Is the NX the SUV to buy in its segment, or do its rivals offer more value for money?
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- The Lexus NX is known for its competitive pricing, comfort, and standard all-wheel drive.
- The NX’s main competitors include the Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and BMW X3.
Consumer Reports has officially announced its top picks for 2026. This year’s Best Luxury Compact SUV is not an SUV from Germany’s BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but a Japanese model.
The Lexus NX, a luxury small SUV, won this title despite multiple competing models in this segment, including the Genesis GV70 and the BMW X3. USA TODAY Cars tested the NX Hybrid in the cold and snow to see where this luxury model stands in its segment.
Consumer Reports’ Best Luxury Compact SUV of the Year may be a challenge for some, but for the average American driver who enjoys comfort and the latest technology, the NX checks a few boxes.
Why Lexus NX could be the best luxury small SUV of 2026
The Lexus NX’s key strengths are its balanced pricing and specs, making it especially attractive to car buyers as new car prices reach record highs. Pricing for the 2026 Lexus NX starts at $46,120.
It’s powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 horsepower, just like its close relative, the best-selling small SUV Toyota RAV4. The 2026 NX gets 24 miles per gallon combined. All-wheel drive is standard and improves traction.
USA Today Cars found the 2026 Lexus NX comfortable and rugged. A review by U.S. News & World Report praised its “spacious seats, many standard features, composed ride and handling,” and “spirited acceleration.”
What is Lexus NX’s biggest rival?
The NX’s biggest competitors include luxury small SUVs like the Genesis GV70, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and BMW X3.
| Lexus NX | Genesis GV70 | Mercedes-Benz GLC | BMW X3 | |
| starting price | $46,120 | $48,985 | $49,550 | $51,300 |
| horsepower | 203 | 300 | 255 | 255 |
| MPG | twenty four | twenty four | 27 | 29 |
Lexus’ luxury small SUV is the most affordable of the models listed above, but it’s not the most powerful. The Genesis GV70 is significantly more powerful than many of its competitors despite being as efficient as the NX.
Edmunds calls the GV70 the best vehicle in its segment, describing it as a “knockout” and “high performance across the board.” Lexus sold an astonishing 76,836 units in 2025, compared to 33,876 units of the GV70 sold in 2025. From an expert’s perspective, the Genesis small SUV might be the better option, but the NX has a longer production history and longer reliability than the GV70.
What should you look for in a luxury small SUV?
A luxury small SUV should have a stylish exterior design, high-quality cabin materials, and plenty of modern technology to make driving safer and more convenient.
The Lexus NX outsells many of its more sophisticated and more powerful rivals because it’s well-balanced. What it lacks in power and style, it makes up for in value. Additionally, there are ample NX trim and powertrain options available to allow drivers to customize their NX to be more luxurious, powerful or efficient based on their specific preferences.
Lexus’ 2026 NX is available in four gas trims, eight hybrid trims, three plug-in hybrid trims, and four F SPORT performance-oriented trims across all of its configurations and powertrains. If you’re looking for versatility in a luxury small SUV, the NX is hard to pass up.
