Compare the2023 Lexus NXVS 2023 Volvo XC60

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 NX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The XC60 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lexus NX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XC60 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the NX and the XC60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the NX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XC60 has not been fully tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC60. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XC60 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus NX’s reliability 26 points higher than the XC60 and the Lexus NX Hybrid is rated 48 points higher than the XC60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 99 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 14th.

As tested in Consumer Reports the NX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the XC60 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h is faster than the XC60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the XC60 running on electricity:

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XC60 running its gasoline engine:

The NX can travel longer on electricity, only, on a full charge than the XC60 on electricity, only, on a full charge:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus NX higher (6 to 7 out of 10) than the Volvo XC60 (5 to 7). This means the NX produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC60 every 15,000 miles.

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XC60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The NX stops shorter than the XC60:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The XC60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The NX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The XC60 Ultimate suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the NX uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The NX 350 AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the XC60 Recharge Core pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Volvo XC60.

The NX has .3 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more rear headroom than the XC60.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the NX’s rear seats recline. The XC60’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the NX is 1.2 inches lower than the XC60 (17.8” vs. 19”). The NX’s rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the XC60’s (18.2” vs. 19.5”).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The XC60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the NX, using the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the XC60.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 43% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.

The NX’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The XC60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The XC60 has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The NX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XC60’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the NX has standard extendable sun visors. The XC60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The NX 350h/450h+’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The XC60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX 350h as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo XC60 isn't recommended.

The Lexus NX outsold the Volvo XC60 by 35% during 2022.