Lexus NX Hybrid vs Acura ADX

The 2025 Acura ADX, despite sharing its platform with the Honda HR-V, distinguished itself with unique Acura styling. Its striking pentagonal grille, diamond-patterned mesh, and LED lighting elements contributed to its sporty and premium appearance. The ADX's exterior was further enhanced by features like vent-like creases, a hatch-top wing, and dual exhaust outlets. The interior maintained Acura's premium feel, with the A-Spec trim offering a vibrant red interior that extended across the dash and door cards. The use of textured shiny black trim reduced glare and fingerprints, adding to the upscale experience.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, particularly the NX 350h F Sport 3, exhibited an over-stylized design with its aggressive spindle grille and squinting LED headlights. The profile was sporty yet less extroverted, with rounded edges and body-coloured fender flares. The F Sport elements, including dark trim and 20-inch wheels, added to its sporty appeal. Inside, the NX combined a sporty look with modern technology, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen. The F Sport 3's interior was enhanced by dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, creating a high-quality and sturdy feel.

The 2025 Acura ADX was equipped with a 1.5-litre VTEC turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. While not the most powerful in its class, it offered adequate performance for everyday tasks and spirited driving on twisty roads. The ADX featured multiple drive modes, including Sport, Normal, Comfort, and Snow, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. The Platinum Elite A-Spec trim added an Individual mode for further customization. Visibility was excellent, and noise cancellation measures ensured a quiet cabin. However, for those prioritizing fuel economy, a hybrid competitor like the Lexus UX 300h might be more appealing.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, delivering 240 horsepower. While not particularly sporty, it offered controlled handling and a firm yet comfortable ride. The hybrid system provided standard all-wheel drive, with a 7.2-second 0 to 96 km/h acceleration time. The power delivery was smooth but not exhilarating, and the drivetrain felt slushy under hard acceleration. The NX 450h plug-in hybrid offered more power for those seeking a performance boost.

The 2025 Acura ADX offered a premium interior with leatherette seating surfaces and microsuede accents in higher trims. The heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, along with heated and ventilated front seats, added to the comfort. The ADX provided ample headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats, surpassing competitors like the Lexus UX and BMW X1. Cargo space was generous, with 690 litres behind the rear seats and 1,560 litres with them folded down. Standard features included a power tailgate, dual-zone climate control, and rear-seat vents.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model featured well-bolstered front seats with power adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats offered enough space for average-sized adults, though legroom could be tight for taller passengers. 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 roofline contributed to the limited cargo capacity, but the NX remained practical for everyday use.

The 2025 Acura ADX boasted a comprehensive infotainment system with a nine-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charging pad. The top Platinum Elite A-Spec trim added Alexa Built-In, Google Built-In, HD Radio, and a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The system's user-friendly interface and physical volume knob were appreciated, and the beosonic app allowed for easy sound customization.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came standard with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM satellite radio, were included. Optional features included a head-up display, wireless phone charger, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The infotainment system was responsive, with a volume dial and embedded temperature controls for convenience. A Remote Connect subscription provided additional connectivity features.

The 2025 Acura ADX featured the AcuraWatch suite, offering adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot information, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the ADX aimed to achieve high safety ratings similar to the Honda HR-V.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid earned the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and performed well in crash tests. The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite included blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, and more. Optional features like automatic parking and a surround-view camera system enhanced safety. The adaptive cruise control was effective but required some familiarity with the controls.