Compare the2022 BMW X3VS 2021 Lexus NX Series

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The BMW X3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NX Series doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The X3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NX Series doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Compared to metal, the X3’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Lexus NX Series has a metal gas tank.

Both the X3 and the NX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

	X3	NX Series
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	102	209
Neck Injury Risk	21%	46%
Neck Stress	202 lbs.	509 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	116/280 lbs.	480/609 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	176	355
Neck Injury Risk	38%	42%
Neck Stress	139 lbs.	295 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	183/114 lbs.	442/307 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X3 is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

	X3	NX Series
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	192
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.6 inches
Hip Force	275 lbs.	352 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	133	317
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	49 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	15 inches
HIC	281	542
Hip Force	624 lbs.	828 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the NX Series’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the NX Series (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 43 percent more BMW dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the X3’s warranty.

Engine

The X3 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (248 vs. 194) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 199) than the NX 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X3 s/xDrive30i’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (248 vs. 235) than the NX 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 147 more horsepower (382 vs. 235) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 258) than the NX 300’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Lexus NX Series:

	X3	NX 300h	NX 300
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	8.3 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	16.3 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.5 MPH	84.5 MPH	90.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the NX 300 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder 6 speed Auto FWD (23 city/29 hwy vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the NX Series 300h.

Regardless of its engine, the X3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the NX Series 300h.

The X3’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X3 M40i’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series’ standard fuel tank (17.7 vs. 15.9 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X3 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX Series (3 to 7). This means the X3 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX Series every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the NX Series.

The X3 M40i’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The NX Series doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3 M40i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the NX Series:

	X3	X3 M40i	NX Series
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.5 inches	11.1 inches

The X3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the NX Series are solid, not vented.

The X3 stops much shorter than the NX Series:

	X3	NX Series
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the NX Series (245/50R19 vs. 225/65R17). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX Series (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/55R18).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX Series’ standard 65 series tires. The X3’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the NX Series F Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the NX Series. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the NX Series.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The NX Series doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 8.1 inches longer than on the NX Series (112.8 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the NX Series.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .85 G’s, while the NX 300 pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the NX 300h AWD (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X3’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the NX 300 (8 vs. 6.9 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the X3 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The NX Series doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X3 has 29.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (101.4 vs. 71.6).

The X3 has 2.9 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX Series.

Cargo Capacity

The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX Series with its rear seat up (28.7 vs. 17.7 cubic feet). The X3 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX Series with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X3 easier. The X3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the NX Series’ liftover is 31.2 inches.

Payload and Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX Series’ (4400 vs. 0 pounds).

The X3 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the NX Series (941 vs. 895 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X3 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the NX Series. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The NX Series doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X3’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NX Series’ power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The X3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The NX Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The NX Series doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the X3 and the NX Series offer optional heated front seats. The X3 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the NX Series.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X3 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The NX Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X3 is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $191 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the X3 than the NX Series, including $44 less for fuel injection and $243 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X3 and the Lexus NX Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW X3 outsold the Lexus NX Series by 10% during the 2021 model year.