Verdict
The newer Lexus NX AZ20 costs RM82,000 more at RM395,888, and its annual road tax is RM830 against RM439, but it brings a hybrid-assisted 2.5-litre powertrain, an eight-speed Direct Shift automatic and a longer 2,690 mm wheelbase. The outgoing Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift remains the quicker one: its 2.0-litre turbo makes 235 hp and 350 Nm for 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, versus 184 hp, 221 Nm and 7.7 seconds. Used-car buyers also get a larger 550-litre boot. The AZ20 is the more richly specified choice, not the faster or cheaper one.
Pick the Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift if you want the RM313,888 entry point, 350 Nm turbo shove and a 550-litre boot.
Pick the Lexus NX AZ20 if you will pay RM395,888 for hybrid assistance, a 14-inch screen, panoramic camera and blind-spot monitoring.
Key differences
- Price: Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift RM313,888; Lexus NX AZ20 RM395,888.
- Power and torque: Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift 235 hp and 350 Nm; Lexus NX AZ20 184 hp and 221 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift 7.1 seconds; Lexus NX AZ20 7.7 seconds.
- Transmission: Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift six-speed automatic; Lexus NX AZ20 eight-speed Direct Shift automatic.
- Wheelbase and boot: Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift 2,660 mm and 550 litres; Lexus NX AZ20 2,690 mm and 520 litres.
- Wheels: Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift 18-inch alloys with 225/60R18 tyres; Lexus NX AZ20 20-inch alloys with 235/50R20 tyres.
1st Gen Facelift
- RM82,000 lower purchase price
- Quicker 7.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 550-litre boot
- No blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert or TPMS
- Smaller eight-inch screen with eight speakers, against 14 inches and 10 speakers
- Six-speed automatic versus the AZ20's eight-speed unit
AZ20
- Hybrid-assisted 2.5-litre powertrain with two motors
- 14-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and navigation
- Panoramic view camera, head-up display and contactless powered boot
- RM82,000 higher purchase price
- Slower 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Smaller 520-litre boot
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM313,888✓ | RM395,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM439✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC direct injection with twin-scroll turbocharger, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,998 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 235 hp at 4,800 rpm✓ | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 350 Nm at 1,650 rpm✓ | 221 Nm at 4,300 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | 86 mm × 86 mm | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10 | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 133 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 208 Nm✓ |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6-Speed AT | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 6 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Aisin | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.1 seconds✓ | 7.7 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 200 km/h |
| Co2 | 183 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,630 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,870 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,765 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 56 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 550 litres✓ | 520 litres |
| Front Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/60R18 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Yokohama BlueEarth E51 | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Japan (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Double Wishbones | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" 5-spoke Alloy | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 5-spoke Alloy | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 8 (Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Passenger Cushion, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | For All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | 3 LED Projectors | 3 LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats, Memory Function for Driver, Heated and Ventilated | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | Manual recline, 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (Touch Controls) | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Lexus Display Audio CD/MP3 Player with Bluetooth and 8 Speakers | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
1st Gen Facelift vs AZ20 FAQ
Is the Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift or Lexus NX AZ20 better?
The Lexus NX AZ20 is better equipped, with blind-spot monitoring, a panoramic camera, head-up display and 14-inch infotainment. The Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift is quicker, has 30 litres more boot space and costs RM82,000 less.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX AZ20 costs RM395,888, which is RM82,000 more than the Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift at RM313,888. Annual road tax is also RM830 versus RM439.
Which Lexus NX is faster?
The Lexus NX 1st Gen Facelift is faster, reaching 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds. Its 2.0-litre turbo produces 235 hp and 350 Nm, while the AZ20 records 7.7 seconds with 184 hp and 221 Nm.
