Lexus NX vs Volkswagen Tayron

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Lexus NX at 5 stars (2022) and the Volkswagen Tayron at 5 stars (2025). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2025). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 91% for the Lexus NX and 87% for the Volkswagen Tayron, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 8 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Volkswagen Tayron, against 6 on the Lexus NX.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Lexus NX and 9 in the Volkswagen Tayron.

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.

Feature Showdown

The Lexus NX features a 9.8-inch touchscreen paired with a 8-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Tayron gets a 12.9-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

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

Interior trim differs: the Lexus NX gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Tayron offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Lexus NX and 3-zone in the Volkswagen Tayron.

Drivetrain

The Lexus NX uses a Hybrid producing 179kW and 239Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.7 seconds.

The Volkswagen Tayron responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 250Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels.

The Lexus NX has the clear power advantage at 179kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Lexus NX measures 4,660mm long on a 2,690mm wheelbase, 132mm shorter than the Volkswagen Tayron at 4,792mm (2,790mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Tayron generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 520L in the Lexus NX and 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron, giving the Lexus NX a 175L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1141L vs 1905L. The Volkswagen Tayron seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Volkswagen Tayron leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 300kg 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 Lexus NX's turning circle is 0.7 m tighter, 11.4 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Lexus NX costs about $1,425 a year (5 L/100km) and fuel for the Volkswagen Tayron about $2,166 a year (7.6 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $741 a year less for the Lexus NX.

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

Where each one leads

The Lexus NX: more power (179kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (520L against 345L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,425 a year against $2,166).

The Volkswagen Tayron: the lower starting price ($48,290 against $71,700) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 1,500kg).

The Verdict

Lexus NX scores higher, 79 vs 73

The Lexus NX scores 79 to the Volkswagen Tayron's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: fuel economy (Lexus NX ahead by 24 points), technology (Lexus NX ahead by 14 points), reliability (Lexus NX ahead by 9 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Lexus NX costs about $741 less (5 L/100km against 7.6 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 520L in the Lexus NX, 345L in the Volkswagen Tayron.

Common questions