Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Lexus NX

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. But it costs extra on the NX.

Both the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 available around view monitors.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid for 1 year and 15000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the NX (2/25000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 11 points higher than the Lexus NX Hybrid and 35 points higher than the Lexus NX.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 99 more horsepower (302 vs. 203) than the NX 250’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 62 more horsepower (302 vs. 240) than the NX 350h AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (302 vs. 275) than the NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is faster than the Lexus NX:

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the NX 450h running on electricity (105 city/84 hwy vs. 93 city/75 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the NX running its gasoline engine:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 42 miles. The NX 450h has to start its internal combustion engine after only 37 miles.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid uses regular unleaded gasoline. The NX 350 AWD requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid stops shorter than the NX:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the NX’s (57.7% to 42.3%). This gives the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE handles at .83 G’s, while the NX 450h+ AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the NX 450h+ AWD (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the NX’s (36.1 feet vs. 38 feet). The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the NX’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD (8 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the NX (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the Rav4 Plug-In 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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the NX.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the NX with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 22.7 cubic feet). The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (63.2 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid easier. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the NX’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the NX’s in almost every dimension:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (2500 vs. 0 pounds).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a higher standard payload capacity than the NX (1295 vs. 1125 lbs.).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a higher maximum payload capacity than the NX (1295 vs. 1205 lbs.).

The power windows standard on both the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 Plug-In 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.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the NX can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the NX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The NX’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’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 Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The NX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Lexus NX by almost six to one during 2023.