Lexus NX300H vs Subaru Forester
What's the difference?

Lexus NX300H

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2022 price

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Subaru Forester

$43,490 - $55,990

2026 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Summary

2022 Lexus NX300H

2026 Subaru Forester

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.5L

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Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

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Fuel Efficiency

6.9L/100km (combined)

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Seating

Likes

Powertrain choice
Cabin presentation
Design

Nice interior
Refined on-road
Suitably capable off-road

Dislikes

Still some road noise
Some fiddly dashboard switchgear remain
Australian road tuning would make it even better

Sluggish acceleration
Needs all-terrain tyres
Intrusive driver alert system

2022 Lexus NX300H Summary

One of the great, unsung success stories over the last few years has been the Lexus NX.

Out since 2014, it turned Toyota's ailing luxury brand around, connecting with buyers gravitating towards luxury midsized SUVs like the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC and Volvo XC60. Today, no school run is complete without them!

Now there's an all-new one. And, as Lexus' bestseller by far, any new NX is a big deal. The recipe is much the same – including petrol, turbo and hybrid versions – but with fresher and better ingredients. Plus, there's also a new plug-in hybrid flagship to really shake things up.

Is it time to cancel your order for that German, British or Swedish luxury midsized SUV? Keep reading to find out...

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2026 Subaru Forester Summary

The sixth-generation of Subaru’s Forester has landed and while the new hybrid versions constitute the biggest news of this batch, the petrol-only variants should not be ignored.

The five-seat mid-size SUV has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder 'boxer' engine, Subaru’s well-regarded 'symmetrical all-wheel drive' system and some new changes inside and out.

So, does the top-spec Touring offer the best value-for-money in the petrol Forester line-up?

Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2022 Lexus NX300H 2026 Subaru Forester

Verdict

The all-new NX is a massive step forward over its popular predecessor.

In every way, it is an improvement, with better refinement, comfort, performance, efficiency, safety and choice.

Indeed, look out, Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volvo: the NX has finally come of age. If we were in the market for a luxury medium-sized SUV, we'd definitely have the Lexus on our shortlist, especially the incredibly efficient hybrids.

Europe, you've been warned.

Verdict

The MY26 Subaru Forester packs plenty of punch in terms of standard features, a roomy and functional interior and overall driveability. Sure, it’s not the most exciting vehicle to drive on- or off-road but to get stuck on that is to miss the point entirely. This is a decent all-rounder with a solid background and an AWD system that long ago set the gold standard for vehicles of this type.

In a tough mid-size SUV market segment aimed more at those intent on driving through car parks rather than adventuring through national parks, the Forester offers greater versatility than most and should not be ignored.

Lexus NX300H vs Subaru Forester What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Lexus NX300H vs Subaru Forester
What's the difference?