Lexus NX vs Volkswagen Touareg

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Volkswagen Touareg a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

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 Touareg gets a 15-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Lexus NX stands out with head-up display, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Touareg. 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 Touareg offers leather.

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 Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.

The Lexus NX has the clear power advantage at 179kW vs 170kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Lexus NX is 0.3s quicker. 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, 229mm shorter than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 520L in the Lexus NX and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 290L advantage.

For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 2,000kg 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 Lexus NX's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 11.4 m against 12.0 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 Touareg 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 Touareg). Capped-price servicing: 4 years (Lexus NX), no data (Volkswagen Touareg).

Where each one leads

The Lexus NX: the lower starting price ($71,700 against $86,790), more power (179kW against 170kW) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,425 a year against $2,166).

The Volkswagen Touareg: the bigger boot with the seats up (810L against 520L) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,500kg).

The Verdict

Lexus NX scores higher, 79 vs 68

The Lexus NX scores 79 to the Volkswagen Touareg's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: safety (Lexus NX ahead by 29 points), fuel economy (Lexus NX ahead by 24 points), practicality (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 22 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, 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg.

Common questions