Compare the2026 Lexus NXVS 2026 Hyundai Tucson

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Lexus NX has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Hyundai Tucson which scored only a “Marginal” in these critical safety features.

The Lexus NX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Hyundai Tucson does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the NX and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus NX is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	NX	Tucson
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	43	71
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	96 lbs.	223 lbs.
Hip Force	238 lbs.	440 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	47 G’s	59 G’s
Hip Force	600 lbs.	751 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is safer than the Tucson:

	NX	Tucson
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	9 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.1 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.38 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus NX’s reliability 23 points higher than the Tucson.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the NX second among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Tucson isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

Engine

The NX 350h AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (240 vs. 187) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 88 more horsepower (275 vs. 187) and 139 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 178) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The NX 450h+ Premium AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 117 more horsepower (304 vs. 187) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 350h AWD is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

	NX	Tucson
Zero to 60 MPH	7 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89 MPH	83.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX running on electricity gets better mileage than the Tucson:

			MPGe
NX
	AWD	450h+ Premium AWD Electric Motors	93 city/75 hwy
Tucson
			MPG
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Tucson:

			MPG
NX
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/38 hwy
	AWD	350h AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h+ Premium AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
Tucson
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Tucson can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the NX 350h/450h’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Tucson doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Transmission

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tucson doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The NX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Tucson are solid, not vented.

The NX stops shorter than the Tucson:

	NX	Tucson
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	130 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The NX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson’s standard 65 series tires. The NX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Tucson Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the NX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tucson. The NX’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Tucson Limited.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Tucson doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The NX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Tucson’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the NX’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Tucson’s (38 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the NX. The Tucson doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The NX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Tucson uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 70% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

Ergonomics

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Tucson does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The NX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The NX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Tucson doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The NX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Tucson’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Tucson doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Tucson doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The NX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Tucson offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Lexus NX and Hyundai Tucson offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The NX features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Tucson’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The NX has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited.

Both the NX and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the NX has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lexus NX retains 61.59% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 54.08% resale value of the 2025 Hyundai Tucson after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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