Lexus NX vs Genesis GV80

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was a testament to sophisticated design, offering two engine options and four trims in Canada. The top Prestige trim, featuring a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged engine, stood out with its refined aesthetics. Genesis maintained its signature two horizontal bar headlights, now enhanced with a micro lens array, and a more pronounced grille. The rear design changes were subtle, but the new Storr Green colour added a fresh touch. Inside, the GV80 impressed with quilted Nappa leather seats and unique interior accents, including basalt and recycled newspaper trims. The centre console was thoughtfully designed, though the redundant infotainment dial seemed unnecessary given the touchscreen's ease of use.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus NX retained a fresh appearance despite being a few years into its second generation. The design integrated chunky fenders, LED headlights, and the distinctive spindle grille, which was more refined than its German counterparts. The NX offered non-hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models, with various packages enhancing its appeal. However, the base NX 350's interior felt underwhelming compared to its Toyota RAV4 sibling, despite sport seats and an F Sport steering wheel. The NX's design and luxury expectations didn't quite align, leaving some room for improvement in its overall presentation.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 retained its powertrain options, with a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The top trim featured a more powerful twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. All trims came with standard all-wheel drive, capable of sending up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels. The GV80 offered a satisfying acceleration experience, with a burly engine sound at full throttle. While the Sport mode enhanced suspension and throttle response, the GV80 was best suited for comfortable cruising rather than sporty driving. The brakes were firm and reliable, ensuring confident stops even on rough roads.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrain options, but the standard NX 350 F Sport 3's 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, felt more suited to a pickup truck. The eight-speed automatic transmission lacked urgency, making the quoted 7.0-second zero to 100 km/h time challenging to achieve. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models promised better performance on paper, with the latter boasting 304 horsepower and a 6.1-second zero to 100 km/h time. However, the NX's chassis tuning and firm dampers compromised ride quality, making it less engaging to drive compared to its competitors.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 offered a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The top trim added four-zone climate control and ventilated seats, though the seats themselves were uncomfortably rigid. The GV80 accommodated five passengers, with the option for a third row in the Prestige trim. The second row provided ample legroom, but the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was expected to be similar to the 2024 model's 990 litres, and the GV80 could tow up to 2,720 kilograms.

The 2026 Lexus NX provided competitive passenger space, though it fell short in rear-seat legroom compared to rivals. The front seats felt constrained, with limited headroom and hindered visibility due to the deep dashboard and large mirrors. The F Sport 3 package's sport seats offered comfort but were unnecessary given the NX's performance. Cargo space measured 643 litres with the rear seats up and 1,328 litres with them folded, trailing behind competitors. The NX's towing capacity was limited to 907 kilograms, but it featured convenient centre console cupholders.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 featured a 27-inch OLED screen for its digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available later. The infotainment system's menus could be cumbersome, but a programmable favourite button offered some relief. Standard tech included wireless charging and four USB-C ports, while the top trim added a 12-inch head-up display. The 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system provided an impressive audio experience, surpassing previous Lexicon setups.

The 2026 Lexus NX came with a standard 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher packages included a 14-inch display. All models featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and six USB ports. Additional tech required data connectivity packages, offering features like cloud-based navigation and digital key functionality. The 14-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, though fan speed adjustments were awkward. The voice recognition system offered some convenience but had limitations in functionality.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was equipped with advanced driver aids, including lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring. Upper trims added features like remote smart parking and a 360-degree camera system. The Highway Drive Assist II system included an attention monitor, though it struggled with certain sunglasses. The GV80's safety ratings were not yet available, but the previous model received high marks from the NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2026 Lexus NX featured the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane centring assist. Additional features included park assist and a 360-degree camera system. The NX received a 2025 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, though it missed the highest accolade due to an "Acceptable" score in one crash test. NHTSA ratings were not yet available for the current-generation NX.