2026 Lexus NX vs. 2026 Toyota RAV4

TrueCar's market data shows buyers currently pay $42,711 on average for the Lexus NX against $33,223 for the Toyota RAV4, a $13,075 real-world gap, and TrueCar users rate the RAV4 higher, 4.38 out of 5 against 4.18 for the NX. CarGurus gives the 2026 RAV4 a 6.8/10 overall rating against 7.0/10 for the NX, and says Toyota expects the new RAV4 to achieve 44 mpg combined, while carcody.com cites a Lexus estimate of 41 city/37 highway/39 combined mpg for the NX hybrid against Toyota's own 47 city/40 highway figure for the RAV4. Choose the RAV4 for the lower price, higher owner rating and better mpg; choose the NX for CarGurus' slightly higher overall score.

Which to choose, and why

Price and owner ratings

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says its market data shows buyers currently pay $42,711 on average for the Lexus NX and $33,223 for the Toyota RAV4, narrowing the real-world gap to $13,075, and that TrueCar users rate the Lexus NX 4.18 out of 5 against 4.38 for the Toyota RAV4.

CarGurus scores and fuel economy

CarGurus (opens in a new tab) gives the 2026 Toyota RAV4 an overall rating of 6.8 out of 10 against 7.0 out of 10 for the 2026 Lexus NX, and says Toyota expected the RAV4 to achieve 44 mpg combined with FWD and AWD. carcody.com (opens in a new tab) cites Toyota's 2026 RAV4 model page estimate of 47 city/40 highway mpg against Lexus's 41 city/37 highway/39 combined mpg headline estimate for the NX hybrid.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Lexus NX or the Toyota RAV4?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the RAV4, with buyers paying $33,223 on average against $42,711 for the NX, a $13,075 gap.

Which has the higher CarGurus overall rating, the NX or the RAV4?

CarGurus (opens in a new tab) gives the NX a 7.0/10 against 6.8/10 for the RAV4.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Lexus NX: 4 records · Toyota RAV4: 6 records.

Decision field	Lexus NX	Toyota RAV4
Exact EPA records	4	6
Model / option labels	4	5
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	2.4L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid	2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid
Transmissions	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (S8)	Automatic (AV-S6), Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel types	Premium	Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	24–40 MPG/MPGe	38–43 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$2000–3300 per year	$1500–1700 per year

Head to head

Lexus NX vs. Toyota RAV4: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Lexus NX	Toyota RAV4
Starting price (KBB base)	$46,070	$33,350
Top trim price (KBB base)	$64,125	$44,750
Horsepower	181-275 hp	183 hp
Torque	169-317 lb-ft	163 lb-ft
0 to 60 mph	6-7.2 sec	n/a
Curb weight	4,035-4,475 lb	3,920 lb
Length	183.5 in	181-182 in
Wheelbase	105.9 in	105.9 in
Cargo volume	46.9 cu ft	70.4 cu ft
Towing capacity	2,000 lb	1,750-3,500 lb
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	3 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Toyota RAV4 starts $12,720 lower: $33,350 against $46,070 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Lexus NX leads: 275 hp against 183 hp.
On peak torque, the Lexus NX leads: 317 lb-ft against 163 lb-ft.
The Toyota RAV4 is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 3,920 lb against 4,035 lb.
On length, the Lexus NX leads: 183.5 in against 182 in.
Both list the same wheelbase: 105.9 in.
On cargo volume, the Toyota RAV4 leads: 70.4 cu ft against 46.9 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Toyota RAV4 leads: 3,500 lb against 2,000 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Lexus NX leads: 4 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Lexus NX and the Toyota RAV4.

2026 Lexus NX

The Lexus NX is a compact luxury crossover SUV sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota. Introduced in late 2014, it is positioned between the subcompact UX and the mid-size RX in Lexus’ crossover SUV lineup. According to Lexus, the name "NX" stands for "Nimble Crossover".

Source: Lexus NX (Wikipedia)

Recent recalls (6 campaigns across the latest model years)

March 2026, Back Over Prevention:Software. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
February 2025, Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Webbing. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Lexus NX250, NX350, NX350 Hybrid, 2024-2025 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, and RX500 Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center seat belt webbing may be damaged. As such, these vehicles fail to… Consequence: A damaged seat belt may not adequately restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

2026 Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Having sold over 15 million units worldwide as of 2025, the RAV4 is the best-selling SUV of all time. The car is credited with popularizing compact crossover automobiles, often credited as the first modern compact crossover SUV.

Source: Toyota RAV4 (Wikipedia)

Safety. The second-generation RAV4, known as the XA20 series, went on sale in July 2000. Like the previous model, the XA20 was available in three- and five-door configurations and was constructed on a platform that shared Carina and Corolla elements. Development began in 1995, with a design freeze in the first half of 1998.

Powertrain. In September 2019, Teknikens Värld ran both the petrol and hybrid versions of the RAV4 on the moose test, where both vehicles failed. The testers noted "dangerous behavior" on the cone course, and that the electronic stability control "engaged very late", causing both vehicles to hop up on their outer tyres multiple times during the test.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Toyota RAV4 overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)

April 2026, Seats:Critical Fasteners. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 RAV 4 vehicles. The front seat brackets for the seat rails may be welded improperly. Consequence: Improperly welded seat brackets can prevent the seat from adequately restraining an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
September 2025, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and… Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Owners filed 87 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Toyota RAV4, most often about unknown or other (23), electrical system (15), engine (13).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Lexus NX4 configurations →02 · 2026Toyota RAV46 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

12 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Lexus NX or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?

Efficiency

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (40.5 vs. the 2026 Lexus NX's 32 MPG/MPGe).