NX300 vs RX350: The Differences Between These Lexus SUVs

This NX300 vs RX350 guide will help you choose which of the two Lexus SUVs is the best for your needs. Choosing between the two luxury models can be difficult because they are from the same manufacturer and are among the top-quality SUVs in the world today.

You’ve come to the right place if you can’t decide which one to buy because we’ll highlight their unique features and differences in this comparison article!

Features	Lexus NX 300	Lexus RX 350
Engine	2.0L 4-cylinder inline engine that can deliver up to 235 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft torque	3.5L V6 engine that can deliver up to 295 horsepower and 268 lb.-ft
Transmission	6-speed shiftable automatic transmission	8-speed shiftable automatic transmission
Fuel Efficiency	22 mpg city driving and 28 mpg highway driving, which gives a combined 25 mpg	20 mpg city driving and 27 mpg highway driving, which gives a combined 23 mpg
Size	182.7 inches	192.5 inches
Towing Capacity	2,000 pounds	3,500 pounds

 

What Are the Differences Between Lexus NX 300 and RX 350?

The main difference between Lexus NX 300 and RX 350 include size, powertrain, available seating, key features, and fuel efficiency. Lexus RX 350 is a more powerful and larger SUV, but NX 300 offers more advanced features. The better option between the two depends on your needs and requirements.

You can enjoy luxury rides with both SUVs, and they offer room for five passengers. However, their differences are the main things every potential buyer should consider. To help you understand these differences, we’ll closely look at each of them below.

– Size

The most notable difference between the two SUVs is their size. With RX 350, you get more room for cargo and passengers than the NX 300. This implies that the RX 350 will allow you to haul more and ensure that your passengers enjoy more comfort.

Even though the standard option available on both vehicles is five seats, RX offers a 350L trim level, which comes with a third-row seat. Therefore, the vehicle can accommodate up to seven passengers. This option is not available on NX 300 counterparts.

– Engine

The next distinguishing feature of the two vehicles is the engine they come with. With the NX 300, you get a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, while RX 350 features the 3.5L V6 engine from Lexus. Therefore, you get more torque and horsepower with RX 350 than NX 300.

Despite the higher power offered by the engine of the RX 350, the difference isn’t always noticed by most drivers. This is due to the larger size of the RV SUV, and even though it has a V6 engine, the handling of both vehicles is very similar.

– Fuel Efficiency

Every driver looks out for fuel-efficient alternatives when buying a car, considering the rising price of fuel. This is also an area that differentiates the two Lexus models. The EPA mileage estimate of the RX 350 is 27 mpg when driving on the highway and 20 mpg for city driving. This results in a combined mpg of 23 for RX 350.

It’s a lot better with the NX 300 counterpart, as the EPA mileage estimate for city driving is 22 mpg, and for highway driving is 28 mpg. Therefore, you can get up to 25 mpg combined fuel economy with the NX 300.

The figure is higher for NX 300, which indicates better fuel efficiency than the RX counterpart. Therefore, you can expect your fuel to last longer with the NX.

– Towing Capacity

Are you considering using your SUV to tow? Then the towing capacity of both vehicles is a factor to consider. Consider the RX 350 if you have a heavier load to haul because it offers up to 3,500 lbs. towing capacity. On the other hand, the maximum towing capacity of NX 300 is 2,000 lbs. which makes it unsuitable for towing heavier loads.

– Interior Options and In-Car Entertainment

Both vehicles come with a range of interior features, but you get more features with RX than NX, and an example is the touch-screen infotainment system. The RX also offers other great features like the 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround audio sound system and second-row USB ports.

In addition, you get nine speakers with RX 350 and eight with NX 300. Other features they offer include satellite radio with real-time traffic alerts, aux cable input, and a memory card slot.

– Transmission

Transmission is also a factor that sets the two vehicles apart. With the NX 300, you get 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission while the RX 350 offers 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Even though they have different transmissions, it’s important to note that both vehicles come with an FWD drivetrain and they run on gas.

