Lexus RX vs Nissan Patrol
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 30 Jul 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$93,550RRP
- no option data for this car
$90,600RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Lexus RX & Nissan Patrol
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Price Breakdown
The Lexus RX starts from $93,550 before on-road costs, while the Nissan Patrol opens at $90,600. That makes the Nissan Patrol the more affordable entry point by $2,950.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $102,905 and $99,660 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus RX by roughly $12,825 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP's published record does not give the Nissan Patrol 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
Lexus RX
- REC-006213 · published 13 Dec 2024Due to a manufacturing defect in the Adaptive High Beam System cracks may develop over time resulting in the LED reflector detaching from the reflector motor inside the headlamp assembly.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2022
- REC-005374 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
Nissan Patrol
- REC-006582 · published 3 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, some affected vehicles were fitted with an incorrect tyre placard.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-001637 · published 2 Aug 2021The fuel pump module may not have been manufactured properly and may bind internally, restricting or stopping fuel to the engine.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2020
- REC-001097 · published 2 Dec 2014The fuel pressure sensor of some vehicles may be insufficiently tightened to the fuel rail, and may loosen gradually due to heat and vibration of the engine.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- 1 more on the model page.
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 RX features a 14-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Nissan Patrol gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus RX stands out with head-up display, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Lexus Premium Sound audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Nissan Patrol. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Lexus RX gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Nissan Patrol offers leather.
Drivetrain
The Lexus RX uses a Hybrid producing 184kW and 239Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds.
The Nissan Patrol responds with a Petrol making 298kW and 560Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.
The Nissan Patrol has the clear power advantage at 298kW vs 184kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Nissan Patrol is 1.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Lexus RX measures 4,890mm long on a 2,850mm wheelbase, 285mm shorter than the Nissan Patrol at 5,175mm (3,075mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Patrol generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 612L in the Lexus RX and 620L in the Nissan Patrol, giving the Nissan Patrol a 8L advantage. The Nissan Patrol seats 8 vs 5.
For towing, the Nissan Patrol leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 2,000kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.8m to 12.5m
Based on 11.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,539/year for the Lexus RX and $4,104/year for the Nissan Patrol. That is a $2,565 annual difference in favour of the Lexus RX.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Lexus RX) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan Patrol). Both match on warranty length. Capped-price servicing: 4yr (Lexus RX)—.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Lexus RX if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan Patrol if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Lexus RX: Top CarSorted Score, 78 vs 61, but the Nissan Patrol is $2,950 cheaper
The Lexus RX comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (78 vs 61), taking 1 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Lexus RX ahead by 82), safety (Lexus RX ahead by 27), performance (Nissan Patrol ahead by 27). The Lexus RX will save you roughly $2,565 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Lexus RX and Nissan Patrol?
The Nissan Patrol is the cheapest at $90,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus RX by $2,950.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus RX uses the least fuel at 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Lexus RX holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Nissan Patrol, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Nissan Patrol has the largest boot at 620L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Nissan Patrol has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan Patrol makes the most power at 298kW. The Nissan Patrol is quickest to 100km/h in 6.6s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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