2026 BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the NX — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–2 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($44,175 vs $49,500) and better 5-year value retention (54.4% vs 40.1%). Choose the X3 if you want the most power (393 hp vs 304 hp).
Scorecard: X3 2 pts · NX 5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 X3 | 2026 NX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $49,500 | $44,175 | NX |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 40.1% | 54.4% | NX |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 29 mpg | 40 mpg | NX |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 393 hp | 304 hp | X3 |
| Max towing (1) | 4,850 lb | 2,000 lb | X3 |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 22.7 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | — | 5 | No data |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 3.4% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 14 | — | No data |
| Weighted points | 2 | 5 | NX |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the NX — 40 mpg vs 29 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the NX — $44,175 vs $49,500 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the NX — 54.4% vs 40.1% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the X3 — 4,850 lb vs 2,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The X3 starts at $49,500 and tops out at $64,100; the NX runs $44,175 to $62,830 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified NX buyers paid a median 3.4% off MSRP across 11 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 5.7% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- X3: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- NX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 X3 | 2026 NX | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $49,500 | $44,175 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $64,100 | $62,830 |
| Horsepower | 255–393 hp | 240–304 hp |
| Max torque | 428 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 27–29 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 24–40 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 4,850 lb | 2,000 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 22.7 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) X3 lists for a median $23,995 — 40.1% of today's median new price of $59,822. A 5-year-old (2021) NX lists for a median $28,998 — 54.4% of today's median new price of $53,276.
Shop both
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More on the BMW X3
More on the Lexus NX
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the X3 better than the NX?
On our data, no — the NX comes out ahead. Our pick: the NX — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–2 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($44,175 vs $49,500) and better 5-year value retention (54.4% vs 40.1%). Choose the X3 if you want the most power (393 hp vs 304 hp).
Which is more reliable, the X3 or the NX?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the X3 or the NX?
The NX: a 5-year-old example lists for 54.4% of the new price, versus 40.1% for the X3, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the X3 or the NX?
The NX starts lower: $44,175 vs $49,500 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the X3 or the NX?
The NX: up to 40 mpg combined vs 29 mpg for the X3 (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026 BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/bmw-x3-vs-lexus-nx, updated November 8, 2026.