What is the difference between Lexus NX 350 and RX 350?
The Lexus NX 350 is a compact luxury crossover with a smaller footprint and greater efficiency, while the RX 350 is a larger mid-size SUV offering more interior space, cargo room, and refined comfort. Both use a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and share many core technologies, but they differ notably in size, practicality, and pricing.
Both models sit at different ends of Lexus’s SUV lineup, serving distinct needs. This article compares them across size, performance, interior technology, and value for current model years.
Size and practicality
Below is a quick look at how the NX 350 and RX 350 differ in space and everyday usability.
- Segment and footprint: NX 350 is a compact luxury crossover; RX 350 is a larger, mid-size SUV.
- Interior space: RX 350 generally offers more passenger room and a broader rear seating area than the NX 350.
- Cargo capacity: RX 350 provides noticeably more behind-the-back seats cargo space and overall cargo versatility than the NX 350.
- Overall practicality: For tight-city driving, the NX 350 is easier to park and maneuver; for family trips and frequent cargo needs, the RX 350 shines with added volume.
In short, the NX 350 prioritizes nimble handling and footprint efficiency, while the RX 350 emphasizes space and comfort for longer drives or shopping trips.
Performance and efficiency
Both models share a similar powertrain configuration, but their size and weight shape their performance characteristics.
- Engine and output: Both the NX 350 and RX 350 use a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four delivering about 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque.
- Transmission and drivetrain: An eight-speed automatic is paired with available all-wheel drive on both models, with AWD typically offered across most trims.
- Ride and handling: The NX 350 is generally more agile and quicker to respond in tight corners due to its lighter weight; the RX 350 emphasizes a smoother, more refined highway ride with a composed feel.
- Fuel economy: In everyday use, the NX 350 tends to show slightly better efficiency in city driving thanks to its smaller size, while the RX 350 prioritizes comfort and power delivery, which can come with a modest hit to efficiency.
Both SUVs aim for a strong, steady performance with a focus on quiet cabin experience and smooth power delivery, but the NX’s lighter footprint often translates to more nimble city driving, whereas the RX offers a more relaxed long-haul ride.
Interior, technology, and features
Interior design, technology offerings, and standard features help differentiate the two. Here’s what to expect inside each model.
- Infotainment and display: Both use Lexus Interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; screen sizes vary by trim, with larger displays available on higher-end RX trims and select NX configurations.
- Materials and comfort: The RX 350 typically showcases a more premium, roomier cabin with enhanced sound dampening and upscale materials, while the NX 350 focuses on efficient use of space and high-quality cabin components.
- Seating: Both are designed as five-passenger SUVs in current generations; the RX emphasizes generous rear legroom and cushiony seating for long trips, while the NX prioritizes compact-suv comfort and visibility.
- Hybrids and powertrains: Lexus offers hybrid variants in the NX and RX lineups (NX 350h and RX 450h in certain years), but the question here centers on the gas NX 350 and RX 350; hybrid options exist for buyers seeking greater efficiency.
In summary, the RX 350 tends to deliver a more premium, roomier interior with a hushed cabin, whereas the NX 350 emphasizes efficient use of space, a modern interface, and strong city-duty practicality.
Pricing and trims
Pricing generally reflects the size and equipment gaps between the two models. The figures below reflect typical ranges for recent model years and can vary by year, region, and optional packages.
- Starting price: NX 350 usually begins in the low-to-mid $40,000s; RX 350 typically starts higher, in the mid-to-high $40,000s or low $50,000s depending on year and trim.
- Trim levels: The NX 350 offers trims such as base, Premium, and optionally sport-oriented variants, while the RX 350 lineup commonly includes base, Premium/Luxury, and sport-oriented trims with higher-end options available.
- Options and hybrids: Both lines offer hybrid variants (e.g., NX 350h, RX 450h) for buyers weighing efficiency; these are separate from the gas NX 350 and RX 350.
Overall value depends on the buyer’s needs: the NX 350 delivers a lower starting price and easier daily usability, while the RX 350 commands a higher price but provides more space and a more opulent interior experienced on longer trips.
Bottom line and guidance
Choosing between the NX 350 and RX 350 comes down to space, driving context, and budget. If you prize compact size, city-friendly maneuverability, and lower starting price, the NX 350 is a strong match. If you require more interior room, a bigger cargo area, and a more luxurious, serene ride for longer journeys, the RX 350 is the better fit. Both offer the reliability and refinement Lexus buyers expect, and both share the same 2.4-liter turbo engine in their current gas-powered versions.
Test drives are recommended to experience the difference in ride quality, cabin quietness, and practical space firsthand, especially if you frequently transport passengers or cargo.
Summary
In one line: the NX 350 is the compact, efficient choice with easier urban practicality, while the RX 350 is the larger, more comfortable family SUV with greater space and refinement. Both run on a 2.4L turbo engine and offer similar core technology, but their size, cargo capacity, and price point set them apart for different buyers. As of the latest model years, your decision should hinge on whether you prioritize maneuverability and efficiency (NX) or space and luxury on longer trips (RX).
