Compare the2025 Porsche MacanVS 2025 Lexus NX

The Porsche Macan has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The NX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Macan has a standard Multi-collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The NX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan. But it costs extra on the NX.

Both the Macan and the NX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the NX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

The battery on the Macan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Macan’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The NX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The NX isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is rated lower.

The Macan has more powerful engines than the NX:

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the NX 350 AWD 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the Macan’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the NX 350h/450h.

Both the Macan and the NX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Macan’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The NX 350h/450h+ doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Macan has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX (19.8 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The NX doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The NX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Macan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the NX:

The Macan stops much shorter than the NX:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 235/60R18).

The Macan’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX’s standard 60 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the NX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the NX. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the NX.

The Macan has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the NX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The NX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan’s wheelbase is 4.6 inches longer than on the NX (110.5 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The Macan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.7% to 44.3%) than the NX’s (57.7% to 42.3%). This gives the Macan more stable handling and braking.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the NX 350 AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD (8 vs. 7.7 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is .8 inch higher than on the NX (8.9 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The NX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the NX with its rear seat folded (53.1 vs. 46.9 cubic feet).

The Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX’s (4409 vs. 0 pounds).

The Macan has a higher standard payload capacity than the NX (1288 vs. 1125 lbs.).

The Macan has a higher maximum payload capacity than the NX (1383 vs. 1205 lbs.).

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the NX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the NX, the Macan offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the NX.

The power windows standard on both the Macan and the NX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Macan is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The NX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The NX’s optional cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Macan’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Macan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The NX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Porsche Macan has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Lexus charges extra for Homelink® on the NX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Macan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the NX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Macan and the Lexus NX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The NX isn’t in the top three.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 7 more times in the last 9 years. The NX has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.