Compare the2023 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2024 Lexus NX

The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The NX doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the Crosstrek 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, 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.

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.

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 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

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

Both the Crosstrek CVT and the NX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Crosstrek CVTs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Crosstrek uses regular unleaded gasoline. The NX 350 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Crosstrek has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (16.6 vs. 14.5 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 (6 to 7). This means the Crosstrek produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX every 15,000 miles.

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

The Crosstrek stops much shorter than the NX:

The Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek Premium handles at .81 G’s, while the NX 450h AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Crosstrek Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the NX 450h AWD (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the NX’s (35.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX (8.7 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Crosstrek may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 1200 pounds less than the Lexus NX.

The Crosstrek is 7 inches shorter than the NX, making the Crosstrek easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Crosstrek has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear legroom, 2.7 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The Crosstrek has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (55.3 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

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

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the NX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

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

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 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the Crosstrek’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the NX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Crosstrek will cost $620 to $2580 less than the NX over a five-year period.

The Crosstrek will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Crosstrek will retain 57.4% to 60.77% of its original price after five years, while the NX only retains 49.01% to 51.34%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Crosstrek will be $12007 to $21935 less than for the Lexus NX.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Lexus NX by over three to one during 2022.