Ethan Moser
· 9 min read
The affordable Mazda CX-5, the fuel-efficient Toyota RAV4, and the powerful BMW X3 are just a handful of the top compact crossover competitors you should consider in addition to the 2022 Lexus NX if you’re shopping for a new compact crossover SUV.
The Lexus badge has become synonymous with luxury and power—and the 2022 Lexus NX compact luxury crossover SUV delivers on both of these fronts. That being said, there are comparable models that offer more power, better fuel economy, and more standard infotainment and driver assistance features.
The perfect compact crossover SUV for you will ultimately come down to personal preference and budget; however, you may want to consider some of these viable alternatives to the 2022 Lexus NX—compiled in this handy guide by
Jerry
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comparison shopping app—before signing on the dotted line. We'll even help you save on your Lexus NX car insurance costs
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers1. BMW X3
Starting price:$44,695
Selling points: Surprisingly agile with a powerful inline-six cylinder powertrain option
Weak spots: Stop/start feature is clunky on base engine, dated interior styling
The all-new 2022
BMW X3
features revised styling elements including a new grille, headlamps, taillamps, and front and rear bumpers, as well as new wheel designs. Powered by either a 248-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engine or a larger 382-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter I-6 cylinder engine, the X3 is more powerful than the Lexus NX at almost every level. The I-6 engine is available as a standard feature on the X3’s top-tier M40i trim, as is an optional adaptive M suspension. The M40i also increases the X3’s base 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment and digital gauge displays to larger 12.3-inch displays. Either way, the X3 is equipped with BMW’s iDrive infotainment interface, which includes in-dash navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a singular USB port.
Additionally, the 2022 X3 xDrive30i trim adds Dynamic Damper selectable driving modes (Eco Pro, Sport, and Comfort).
2. Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Starting price: $44,900
Selling points: Well-insulated and luxurious cabin, relatively quick acceleration
Weak spot: Lower cargo capacity than rivals
Unlike the other models on our list of Lexus NX competitors, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is only available at a single trim level: the
GLC300
. The 2022 model comes standard with all-new automatic high beams, parking damage detection, and second-row USB ports with a USB-C adaptive cable. A 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive is standard, however, 4Matic all-wheel drive capabilities are available for an additional $2,000 upfront. Optional package upgrades for the GLC300 include a Premium Package that adds passive hands-free entry as well as a Leather Seating Package that replaces the model’s faux-leather upholstery with the real deal.
In addition to the GLC300’s powerful and luxurious features, the compact crossover is also remarkably safe, receiving a perfect five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) courtesy of its package of standard driver assistance technology, including forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are also available for an additional cost.
3. Acura RDX
Starting price: $40,345
Selling points: Relatively affordable base model with generous standard features
Weak spots: Infotainment touchscreen isn’t user-friendly, transmission is clumsy
Powered at all trim levels by the same 272-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engine equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the 2022
Acura RDX
is a remarkable compact crossover, even ahead of its slew of optional upgrades. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration are all standard, as is rear-wheel drive. The RDX Technology trim package adds interior ambient lighting with an outstanding 27 color options, built-in navigation, rear-seat USB ports, and a 12-speaker ELS Studio audio system, while the RDX Advance trim package offers a head-up display and adaptive dampers. Wireless smartphone charging and all-wheel drive capabilities are also available at an additional cost.
A limited run of 200 PMC Edition trim models have also been rolled out for 2022, featuring an exclusive exterior Long Beach Blue Pearl paint job and an interior Orchid color scheme.
MORE:
Acura RDX V6
4. Infiniti QX50
Starting price: $40,175
Selling points: Attractive inside and out with a roomy and comfortable cabin
Weak spot: Ordinary engine performance and a noisy transmission
While the 2022
Infiniti QX50
isn’t as fast as rival compact luxury crossovers like the Audi Q3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC300, all QX50 models come standard with a slew of desirable features including a 268-horsepower turbocharged I-4 engine equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), VC-Turbo variable compression, and selectable Dynamic and Dynamic + steering modes. Infiniti’s suite of driver assists, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist also come as standard features on all QX50 trims. The QX50 Essential trim adds a 360-degree camera system, heated front seats, front parking sensors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers while an optional Convenience Package adds a power-adjustable steering column, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and enhanced memory settings. All-wheel drive is also available for an additional $2,000.
5. Cadillac XT4
Starting price: $36,940
Selling points: Spacious, well-equipped cabin with sharp styling
Weak spot: Noisy engine with a stiff driving experience
The 2022 Cadillac XT4 is equipped with the same 235-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and nine-speed automatic transmission across each of its four unique trim levels. Front-wheel drive is standard, however, you can upgrade to all-wheel drive for an additional cost—similar to most of the compact crossover models on our list.
The XT4 Sport comes with exclusive red-painted brake calipers as well as an active suspension with active dampers, unique wheel designs, and blacked-out exterior trim accents. Meanwhile, Cadillac’s optional Comfort and Convenience package adds leather upholstery and ventilated and heated front seats.
