2025 Lexus NX vs 2026 Ford Bronco Sport
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Lexus NX and the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport often boils down to budget versus luxury refinement. The most striking difference is the cost: the Bronco Sport starts $9,120 cheaper at just $31,845 compared to the NX's $40,965 MSRP. While both are compact crossovers, they prioritize different things. The Lexus offers better fuel efficiency, sipping regular unleaded to achieve 28 MPG combined, slightly better than the Bronco Sport's 27 MPG combined. Power is also skewed toward the Lexus, which brings 203 hp to the table, easily outgunning the Bronco Sport's 181 hp. However, the more ruggedly styled Bronco Sport wins on pure utility, offering a cavernous 32.5 cu ft of cargo space against the Lexus's smaller 22.7 cu ft. If your daily commute involves slippery roads, the standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) on the Bronco Sport gives it an inherent advantage over the standard Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) of the base NX.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Lexus NX
The Lexus NX wins for commuters due to its superior 28 MPG combined fuel economy.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport is better for families because it offers significantly more utility with 32.5 cu ft of cargo capacity.
2025 Lexus NX
The Lexus NX provides more outright performance with 203 hp versus the Bronco Sport's 181 hp.
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport delivers better inherent capability, like standard AWD, for substantially less money, saving buyers $9,120.
Choose the Lexus NX if...
- You prioritize premium brand appeal and smoother refinement over budget savings.
- You desire slightly better highway mileage, achieving 33 MPG highway.
- You prefer a vehicle with a marginally more efficient 203 hp engine setup.
Choose the Ford Bronco Sport if...
- You need maximum storage space, highlighted by its 32.5 cu ft cargo volume.
- All-Wheel Drive capability is necessary for your regular driving conditions.
- Keeping the purchase price under $32,000 is a top priority, saving $9,120 upfront.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Lexus NX | Ford Bronco Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5" | 172.7" |
| Width | 73.4" | 74.3" |
| Height | 66.1" | 70.2" |
| Wheelbase | 105.9" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Folding Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 3 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 203 hp @ 6600 rpm | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 190 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 12 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 25/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 28 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 377.0/478.5 mi. | 400.0/480.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 16.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | — |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.3 in. | 41.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 42.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.3 in. | 57.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.3 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 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: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.5 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.1 in. | 36.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.0 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.5 in. | 53.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 225/65R H |
| Run Flat Tires | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
| Tire Type | — | All Season |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Lexus | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus NX and 2026 Ford Bronco Sport.
Is the Lexus NX or the Ford Bronco Sport more powerful?
The 2025 Lexus NX is the more powerful choice, boasting 203 horsepower compared to the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport's 181 horsepower. However, the Bronco Sport slightly edges out the Lexus in torque, producing 190 lb-ft versus the NX's 184 lb-ft.
Which crossover has better gas mileage for my daily drive?
The Lexus NX offers a slight edge in fuel economy, achieving 28 MPG combined (26 city/33 highway) compared to the Bronco Sport's 27 MPG combined (25 city/30 highway). Both vehicles run happily on regular unleaded fuel.
How much more cargo space does the Bronco Sport offer?
The 2026 Ford Bronco Sport is substantially more practical for hauling gear, offering 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space. This is significantly larger than the 22.7 cubic feet available in the 2025 Lexus NX.
Why is the Lexus NX so much more expensive than the Bronco Sport?
The 2025 Lexus NX has an MSRP of $40,965, making it $9,120 more expensive than the $31,845 starting price of the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport. This price difference generally reflects the Lexus's elevated interior materials and brand positioning.
Which car is better if I have to deal with snow?
The Ford Bronco Sport is inherently better equipped for adverse weather because it comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), while the base Lexus NX utilizes Front-Wheel Drive (FWD).
Are the transmissions different between these two vehicles?
No, both the Lexus NX and the Ford Bronco Sport utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, offering similar driving engagement from a gear-shifting perspective.
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