Compare the2022 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2021 Lexus NX Series

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Crosstrek Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The NX Series doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid 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, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 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 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

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

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crosstrek Hybrid’s warranty.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The NX Series doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the NX Series:

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the NX Series:

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 17 miles, about 11 times as far as the NX 300h’s 1.6 mile range.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The NX 300 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX Series (3 to 7). This means the Crosstrek Hybrid produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX Series every 15,000 miles.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’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 Crosstrek Hybrid stops shorter than the NX Series:

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX Series’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the NX Series.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the NX Series’ (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek Hybrid has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 300h (8.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Crosstrek Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the NX 300 (8.7 vs. 6.9 inches).

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 450 pounds less than the Lexus NX Series.

The Crosstrek Hybrid is 6.2 inches shorter than the NX Series, making the Crosstrek Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Crosstrek 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 Series doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 29.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (100.7 vs. 71.6).

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, .1 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX Series.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX Series’ (1000 vs. 0 pounds).

The engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid 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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek Hybrid’s exterior PIN entry system. The NX Series doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’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.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and the Lexus NX Series, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Lexus NX Series by over two to one during the 2021 model year.