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Lexus NX vs Toyota RAV4 comparison

Compare performance (292 HP vs 309 HP), boot space and price (46,000 £ vs 37,700 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Lexus NX or Toyota RAV4?

Lexus NX vs Toyota RAV4: Key differences

Lexus NX

4.8 (13 Reviews)
rate
  • only slightly more trunk space
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Toyota RAV4

4.8 (10 Reviews)
rate
  • clearly cheaper
  • very slightly more power
  • substantially more efficient
  • considerably more electric range
  • a bit quicker 0–100 km/h
  • very slightly lighter
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

NX

Lexus NX vs Toyota RAV4: the real-world difference

The Lexus NX and Toyota RAV4 aim at the same hybrid-SUV sweet spot, yet they feel very different once you live with them. The Lexus NX leans into calmness and polish, while the Toyota RAV4 majors on space, simplicity and easy efficiency. This Lexus NX VS Toyota RAV4 comparison focuses on how they fit your routine: comfort, usability, long trips, city manners, and perceived quality. Both are relaxing, but they relax you in distinct ways. Your priorities will decide which one makes your days easier.

RAV4

Cabin feel and perceived quality

Open the door of the Lexus NX and you’re greeted by soft-touch materials, tight panel gaps and a hushed, premium vibe. The Toyota RAV4 feels sturdier than plush, with a straightforward layout that’s easy to use but less convincing if you crave a luxury ambience. Seats in the Lexus NX are shaped for long-haul support and the touchpoints feel carefully crafted, reinforcing its upmarket character. The RAV4 counters with logical ergonomics and durability that shrugs off family life, even if some plastics look utilitarian. If you want a cocoon that feels special, the Lexus NX suits; if you value robust honesty over frills, the Toyota RAV4 fits better.

NX

Space and everyday practicality

The Toyota RAV4 offers generous rear legroom and a wide-opening back door that makes child seats and tall passengers a non-event. Its luggage area is broad and easy to load in Hybrid form, while Plug-in versions trade a bit of boot depth for the battery. The Lexus NX has useful underfloor storage and a square shape, but real-world cargo room feels tighter and the small rear window makes reversing more camera-dependent. In the back, the NX is comfortable for two adults, with the middle perch best kept for shorter trips. Families juggling buggies and sports kit will find the RAV4 less fussy, while the NX suits couples or smaller families who pack with intent.

RAV4

Comfort and driving character

The Lexus NX is tuned for serenity: it settles into a quiet cruise with excellent isolation and a gentle, measured demeanor. Ask for a burst of speed and you’ll hear the familiar hybrid flare, but the overall impression remains calm and composed. The Toyota RAV4 feels similarly relaxed, with light steering and predictable responses that make it stress-free around town and steady on the motorway. It can feel a touch punchier when you floor it, trading a bit more noise for get-up-and-go. Neither chases sportiness, but the NX skews toward silkiness, while the RAV4 prioritizes ease and confidence.

NX

Efficiency and ownership costs

If running costs guide your choice, the Toyota RAV4 tends to sip less fuel in mixed driving and gets more out of its electric side in Plug-in guise. The Lexus NX is genuinely efficient too, especially if you plug in regularly, but it rewards a gentler driving style to keep the drivetrain hushed. Up front, the RAV4 usually asks for less cash, whereas the NX carries a premium for its refinement and finish. Both brands have strong reliability reputations; Lexus adds the appeal of extended warranty coverage with dealer servicing and high perceived longevity. Choose the RAV4 to minimize total outlay and fuel spend, or the NX if you’ll pay more for refinement without anxiety about long-term costs.

RAV4

Who each car suits best

The Lexus NX is for drivers who value quiet sophistication, do long stints at steady speeds, and want a cabin that still feels special on a Tuesday commute. It’s also a smart pick for Plug-in users who can charge at home or work and want premium polish without learning curves. The Toyota RAV4 suits families who need real space, easy visibility, and hybrid efficiency that just works—even if charging isn’t part of life. It feels built for errands, school runs and holidays, with minimal faff and maximum usefulness. If your shortlist comes down to Lexus NX VS Toyota RAV4, the next step is deciding whether premium serenity or pragmatic efficiency matters more to you before diving into the technical comparison.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

NX

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

Toyota RAV4 is clearly cheaper – starting at 37,700 £ , while the Lexus NX costs 46,000 £ . That’s a price difference of around 8,323 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Toyota RAV4 uses 1.3 L/100km and is substantially more efficient than the Lexus NX with 2.9 L/100km. The difference is about 1.6 L/100km.

As for electric range, the Toyota RAV4 offers considerably more range – reaching up to 137 km, about 65 km more than the Lexus NX.

RAV4

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Toyota RAV4 offers very slightly more power – delivering 309 HP compared to 292 HP. That’s roughly 17 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Toyota RAV4 is a bit quicker – completing the sprint in 5.8 s, while the Lexus NX takes 6.4 s. That’s about 0.6 s quicker.

NX

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Toyota RAV4 is very slightly lighter – 1,655 kg compared to 1,805 kg. The difference is around 150 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Lexus NX offers only slightly more boot space – 545 L compared to 514 L. That’s a difference of about 31 L.

When it comes to payload, the Toyota RAV4 carries slightly more – 610 kg compared to 515 kg. That’s a difference of about 95 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Toyota RAV4 is far ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £37,700
RAV4

Toyota RAV4

  • Engine Type Full Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 185 - 309 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 1.3 - 5.3 L/100km
  • Electric Range 133 - 137 km
Lexus NX
Toyota RAV4

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Lexus NX

The Lexus NX wraps striking, chiseled styling around a cabin that feels more crafted living room than utility vehicle, with soft materials and user-friendly tech that give it genuine premium cachet. On the road it's composed and quietly confident, trading sporty pretensions for a refined, easygoing personality that will suit buyers who want luxury without fuss — with a little Lexus flair to make daily commutes feel special.

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Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a well-rounded compact SUV that pairs everyday practicality with a comfortable, composed ride and generous cargo space, making it a sensible choice for families and active lifestyles. Its strong reputation for reliability, efficient drivetrains, and straightforward technology gives it wide appeal whether you value economy, comfort, or capability.

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Lexus NX
Toyota RAV4

Costs and Consumption

Price
46,000 - 63,400 £
Price
37,700 - 54,200 £
Consumption L/100km
2.9 - 5.9 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.3 - 5.3 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
72 km
Electric Range
133 - 137 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
65 - 134 g/km
co2
30 - 121 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,805 - 2,065 kg
Curb weight
1,655 - 1,960 kg
Trunk capacity
545 L
Trunk capacity
446 - 514 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,865 mm
Width
1,880 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
475 - 515 kg
Payload
515 - 610 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Full Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Full Hybrid, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Transmission Detail
CVT
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
200 - 292 HP
Power HP
185 - 309 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.4 - 8.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.8 - 8 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
-
Torque
-
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
147 - 215 kW
Power kW
136 - 227 kW
Engine capacity
2,487 cm3
Engine capacity
2,487 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
C, D, B
Brand
Lexus
Brand
Toyota
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.