2025 Lexus NX vs 2026 Honda CR-V
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Lexus NX commands attention with its $40,965 starting price and 203 hp punch, offering a distinctly premium, engaging feel right off the line. Conversely, the 2026 Honda CR-V anchors its appeal in unparalleled practicality, boasting a massive 39.3 cu ft of cargo capacity for only $30,920—a staggering $10,045 less than the Lexus. While the Lexus edges out slightly in power (203 hp vs. 190 hp), the CR-V maintains a very slight edge in fuel efficiency with 30 combined MPG versus the NX's 28 MPG. Both compact crossovers ride on similar dimensions, with the CR-V being marginally longer at 184.8 inches. For those prioritizing brand cachet and sharper immediate performance metrics, the NX delivers; however, the CR-V is the undisputed champion of everyday utility and fiscal sensibility.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Honda CR-V
The 2026 Honda CR-V wins for commuters due to its superior efficiency, achieving 30 combined MPG compared to the Lexus NX's 28 MPG.
2026 Honda CR-V
The CR-V is the clear family choice, offering substantially more utility with 39.3 cu ft of cargo space compared to the NX's 22.7 cu ft.
2025 Lexus NX
The 2025 Lexus NX appeals more to driving enthusiasts because it delivers slightly more power with 203 horsepower versus the CR-V's 190 hp.
2026 Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V represents significantly better value, with a starting MSRP of $30,920, saving buyers $10,045 over the Lexus NX.
Choose the Lexus NX if...
- You value luxury branding and a slightly more powerful engine outputting 203 horsepower.
- You prefer the precise shifting feel of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
- You prioritize overall vehicle fit and finish associated with the Lexus badge, justifying the $40,965 base cost.
Choose the Honda CR-V if...
- Budget is paramount, as the CR-V saves you $10,045 upfront compared to the NX.
- Maximum storage space is required, as its 39.3 cu ft cargo area dwarfs the NX's 22.7 cu ft capacity.
- You want the marginal benefit of 30 combined MPG for daily driving duties.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Lexus NX | Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5" | 184.8" |
| Width | 73.4" | 73.5" |
| Height | 66.1" | 66.2" |
| Wheelbase | 105.9" | 106.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 1.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 203 hp @ 6600 rpm | 190 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm | 179 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 | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 8-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 28/33 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 28 MPG | 30 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 377.0/478.5 mi. | 392.0/462.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal. | 14.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 9.8 in | 9.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 10 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Stereo Power | — | 160W |
Power Feature
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 38.3 in. | 40.0 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 41.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.3 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 56.3 in. | 55.6 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: Cloth | — | ✓ |
Rearseats
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.5 in. | 38.2 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.1 in. | 41.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 54.0 in. | 55.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.5 in. | 52.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 18 x 7.5 in | — |
| Tire Size | 235/60R18 | 235/65R |
| Run Flat Tires | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | ✓ |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
| Tire Type | — | All Season |
| Spare Tire Type | — | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | — | Inside Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Lexus | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 10000 mi. | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Lexus NX and 2026 Honda CR-V.
How much more spacious is the 2026 Honda CR-V compared to the 2025 Lexus NX?
The Honda CR-V offers significantly more utility for families, boasting 39.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity. In contrast, the 2025 Lexus NX provides only 22.7 cubic feet, meaning the CR-V offers nearly 17 cubic feet more hauling capability.
Is the price difference between these two crossovers worth the performance gap?
The Lexus NX starts at $40,965 while the CR-V begins at $30,920, a $10,045 difference. The NX offers 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque compared to the CR-V's 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, making the performance uplift modest for the significant price hike.
Which vehicle provides better fuel economy for long-distance commuting?
The 2026 Honda CR-V has the edge in efficiency, rated at 30 combined MPG. The 2025 Lexus NX is slightly thirstier, achieving 28 combined MPG, though both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel.
Do the exterior dimensions vary significantly between the two models?
Not dramatically, as both are compact crossovers with very similar footprints. The CR-V is slightly longer at 184.8 inches versus the NX's 183.5 inches, and both share nearly identical widths and heights around 73.5 inches wide and 66.2 inches tall.
What mechanical differences exist in their transmissions?
The Lexus NX utilizes a more traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, often favored for its defined shift points. Conversely, the Honda CR-V employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which typically prioritizes smoothness and efficiency.
How does the standard drivetrain compare for these base models?
Both base trims listed are front-wheel drive vehicles utilizing regular unleaded gasoline. The primary mechanical distinction in the drivetrain setup, outside of the engine output, lies in the type of automatic transmission employed by each manufacturer.
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