All XT4 models come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display equipped with Cadillac’s CUE software, which includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, onboard Wi-Fi, and a seven-speaker audio system. That being said, an optional Technology package upgrade adds built-in satellite navigation, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, as well as a digital instruments cluster, a head-up display, and a wireless smartphone charging pad—though these upgrades are only available on the XT4 Premium Luxury and XT4 Sport trims.
MORE: Is there a self-driving Cadillac?
6. Toyota RAV4
Starting price: $28,310
Selling points: Cheaper and more fuel efficient than luxury SUV rivals
Weak spot: Less luxurious with a boring and noisy engine
While the 2022
Toyota RAV4
isn’t exactly the luxury compact crossover SUV competitor you might imagine for the Lexus NX, we’ve included it on our list due to the fact that the two models share the exact same 203-horsepower 2.5-liter I-4 engine, as well as an optional hybrid powertrain upgrade. Standard RAV4 features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Built-in navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a JBL premium audio system are all included as optional upgrades.
While not standard on the base RAV4 LE, all-wheel-drive capabilities become a standard feature starting with the RAV4 Adventure trim. The RAV4 XLE Premium trim adds 19-inch wheels, a power liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux-leather upholstery, and a matching leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
Hybrid RAV4 models are powered by a 2.5-liter I-4 engine combined with dual electric motors for a total output of 219 horsepower and a combined gas-electric fuel economy of 94 MPGe. While the standard gas-powered RAV4 caps at $38,250 for the most expensive TRD Off Road model, the most expensive hybrid RAV4 Prime XSE boasts an MSRP of $44,960.
7. Audi Q3
Starting price: $37,595 to $43,195
Selling points: Plenty of standard technology
Weak spots: Lower passenger and cargo capacity than rival models
The 2022
Audi Q3
offers drivers the options between either a 184-horsepower or 228-horsepower turbocharged I-4 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive capabilities. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and aluminum interior accents have also been added as standard features for 2022. The Q3 Premium Plus 40 and 45 both add a 360-degree camera system, wireless smartphone charging pad, passive entry with push-button start, LED headlamps, and adaptive cruise control as standard features. Drivers can also avail of Audi’s optional Convenience package which equips the Q3 with eight-way power front seats with memory settings, auto-dimming exterior folding mirrors, and an integrated garage door opener.
An 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display is equipped with Audi’s MMI infotainment system, which comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, while additional upgrades like SiriusXM internet radio and a 15-speaker, 680-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system are available at an additional charge.
8. Mazda CX-5
Starting price: $27,472
Selling points: Athletic performance capabilities
Weak spots: Base engine is lackluster, unremarkable cargo and towing capacity
The 2022
Mazda CX-5
has the lowest base MSRP of any compact crossover SUV on our list of Lexus NX competitors, including the Toyota RAV4, at just $27,472. While a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive capabilities are standard on every CX-5 trim—of which there are eight—drivers are able to choose between a base 187-horsepower I-4 engine or a more powerful 256-horsepower turbocharged I-4 engine. Drivers can also access remote vehicle functions via Mazda’s smartphone app thanks to Mazda Connected Services. Meanwhile, the CX-5’s suite of standard driver assistance technology, including automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control have helped to earn the model a perfect five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA.
Lexus NX vs. the competition
Check out our side-by-side comparison of the 2022 Lexus NX with its most viable rivals.
Model | Starting price range | Engine options | Maximum seating capacity | Maximum cargo volume | Maximum towing capacity | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Lexus NX | $39,425 to $58,475 | I-4, Turbo-4, hybrid, PHEV | 5 | 54.5 cubic feet | 4,400 lbs | 22/29/25 |
2022 BMW X3 | $44,695 to $58,795 | Turbo-4, Turbo-6 | 5 | 62.7 cubic feet | 4,400 lbs | 22/29/25 |
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class | $44,900 | Turbo-4 | 5 | 56.5 cubic feet | 3,500 lbs | 21/28/24 |
2022 Acura RDX | $40,345 to $55,295 | Turbo-4 | 5 | 79.8 cubic feet | 1,500 lbs | 21/26/23 |
2022 Infiniti QX50 | $40,175 to $58,125 | Turbo-4 | 5 | 65.1 cubic feet | 3,000 lbs | 23/29/26 |
2022 Cadillac XT4 | $36,940 to $43,040 | Turbo-4 | 5 | 48.9 cubic feet | 3,500 lbs | 22/29/24 |
2022 Toyota RAV4 | $28,310 to $38,250 | I-4, hybrid | 5 | 69.6 cubic feet | 1,750 lbs | 25/32/28 |
2022 Audi Q3 | $37,595 to $43,195 | Turbo-4 | 5 | 48.0 cubic feet | 4,400 lbs | 19/27/22 |
2022 Mazda CX-5 | $27,472 to $40,225 | I-4, Turbo-4 | 5 | 30.8 cubic feet | 2,000 lbs | 22/27/24 |
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