Compare the2023 Lexus NXVS 2022 BMW X1

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus NX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus NX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X1 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 X1 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Pre-Collision System in the NX as “Superior.” The X1 scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The NX offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The X1 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The NX offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X1 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The NX’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X1 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the NX’s standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The X1 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the NX and the X1 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, 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 and rearview cameras.

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 X1 last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than BMW covers the X1. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the X1 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

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 20 points higher than the X1 and the Lexus NX Hybrid is rated 42 points higher than the X1.

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 BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

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 BMW 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, BMW is rated lower.

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

Engine

The NX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 12 more horsepower (240 vs. 228) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 more horsepower (275 vs. 228) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 450h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 74 more horsepower (302 vs. 228) than the X1’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Lexus NX is faster than the BMW X1:

	NX 350h	NX 350	X1
Zero to 30 MPH	2.8 sec	3 sec	3.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	7.2 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	15.5 sec	16.3 sec

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the BMW X1 2.0:

	NX	X1
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.4 MPH	90.5 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h is faster than the BMW X1 2.0:

	NX	X1
Zero to 60 MPH	5.5 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.4 MPH	90.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the X1:

			MPGe
NX
	AWD	450h Electric Motors	93 city/75 hwy
X1
			MPG
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the X1:

			MPG
NX
	FWD	250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/33 hwy
	AWD	350h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
		250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy
X1
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/31 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The X1 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Transmission

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 X1 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The NX stops shorter than the X1:

	NX	X1
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	134 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the NX has larger tires than the X1 (235/60R18 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the NX offers optional 20-inch wheels. The X1’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The NX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The X1’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NX is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than on the X1.

For greater off-road capability the NX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X1 (7.7 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The NX has .6 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more front shoulder room than the X1.

Cargo Capacity

The NX’s cargo area is larger than the X1’s in almost every dimension:

	NX	X1
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.6”/70.3”	35.1”/69”
Max Width	54.5”	51.5”
Min Width	39.7”	39.5”
Height	29.6”	33”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The X1 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The NX offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The X1 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the NX uses 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. The X1 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

Ergonomics

The NX has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The X1 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 X1 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 X1 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the NX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the X1 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The NX’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the X1’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

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 X1’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The X1 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The X1’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The NX’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The NX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X1. The NX also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X1.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the NX keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X1 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 X1’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Economic Advantages

The NX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the NX will retain 49.01% to 51.34% of its original price after five years, while the X1 only retains 47.06% to 47.87%.

Recommendations

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 BMW X1 isn't recommended.

The Lexus NX outsold the BMW X1 by almost seven to one during 2022.

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