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Lexus NX vs Volkswagen T-ROC

What's the difference?

VS
Lexus NX
Lexus NX

$59,888 - $95,999

2023 price

Volkswagen T-ROC
Volkswagen T-ROC

$34,270 - $73,390

2023 price

Summary

2023 Lexus NX
2023 Volkswagen T-ROC
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.5L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
6.9L/100km (combined)

8.0L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Driver-assist tech could use some Aussie road tuning
  • Hard to tell apart from previous design
  • NX 250 engine needs the open road to truly shine

  • Missing blind-spot warning and rear-cross traffic alert
  • Expensive servicing
  • Tight on rear legroom
2023 Lexus NX Summary

As far as clichés go, attempting to make “a silk purse from a sow’s ear” couldn’t be more apt than when contemplating the original NX of 2014.

What was essentially the Lexus-fication of the vocal, fidgety and thirsty old Toyota RAV4 may have worked a treat sales-wise, but proved trickier when assessed against the lens of a BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 rival.

The earliest NX just wasn’t refined enough.

This was especially true following the reborn RAV4 arrival in 2019, proving to be embarrassingly more competent – even compared to most luxury midsized SUV alternatives.

Now, finally, the NX redesign has followed suit, moving on to a variation of the Toyota’s stronger, quieter and more advanced TNGA architecture (dubbed GA-K) as a starting base.

Speaking of which, let’s dive straight into the least-expensive version, the NX 250 Luxury 2WD auto, to find out if the most popular Lexus model in Australia has finally found its mojo.

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2023 Volkswagen T-ROC Summary

Pssst! Looking to buy a T-Roc R for six grand less? No, this isn't a fake. You're not going to have to go down a dark alley and talk to a guy in a trench coat, either. This is the real deal - the T-Roc R Grid Edition. Too good to be true?  Well, there is a catch but I think it's well worth it... now follow me down this dark alley over here.

Yes, the T-Roc Grid Edition has arrived in very limited numbers with only 300 or so coming to Australia and this mini monster comes loaded with the same 221kW (300hp) turbo-petrol engine and all-wheel drive system as the T-Roc R, plus all the engineering which makes it superb on the road and the track.

But if you're willing to look past a couple of items which have been removed, then you have found yourself a cut-price superhero rival to Audi's SQ2.

Want to hear and see what it's like to drive, too? Then watch the video above as well.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Lexus NX 2023 Volkswagen T-ROC

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