– Overall Comparison

With everything above, it’s clear that the RX 350 is a better option, especially if you’re looking for a larger SUV. The RX 350 provides the option to upgrade the seat configuration from the conventional five to seven, which is not the case with NX 300.

However, in terms of fuel efficiency, the NX 300 is the better option to consider. In addition to everything above, another important thing to consider before choosing your preferred Lexus SUV is its reliability. Best midsize rankings show that the RX 350 is ranked number 7, thanks to the desirable features it offers.

Among this includes the robust V6 that offers amazing horsepower and torque for smooth handling and an enjoyable ride. Even though RX is generally a better option, you can also consider getting NX 300. Ultimately, personal preference is the main thing that will help you determine which of the two vehicles is the best.

What Are Lexus NX 300 Characteristics and Specifications?

Lexus NX 300 characteristics and specifications include a lower price and better fuel efficiency as it offers a combined 25 mpg. Other features include the 2.0L 4-cylinder engine designed to produce 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft torque. The car comes with 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

– Essential Features

The NX 300 is a luxury compact SUV that comes with two rows of seating, which can accommodate up to five passengers. Even though it’s considered to be a compact vehicle, it has enough room for passengers to enjoy a comfortable ride. This includes 42.8 inches of legroom and 38.2 inches of headroom.

 

It is one of the most reliable products offered by Lexus, and it’s designed to last long and offer an impressive level of performance throughout its lifespan. With the NX 300, you can get more than 150,000 miles with very little maintenance. This can increase to more than 200,000 miles with an intense level of maintenance.

Another selling point of the NX 300 is the towing capacity it offers. The car can easily tow up to 2,000 pounds of weight, which is impressive. If you have more weight to tow, it may not be the best option for you.

The car comes with different safety features, and this is reflected in its safety ratings. For example, it is considered a TOP SAFETY PICK+ in the IIHS Safety Rating. Also, the vehicle is rated five stars by the NHTSA Safety Rating. The standard safety equipment included in the vehicle includes lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and blind spot monitoring.

What Are Lexus RX 350 Characteristics and Specifications?

Lexus RX 350 characteristics and specifications include higher power, more space, comfort, and towing power. The car is basically an upgrade of the NX 300, and it also offers more power, thanks to the larger engine it comes with. However, it is not a budget-friendly option.

– Essential Features

The vehicle is a larger SUV with a length of 192.5 inches, which is longer than the NX 300, which is only 182.7 inches long. It also comes with the standard two-row seating that can accommodate up to five passengers. However, this can be upgraded to three-row seating to accommodate two additional passengers.

The Lexus RX 350 is also designed to last long, and you can expect it to go up to 150,000 miles with much ease. This can be extended to up to 300,000 miles with proper maintenance. Another amazing feature of the car is the engine it comes with, which is a V6 engine that effectively delivers more horsepower. The interior design of the car is also amazing, and it mostly includes upgraded features that are not included in the NX version.

As mentioned earlier, if you have a high towing need, RX 350 is the best option for you. This is because it offers up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. You can easily use the vehicle to tow up to this weight while still enjoying the pleasure of a comfortable ride.

 

Safety ratings for the vehicle are only available for the NHTSA safety rating, of which the RX 350 is rated 4.35 out of five stars. The standard safety features included are wireless smartphone charging, Android Auto, apple CarPlay, heated seats, adaptive cruise control, keyless ignition, and keyless entry. Other safety equipment includes blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and forward collision warning.

Conclusion

If you’re considering getting an SUV, you have different options to consider from Lexus, among which include the NX 300 and RX 350. These are compact luxury SUVs and are among the most popular option from the company. They share many similarities, but they are also different, and it’s important to consider these differences before buying. We have outlined these differences in this guide, and the overall winner depends on what you want in an SUV.

When it comes to exterior and interior dimensions, RX 350 is the option to buy. It also has a more powerful engine that can deliver more horsepower and torque, as well as a high towing capacity. On the other hand, NX 300 takes the lead in terms of fuel efficiency. Whichever vehicle you get, you can rest assured of enjoying luxury rides with these Lexus SUVs.