Both the CR-V Hybrid 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, 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.
Compare the2023 Honda CR-V HybridVS 2022 Lexus NX
Safety
Warranty
Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the CR-V Hybrid for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the NX (2/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).
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.
Engine
The CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 1 more horsepower (204 vs. 203) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (247 vs. 184) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the CR-V Hybrid gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:
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|
|
MPG |
CR-V Hybrid |
|||
|
FWD |
2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid |
43 city/36 hwy |
|
AWD |
2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid |
40 city/34 hwy |
NX |
|||
|
FWD |
250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl. |
26 city/33 hwy |
|
AWD |
450h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid |
38 city/33 hwy |
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|
250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl. |
25 city/32 hwy |
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|
350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. |
22 city/29 hwy |
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350 F Sport 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. |
22 city/28 hwy |
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.
Environmental Friendliness
In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda CR-V Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX (6 to 7). This means the CR-V Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX every 15,000 miles.
Suspension and Handling
For better maneuverability, the CR-V Hybrid’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the NX’s (37.3 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.
Chassis
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.
Passenger Space
The CR-V Hybrid has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.
Cargo Capacity
The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (39.3 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 (76.5 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:
|
CR-V Hybrid |
NX |
Length to seat (2nd/1st) |
37.5”/71” |
37.6”/70.3” |
Max Width |
54” |
54.5” |
Min Width |
41.5” |
39.7” |
Height |
41” |
29.6” |
Towing
The CR-V Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (1000 vs. 0 pounds).
Recommendations
The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 21 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.