Compare the2025 Lexus NXVS 2024 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Payload
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
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 and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Lexus NX has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the NX and the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is safer than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid:

	NX	Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	9 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.38 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD

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 Hybrid’s reliability 25 points higher than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 63 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 11th.

Engine

The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (275 vs. 261) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 258) than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 450h+ AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 43 more horsepower (304 vs. 261) than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX 450h running on electricity gets better mileage than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (93 city/75 hwy vs. 87 city/74 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
NX
	AWD	350h AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h+ AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/35 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 37 miles. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 33 miles.

Both the NX and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The NX (except NX 350h/450h+) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The NX has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid (14.5 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is available on the Lexus NX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

The NX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

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

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the NX’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s (38 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

Chassis

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 450 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the NX. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Payload

The NX has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid (1205 vs. 1132 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The NX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 78% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The NX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The NX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

On a hot day the NX’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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. Proximity Key standard on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The NX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the NX offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the NX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Model Availability

The NX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the NX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the NX will cost $775 less than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

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 57.75% to 60.19% of its original price after five years, while the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid only retains 52.89% to 54.4%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus NX and the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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