Compare

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX

2026 BMW X3 vs 2026 Lexus NX — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

BMW X3

2026 BMW X3

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS1 – 6Lexus NX wins 6 of 7 categories
Lexus NX

2026 Lexus NX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Lexus NX is more fuel-efficient: 40 vs 29 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $800 a year less in fuel for the Lexus NX (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The BMW X3 is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Lexus NX has had fewer recall campaigns (18 vs 62).

The two cars

The 2026 BMW X3 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 187 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,176 lb (30 Xdrive 4dr SUV).

The 2026 Lexus NX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,880 lb (350 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2023 X3 and the 2021 NX have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 X3 and the 2024 NX.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Hybrid
Fuel
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

29 MPG
Best combined MPG
40 MPG
27 city
City / highway MPG (best)
42 city
$2,850
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,050

Performance & space

393 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
275 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
187.4 in
Length
183.5 in
75.6 in
Width
73.6 in
65.4 in
Height
65.7 in
4,176 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,880 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
13
2
Recalls (2026)
0
62
Recalls, all years since 2005
18
22
Owner complaints (latest year)
6

Interest

24,272
Wikipedia views, 30 days
10,857

Buying used

2023
Best used year
2021
2020
Year to avoid
2024

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the BMW X3 if…

  • You want more power (up to 393 vs 275 hp)
  • You want more room (4 in longer)

Choose the Lexus NX if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (40 vs 29 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech
  • You put reliability history first (18 vs 62 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 BMW X3

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Lexus NX

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 32% better than the average 2026 small SUV (30.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 BMW X3 specs →Full 2026 Lexus NX specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →