Compare the2022 Honda CR-V HybridVS 2022 Lexus NX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CR-V Hybrid. But it costs extra on the NX.

Both the CR-V Hybrid and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CR-V Hybrid the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 137 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The NX has not been tested, yet.

There are over 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CR-V Hybrid’s warranty.

The CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 9 more horsepower (212 vs. 203) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (232 vs. 184) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V Hybrid gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda CR-V Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The NX 350 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The NX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The CR-V Hybrid stops much shorter than the NX:

The CR-V Hybrid Touring handles at .81 G’s, while the NX 450h AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CR-V Hybrid Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 450h AWD (28 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

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

For greater off-road capability the CR-V Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX (8.2 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the CR-V Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the CR-V Hybrid 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 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-V Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The NX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The CR-V Hybrid has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (33.2 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (68.7 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V Hybrid easier. The CR-V Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the NX’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The CR-V Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the NX’s in almost every dimension:

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda CR-V Hybrid will be $4722 to $10205 less than for the Lexus NX.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda CR-V Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The NX has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The NX has never been chosen.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Lexus NX by over five to one during the 2021 model year.