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Lexus NX vs Volvo XC60

What's the difference?

VS
Lexus NX
Lexus NX

$59,888 - $95,999

2023 price

Volvo XC60
Volvo XC60

$73,990 - $101,990

2024 price

Summary

2023 Lexus NX
2024 Volvo XC60
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 2.5L

Turbo 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

-
Fuel Efficiency
6.9L/100km (combined)

7.6L/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

  • Cabins of rivals have more visual impact
  • The stop/start idling feature can be clumsy
  • Option packs are expensive
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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2024 Volvo XC60 Summary

Volvo is a brand that has some strong images associated with it. High-end safety, five km/h below the speed-limit-driving-styles, sitting close to the steering wheel, sweater-sets, ‘bloody Volvo driver’ expletives… ahem (present company excluded, of course).

Those who are watching the brand closely know those images are almost defunct because that’s old Volvo and this is new Volvo.

Comfort and safety still appear to be at the top of the brand's priority list but style is being retuned to make this medium-sized SUV a true competitor against its luxury rivals, the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Lexus NX.

I’ve been family-testing the new Ultimate B5 Bright grade for the last few weeks and have thrown road-trips, kids and pets at it!

In this review I’ll unpack how the XC60 has handled life with my family of three.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Lexus NX 2024 Volvo XC60

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