LEXUS NX VS RX

2022 Lexus NX vs RX: Trim Levels

The first thing you tend to think about when imagining your dream car is what features you want on it. That tends to be determined by your trim level, the higher the trim level, the more features you’ll have already packaged in.

Both the NX and RX have several trim levels to choose from:

In addition to these standard trim levels, the RX offers “L” trims as well. These trims are the same as their standard counterparts, but add a third row of seating. This is great if you have a hectic carpool that needs a little extra room, or you like to spend your weekends relaxing off the grid in the woods.

2022 Lexus NX vs RX: Performance Specs

Lexus is known for creating refined driving machines sure to make running errands or tackling your commute as enjoyable as possible. The 2022 NX and the RX are no different since each model offers a supreme blend of power.

The Lexus NX will awaken even your early Monday morning rides with one of the following engines:

• 2.5L Inline 4-Cylinder Engine with 203 Horsepower
• 2.4L Turbo Inline 4-Cylinder Engine with 275 horsepower

If you want to kick it up a notch for a more aggressive drive with spirited acceleration, opt for either of the powertrains in the Lexus RX:

• 3.5L V6 Engine with 295 Horsepower
• 3.5L V6 Engine with 308 Horsepower

The answer to which of these SUVs has the performance you crave relies in your specific needs since both models are clearly packed with power.

RX vs NX: MPG

In addition to looking at engine power, you also need to consider efficiency when choosing your next luxury SUV. With both the NX and the RX, you’ll be treated to impressive efficiencies designed to cut down on early-morning gas station stops:

If you really want to make the most out of your fuel tank, you’ll love what the NX has to offer. This SUV can be armed with a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with Lexus Hybrid Drive for an eco-friendly performance, earning an EPA-estimated 41 city/37 highway MPG.

Cabin Space Inside the NX vs RX

Despite the NX being a compact SUV and the RX being a midsize SUV, they each offer lots of room for five people. If you’re looking for a little extra passenger space overall, though, you may be interested in the RX:

Despite the added space in the 2022 Lexus RX, clearly the NX has ample room as well for every member of your family to stretch out and be comfortable.

Space for Your Essentials

Not only do you need plenty of room for you and your kids, but you’ll also want cargo space for everything from backpacks to groceries and weekend bags. The 2022 Lexus NX and the 2022 Lexus RX have flexible interiors, allowing you to configure the rear row to meet your needs. They offer up the following cargo measurements:

Despite having more passenger space, the RX has slightly less cargo room to offer. So, if you think you’ll need extra room for your daughter’s ice hockey bag, you’ll want to opt for the NX.

Even with their cargo measurement differences, these luxury SUVs are packed with amenities to make loading up easier and quicker. In both the RX and the NX, you have an available Power Rear Door with Kick Sensor. If you’re carrying a bunch of bags, just use a hand, elbow, or foot to raise the liftgate and gain access to your roomy cargo area.

RX vs NX: Interior Design

With the NX and the RX being luxury models, you’ll find refined cabins decked out in sumptuous fabrics and colors. Below you’ll see a chart comparing the interior colors available on both Lexus SUVs:

Both vehicles offer leather interiors, semi-aniline on the RX, but the standard on both is NuLuxe®. This synthetic leather is just as good as the real thing. Since the fabric is completely man-made, it’s vegan friendly, and has less of an impact on the environment than regular leather. It weighs less as well, which could positively impact your fuel economy.

RX vs NX: Comfort Amenities

Luxury means comfort, and both the NX and RX have several standard and available amenities designed to keep you comfortable on even the longest of journeys. Standard is dual-zone climate control, just in case you and your co-pilot can’t agree on a temperature. You can keep your driver’s side nice and toasty, while they remain pleasantly chill.

Available climate amenities also include:

• Heated Seats
• Ventilated Seats
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Tri-Zone Automatic Climate Control

Both luxury SUVs also offer ambient interior lighting to help match your drive to your mood. Have to get up early before the sun, choose a theme that mimics the sun rising to help you wake up. Dreary rainy days ahead? Choose a cheerful and bright theme to keep your mood up while you make it through the day.

The NX and RX also offer power adjustable seating, meaning with a push of a button you can customize just how you like it. If you’re sharing your Lexus with a partner or friend, consider a trim with the available Lexus Memory System.

This feature allows you and your partner to set separate profiles, so you can each set the driver’s seat how you like without resetting each feature individually every time.

Lexus NX vs Lexus RX: Technologies

Then, there are the technologies, which you’ll find an abundance of inside the 2022 Lexus NX and the RX. They both come standard with Bluetooth® technology, which makes it easy to stream audio or make hands-free phone calls. Also standard are the following integrations:

• Voice Command
• Apple CarPlay®
• Android Auto™

Just plug your compatible phone into the SUV’s USB port, and you can easily access your favorite apps on the display screen. If you wish to listen to podcasts, send text messages, or get directions to a new hot spot in town, you can do so without needing to touch your phone while driving.

This smartphone integration is paired to a central 8-inch Lexus Multimedia System, but if you want a more expansive screen, you can upgrade to a 12.3-inch screen in the RX. The NX, on the other hand, has a standard 9.8-inch screen with a 14-inch screen available for even easier viewing when on the unpredictable road.

Mark Levinson® Premium Surround Sound audio systems are available in these luxury SUVs as well to fully immerse you in crystal-clear quality sound. The RX system has 15 speakers while the NX bumps up to 17 speakers, but either way, every passenger can enjoy some favorite tunes.

Learn more about how these models stack up against others in our library of Lexus Comparisons.

Lexus NX vs RX: Safety Features

You don’t buy an SUV just for you, you buy an SUV because you have people you need to get places and you want them to get there safely. Luckily for you, both the Lexus NX and RX come with comprehensive Lexus safety suites. The RX come standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, while the NX comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0.

Here’s a chart that outlines the differences between the two systems:

Both suites will help keep you safe on your everyday commute as well as on longer trips. If you find yourself on the highways a lot, traveling between cities for work, or heading out of town for play, then you’ll be excited to know that both the RX and NX come standard with All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

This convenient feature allows you to set a speed and follow distance from the car in front of you. If the car in front of you slows down, then your Lexus SUV will slow down as well; when the car in front speeds up again, yours will seamlessly keep with the flow of traffic.

An additional perk to this feature on the NX is Curve Speed Management. This means that when your NX detects a curve in the road, it’ll automatically adjust your speed to make sure you make the turn safely.

You can also equip both vehicles with available Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert. This makes merging on the highway and backing out of crowded parking lots a breeze by alerting you if there’s a car in your blind spot or coming across behind you.