Compare the2022 Toyota VenzaVS 2022 Lexus NX

The Venza has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NX 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.

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

Both the Venza and the NX 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

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 “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Venza 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.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Venza for 1 year and 15000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the NX (2/25000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Venza’s warranty.

The battery on the Venza is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Venza’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The NX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Lexus is ranked third.

The Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 16 more horsepower (219 vs. 203) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Venza gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

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

The Venza stops much shorter than the NX:

The Venza has a standard 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 Venza Limited handles at .80 G’s, while the NX 450h AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Venza Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 450h AWD (27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Venza LE’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the NX’s (36.1 feet vs. 38 feet). The Venza XLE/Limited’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the NX’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The front grille of the Venza 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 Venza has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The Venza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (28.8 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The Venza has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

The Venza’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the NX.

The power windows standard on both the Venza and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Venza 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Venza has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the NX.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Venza will be $3531 to $7285 less than for the Lexus NX.

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Venza as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.