Compare the2022 BMW X1VS 2021 Lexus NX Series

The BMW X1 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.

Compared to metal, the X1’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 X1 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X1 is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

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 X1 is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

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

The X1’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the NX Series’ (12 vs. 6 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X1 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 X1’s warranty.

The X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 more horsepower (228 vs. 194) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 199) than the NX 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X1 is faster than the Lexus NX Series:

On the EPA test cycle the X1 gets better mileage than the NX Series:

Both the X1 and the NX Series 300h have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All X1s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The X1 has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (16.1 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW X1 higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX Series (3 to 7). This means the X1 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX Series every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X1, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the NX Series.

The X1’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.

The X1’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 X1 stops much shorter than the NX Series:

The X1’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 X1’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the NX Series F Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X1 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the NX Series. The X1’s optional 19-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 X1 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.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .87 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the NX 300h AWD (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X1 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (7.2 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the X1 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The X1’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the NX 300 (7.2 vs. 6.9 inches).

The BMW X1 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the Lexus NX Series.

The X1 is 7.2 inches shorter than the NX Series, making the X1 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW X1 amounts to more than styling. The X1 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the NX Series (.34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X1 get better fuel mileage.

The X1 has 29.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (101.2 vs. 71.6).

The X1 has 3.7 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and .9 inches more rear legroom than the NX Series.

The front step up height for the X1 is 1.1 inches lower than the NX Series (17” vs. 18.1”). The X1’s rear step up height is .7 inches lower than the NX Series’ (17.3” vs. 18”).

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX Series with its rear seat up (27.1 vs. 17.7 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX Series with its rear seat folded (58.7 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X1 easier. The X1’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the NX Series’ liftover is 31.2 inches.

The X1 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 X1’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 X1’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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW X1 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The X1’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The NX Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the X1 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X1 with a number “3” insurance rate while the NX Series is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X1 is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $654 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the X1 than the NX Series, including $39 less for fuel injection and $15 less for a timing belt/chain.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its September 2016 issue and the BMW X1 xDrive28i won out over the Lexus NX 300 F Sport AWD.

The X1 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 5 years. The NX Series has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.