZ20 costs RM108,689 more than the Lexus NX 1st Gen. Its annual road tax is also RM391 higher, at RM830 versus RM439.
Which Lexus NX has more luggage space?
The Lexus NX 1st Gen has the larger boot at 550 litres. The Lexus NX AZ20 has 520 litres, a 30-litre deficit despite its 30-mm longer wheelbase.
