Compare the2023 Subaru CrosstrekVS 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 CVT 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. But it costs extra on the NX Series.

Both the Crosstrek 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, 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 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 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’s warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the Crosstrek Sport/Limited 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the NX 300h (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek 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 gets better mileage than the NX Series:

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

The Crosstrek has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Crosstrek offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The NX Series doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Crosstrek stops much shorter than the NX Series:

The Crosstrek’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX Series’ standard 65 series tires.

The Crosstrek Limited handles at .81 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 Crosstrek Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the NX 300h AWD (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

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

The Subaru Crosstrek may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 900 pounds less than the Lexus NX Series.

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

The Crosstrek has 29.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (100.9 vs. 71.6).

The Crosstrek has 1.6 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX Series.

The Crosstrek has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX Series with its rear seat up (20.8 vs. 17.7 cubic feet). The Crosstrek has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX Series with its rear seat folded (55.3 vs. 54.6 cubic feet).

The Crosstrek’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX Series’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

The engine in the Crosstrek 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’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Crosstrek Base). The NX Series doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Crosstrek’s standard driver 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 Crosstrek Premium/Sport/Limited’s standard 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.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Crosstrek is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $427 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Crosstrek than the NX Series, including $163 less for a water pump, $456 less for a muffler, $27 less for a starter, $364 less for fuel injection, $68 less for a fuel pump, $759 less for a timing belt/chain and $200 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Crosstrek 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.