Compare the2024 Lexus NXVS 2023 Mercedes EQB

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 EQB 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 EQB doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 EQB doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The NX’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the EQB.

Both the NX and the EQB 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Lexus NX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The EQB has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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

The NX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the EQB’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes 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 Mercedes 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, Mercedes is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Mercedes is ranked 29th.

The NX has more powerful engines than the EQB:

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the EQB 350:

The NX 450h’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 588 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The EQB’s range is only 227 to 245 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 32 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 11 hours and 15 minutes.

The NX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EQB are solid, not vented.

The NX stops much shorter than the EQB:

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

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

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the NX is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.6 inches wider in the rear than on the EQB.

The NX 350 AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the EQB 350 4MATIC pulls only .79 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 850 pounds less than the Mercedes EQB.

The NX has a much larger cargo volume than the EQB with its rear seat up (22.7 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

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

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 EQB doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 48% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless-Start standard on the EQB only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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 EQB only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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 EQB doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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 EQB doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The NX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the EQB. The NX 350/350h also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated second row seats aren’t available in the EQB.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus NX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus NX outsold the Mercedes EQB by over six to one during 2023.