Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2024 Lexus NX

The Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Hybrid. But it costs extra on the NX.

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

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the NX 450h running on electricity (99 city/80 hwy vs. 93 city/75 hwy MPGe).

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

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

The Crosstrek Hybrid stops shorter than the NX:

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX’s standard 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’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 Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX (8.7 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the Crosstrek Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

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

The front grille of the Crosstrek 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.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear legroom, 1.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (1000 vs. 0 pounds).

The engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Hybrid and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s exterior PIN entry system. The NX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Crosstrek Hybrid will cost $165 to $1505 less than the NX over a five-year period.

The Crosstrek Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Crosstrek Hybrid will retain 51.71% 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 Hybrid will be $3290 to $16001 less than for the Lexus NX.

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