Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid was characterized by its bold and intricate design, featuring a large, dark spindle grille and squinting LED headlights. Its aggressive front end was complemented by a sporty profile with minimal lines and rounded edges, suggesting a focus on road performance rather than off-roading. The F Sport elements, including dark trim and 20-inch wheels, added to its sporty appeal, while the fastback roof shape echoed coupe-like crossovers. Inside, the NX Hybrid combined a sporty look with modern technology, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen angled toward the driver. The F Sport 3 model stood out with its dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, offering a high-quality and upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its distinctive and elegant appearance, with a steeply angled windshield and rear window, a gently sloping roofline, and minimal creases. The pop-out door handles and wide taillight strip added trendy styling elements. The Range Rover Sport appeared narrow and tall, enhancing both off-road capability and interior headroom. The SV Carbon variant featured a two-tone hood with exposed carbon fibre and enormous 23-inch carbon wheels, showcasing its performance credibility. The interior design evolved from the previous generation, with a minimalist aesthetic that some found too sparse. Despite the abundance of black plastic, the quality of materials like the seat controls and steering wheel remained top-notch.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, was not as sporty as its name suggested. It featured adaptive dampers with Normal and Sport settings and a firmer suspension, but it wasn't built for aggressive cornering. With 18.5 centimetres of ground clearance, the SUV leaned in bends and lacked agility. The steering was weighty, especially in Sport S and Sport S+ modes, but feedback was minimal. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, delivering 240 horsepower and a 0 to 96 km/h time of 7.2 seconds. While power delivery was adequate, the drivetrain felt slushy, and the engine droned under hard acceleration. The NX 450h plug-in hybrid offered more power at 340 hp.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrains, including a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and a plug-in hybrid version with 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. A BMW-built 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 was available, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, while the SV trims boasted 626 hp. The Range Rover Sport featured adaptive dampers and air springs, allowing for impressive off-road capability and a smooth ride. The SV Carbon's handling was exceptional, with interconnected hydraulic dampers replacing anti-roll bars, reducing body roll and enhancing wheel control. The vehicle's brakes were powerful, and the ride remained comfortable in normal mode.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model offered comfortable front seats with good bolstering and ample room for tall adults. Power seat and steering wheel adjustments, along with heated and ventilated front seats, contributed to a comfortable driving experience. The rear seats provided enough space for average-sized adults, though legroom could be tight for taller passengers. The NX's cargo space was relatively low for its class, with 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with them folded down. The coupe-like roof shape limited cargo capacity compared to competitors.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided generous space for passengers, with ample legroom and headroom in all outboard positions. The seats were heated and electrically adjustable, with options for ventilation and power-reclining rear seats. The cargo space behind the rear seats was 592 litres, with 1,267 litres available when the seats were folded. However, the narrow door openings and limited cargo capacity were drawbacks. The Range Rover Sport excelled in towing capacity, with a maximum of 3,500 kilograms, and featured a range of advanced suspension components for enhanced performance.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came equipped with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was optional, along with a programmable head-up display and wireless phone charger. The Remote Connect subscription provided remote starting and vehicle status alerts. The touchscreen was angled toward the driver for easy access, and the infotainment system was responsive, with physical controls for volume and temperature.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.1-inch display with advanced software for managing occasional features like the Wade Sensing app and 4x4i app. Everyday tech, including Apple CarPlay and factory navigation, worked seamlessly. The instrument panel offered configurable layouts, and the surround-view cameras provided clear visuals. The Meridian Signature stereo was a highlight, though not as impressive as the full-size Range Rover's system.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid performed well in crash tests, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and high ratings in NHTSA tests. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including features like blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system.

The 2026 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. However, it lacked front knee airbags and other advanced airbag systems. No crash-test ratings from North American organizations were available, but the Euro NCAP awarded it a five-star rating.