Kia EV3 vs Lexus NX

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia EV3 at 5 stars (2025) and the Lexus NX at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2025 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 83% for the Kia EV3 and 91% for the Lexus NX, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia EV3 and 8 in the Lexus NX.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Charging times

How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.

Feature Showdown

The Kia EV3 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lexus NX gets a 9.8-inch display and 8-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Kia EV3 stands out with V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus NX. The Lexus NX counters with head-up display, heated front seats, power tailgate, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Kia EV3 gets cloth upholstery while the Lexus NX offers synthetic leather.

Drivetrain

The Kia EV3 uses a Electric producing 150kW and 283Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.

The Lexus NX responds with a Hybrid making 179kW and 239Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds.

The Lexus NX has the clear power advantage at 179kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV3 is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Kia EV3 measures 4,300mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 360mm shorter than the Lexus NX at 4,660mm (2,690mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lexus NX generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 460L in the Kia EV3 and 520L in the Lexus NX, giving the Lexus NX a 60L advantage.

For towing, the Lexus NX leads with a 1,500kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 1,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia EV3's turning circle is 1.0 m tighter, 10.4 m against 11.4 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV3 costs about $600 a year (12.5 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Lexus NX about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV3) and 5 years / Unlimited (Lexus NX). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia EV3), 4 years (Lexus NX).

Where each one leads

The Kia EV3: the lower starting price ($47,600 against $71,700) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Lexus NX: more power (179kW against 150kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (520L against 460L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,500kg against 500kg).

The Verdict

Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 79

The Kia EV3 scores 81 to the Lexus NX's 79 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 7 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: practicality (Lexus NX ahead by 14 points), value (Kia EV3 ahead by 10 points). Boot space with the seats up: 460L in the Kia EV3, 520L in the Lexus NX. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV3, 5 on the Lexus NX.

Common questions