Compare the2022 BMW X1VS 2022 Lexus NX

Both the X1 and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X1 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 175 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The NX has not been tested, yet.

The X1’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the NX’s (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 (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 25 more horsepower (228 vs. 203) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 184) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

On the EPA test cycle the X1 xDrive28i xDrive gets better fuel mileage than the NX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder 8 speed Auto AWD running its gasoline engine (23 city/31 hwy vs. 22 city/29 hwy).

Both the X1 and the NX 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 NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The X1 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (16.1 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 doesn’t offer launch control.

The X1 stops shorter than the NX:

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’s standard 60 series tires. The X1’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

The X1 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The X1 xDrive28i handles at .85 G’s, while the NX 450h AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X1 xDrive28i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the NX 450h AWD (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the X1’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the NX’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The X1 is 8 inches shorter than the NX, 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 (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the X1 get better fuel mileage.

The X1 has 3.6 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (27.1 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The X1 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (58.7 vs. 46.9 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’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The power windows standard on both the X1 and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X1 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Insurance will cost less for the X1 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the X1 will cost $140 less than the NX over a five-year period.

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