Compare the2025 Lexus NXVS 2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the NX’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the NX has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Parking Support Brake, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE, and isn't offered on other Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid models.

The NX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the NX and the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the NX is safer than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is safer than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

The Lexus NX has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid was last only a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023 but no longer qualifies.

The NX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The NX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked second.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Toyota is ranked third.

As tested in Consumer Reports the NX 450h+ AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the NX 350h running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (41 city/37 hwy vs. 40 city/36 hwy).

The NX stops much shorter than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the NX has larger tires than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid (235/60R18 vs. 225/60R18).

The NX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the NX offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The NX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The NX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The NX 350 AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The NX 350 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 600 pounds less than the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid.

The NX has .6 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front hip room and 4.8 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the NX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The NX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 46% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 21st.

The NX’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Smart Key System is not available on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE.

The NX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s power window (except driver window), power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The NX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the NX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Lexus NX and Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The NX features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The NX 350/350h/450h+’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The NX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus NX and the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.