2025 Lexus NX vs 2025 Toyota Highlander
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Lexus NX arrives with refined luxury, sporting an MSRP starting at $40,965, prioritizing polish and efficiency with 28 combined MPG from its 203 hp engine. Conversely, the 2025 Toyota Highlander bursts onto the scene offering significantly more muscle for nearly the same entry price of $40,320; its turbocharged powertrain delivers a commanding 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This 62 hp advantage makes the Highlander far more spirited when merging onto the freeway. While the NX is more agile at 183.5 inches long, the Highlander boasts a greater overall presence at 194.9 inches. Though the Highlander offers superior output, the NX leads in fuel economy, achieving 33 highway MPG versus the Highlander's 29 highway MPG, setting up a classic battle between accessible premium refinement and raw, accessible power.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Lexus NX
The 2025 Lexus NX wins for commuters due to its superior efficiency, achieving 28 combined MPG.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander is better suited for families due to its larger overall dimensions and greater physical presence.
2025 Toyota Highlander
Enthusiasts will favor the Highlander for its substantial performance edge, delivering 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
2025 Toyota Highlander
The 2025 Toyota Highlander offers significantly more horsepower for a lower initial MSRP of $40,320.
Choose the Lexus NX if...
- You prioritize efficiency, as the Lexus NX offers 28 combined MPG.
- You prefer a more compact footprint for city navigation (183.5 inches long).
- You desire the upscale ambiance associated with the Lexus brand starting at $40,965.
Choose the Toyota Highlander if...
- You need the brute force of 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque for passing power.
- You appreciate the lower starting price point of $40,320.
- You prefer a larger vehicle structure (194.9 inches in length) for road presence.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Lexus NX | Toyota Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5" | 194.9" |
| Width | 73.4" | 76.0" |
| Height | 66.1" | 68.1" |
| Wheelbase | 105.9" | 112.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.4 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 203 hp @ 6600 rpm | 265 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 22/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 28 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 377.0/478.5 mi. | 393.8/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 9.8 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 10 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.3 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 42.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.3 in. | 59.0 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.3 in. | 57.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.5 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.1 in. | 38.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.0 in. | 58.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.5 in. | 57.0 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | P235/65R V |
| Run Flat Tires | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
| Tire Type | — | All Season |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Lexus | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ unlimited mi. | 2 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus NX and 2025 Toyota Highlander.
What is the most significant performance difference between the 2025 NX and Highlander?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander possesses a massive performance advantage, producing 265 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which is 62 horsepower more than the Lexus NX's 203 hp output.
Which vehicle is more economical for daily driving?
The 2025 Lexus NX is the more economical choice, achieving a combined MPG rating of 28 versus the Highlander’s 25 combined MPG.
How do the starting prices compare for these two crossovers?
The 2025 Toyota Highlander has a slight edge in initial cost at $40,320 MSRP, while the 2025 Lexus NX begins slightly higher at $40,965 MSRP.
Is the cargo space notably different between these models?
Yes, the Lexus NX offers 22.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the physically larger Highlander has less usable space advertised at 16 cubic feet.
Do both vehicles use the same transmission and fuel type?
Both the 2025 Lexus NX and the 2025 Toyota Highlander utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and run on regular unleaded fuel.
Which vehicle is physically larger in dimension?
The Toyota Highlander is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 194.9 inches in length and 76.0 inches in width, compared to the NX's length of 183.5 inches.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool