2026–27 Lexus NX vs Lexus RX: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the RX — it leads our weighted scorecard 4.5–4.5 across 8 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (58.3% vs 54.4%) and more available power (366 hp vs 304 hp). Choose the NX if the lower sticker matters most ($44,175 vs $53,900 to start).
Scorecard: NX 4.5 pts · RX 4.5 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 NX | 2027 RX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $44,175 | $53,900 | NX |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 54.4% | 58.3% | RX |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 40 mpg | 36 mpg | NX |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 304 hp | 366 hp | RX |
| Max towing (1) | 2,000 lb | 3,500 lb | RX |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 22.7 cu ft | 29.6 cu ft | RX |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 3.4% off MSRP | 2.8% off MSRP | NX |
| Weighted points | 4.5 | 4.5 | RX |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the NX — 40 mpg vs 36 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the RX — 29.6 cu ft vs 22.7 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the NX — $44,175 vs $53,900 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the RX — 58.3% vs 54.4% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the RX — 3,500 lb vs 2,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The NX starts at $44,175 and tops out at $62,830; the RX runs $53,900 to $71,960 (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. Verified RX buyers paid a median 2.8% off MSRP across 26 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 4.9% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- NX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- RX: 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 NX | 2027 RX | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $44,175 | $53,900 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $62,830 | $71,960 |
| Horsepower | 240–304 hp | 246–366 hp |
| Max torque | 317 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 24–40 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 24–36 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 2,000 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 22.7 cu ft | 29.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| NX | RX | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5 in | 192.5 in |
| Width | 73.4 in | 75.6 in |
| Height | 66.1 in | 67.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in | 112.2 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) NX lists for a median $28,998 — 54.4% of today's median new price of $53,276. A 5-year-old (2021) RX lists for a median $35,900 — 58.3% of today's median new price of $61,612.
Shop both
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More on the Lexus NX
More on the Lexus RX
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the NX better than the RX?
On our data, no — the RX comes out ahead. Our pick: the RX — it leads our weighted scorecard 4.5–4.5 across 8 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (58.3% vs 54.4%) and more available power (366 hp vs 304 hp). Choose the NX if the lower sticker matters most ($44,175 vs $53,900 to start).
Which is more reliable, the NX or the RX?
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 NX or the RX?
The RX: a 5-year-old example lists for 58.3% of the new price, versus 54.4% for the NX, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the NX or the RX?
The NX starts lower: $44,175 vs $53,900 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 3.4% off MSRP on the NX (11 deals) and 2.8% on the RX (26 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the NX or the RX?
The NX: up to 40 mpg combined vs 36 mpg for the RX (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, "2026–27 Lexus NX vs Lexus RX: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/lexus-nx-vs-lexus-rx, updated November 8, 2026.