With almost 400,000 examples sold last year, the Toyota RAV4 is currently one of the best-sold Toyota models and the best-selling compact crossover SUV. The SUV is offered with three different powertrains: gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid, and while the gas-powered model is on the top choices list for consumers, the plug-in hybrid - also known as the RAV4 Prime - is enjoying increased success. Built on the same platform with it, the Lexus NX aims at clients with more money that want to enjoy the same performance figures, albeit with a nicer and more luxurious interior. And while NX 450h+ sales are not as impressive as the Prime’s; things are changing over the year.
1 The NX450h+ And RAV4 Prime Are Mechanically The Same
The current Lexus NX and the RAV4 are built on the same TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform, so it is no wonder they both share the same powertrain. Both the RAV4 Prime and the NX 450h+ are powered by a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine combined with two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor generators. The four-cylinder engine delivers a total of 177 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque, while the electric motors are limited to 179 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. In both SUVs, this system delivers a combined 302 horsepower.
2 The RAV4 Prime Has More All-Electric Range
In both models, the electric motors get their power from an 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, but in the RAV4 Prime, it delivers an all-electric range of 42 miles, while in the NX 450h+ is limited to only 37 miles. But is not only the all-electric range - in general, the RAV4 Prime is the more efficient crossover. It delivers a combined 94 MPGe, while in the NX 450h+ this number goes down to 84 MPGe, and, according to EPA, the RAV4 Prime has a combined fuel economy of 38 mpg, while the NX 450h+ is estimated at 37 mpg. Both models come with a standard 3.3 kW onboard charger, while a 6.6 kW is offered as an option. With the first one, it takes four and a half hours to recharge the battery, while with the optional one, the time goes down to two and a half hours.
3 The RAV4 Prime Is Faster
According to Lexus, the NX450h+ can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and can hit a top speed of 124 mph - numbers that place it under other plug-in models from the same class. Take the Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid, for example, which needs only 5.0 seconds for the same sprint. However, during their test drive, the guy over at Edmunds managed to accelerate the plug-in SUV from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds - a slight improvement over the official numbers. As for the RAV4 Prime, it needs only 5.7 seconds to do the same sprint and can hit the same 124 mph top speed. While these are the official numbers, in real life, the Rav4 Prime is in fact a lot faster: MotorTrend was able to sprint the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, and run the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 98.7 mph.
4 Nearly The Same Size, But The RAV4 Prime Offers More Interior Room
The RAV4 Prime and the NX 450h+ are built on the same 105.9-inch wheelbase, but the Lexus SUV is slightly bigger. It measures 183.5 inches in length, 73.4 inches in width and 65.8 inches in height. On the other hand, the RAV4 Prime is 180.9 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 67 inches tall. But, despite the NX 450h+ being just a bit longer, things are completely different on the interior. In terms of interior room, is the RAV4 Prime that wins the contest. It offers 37.7 inches of headroom up front, and 39.5 inches in the back. Legroom is 41 inches for the front seats, and 37.8 inches for the second row of seats. As for the shoulder room, numbers indicate 57.8 inches up front and 56.4 inches in the back. The Lexus NX 450h+ on the other hand has headroom of 38.3 inches up front and 38.5 inches in the back; legroom is 41.0 inches for the front seats and 36.1 inches for the rear ones, while shoulder room is 56.3 inches up front and 54.0 inches in the back.
5 The Toyota RAV4 Prime Has A Bigger Trunk
Both the Toyota RAV4 and the Lexus NX have a very generous space, but because of the battery pack in both the Prime and the NX 450h+, the cargo space is smaller when compared to their gas-powered siblings. The RAV4 Prime offers up to 33.4 cubic feet with the seats up and 63.1 cubic feet with the seats down. By comparison, this is a little under the gas-powered RAV4 rated at 37.5 cubic feet with the seats up and 69.8 cubic feet with the seats down. Still, the RAV4 Prime offers a better interior room when compared to the NX 450h+. The latter is rated at 22.7 cubic feet with the seats up and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.
6 The RAV4 Prime Is Lighter, But Can Tow More Than The Lexus
When looking from the outside, it is easy to notice that the RAV4 Prime features a very boxy, aggressive exterior look, while the NX 450h+ looks more elegant. When looking at the two you would expect the Toyota SUV to be the heaviest one, but things are completely opposite. The RAV4 Prime weighs anywhere between 4,235 to 4,300 pounds, while the NX 450h+ goes up to 4,475 pounds. It may not look like a lot, but this is also one of the reasons why the RAV4 Prime is a lot more agile. In terms of towing, the RAV4 Prime wins again with a total capacity of 2,500 pounds, while the NX 450h+ is rated at only 2,000 pounds. The RAV4 Prime's towing capacity is not only higher than the NX 450h+, but it also has one the highest towing capacity in the RAV4 lineup. The gas-powered RAV4 is rated at 1,500 pounds, while the RAV4 Hybrid is at 1,750 pounds. The RAV4 TRD Off-Road is the only one more capable with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
7 The RAV4 Prime Is Also The Better Off-Roader
The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best off-roaders in its class, and the optional Off-Road package makes it even better. Of course, do not expect the RAV4 Prime to be as good as a rock crawler as the RAV4 TRD, but it still does very well. The Prime trim has a ground clearance of 8.1 inches in the SE trim and 8.3 inches in the XSE trim - which is a little bit better than NX's 7.7 inches. The RAV4 Prime also has an approach angle of 18.6 degrees and a departure angle of 21.4 degrees, while the Lexus NX is rated at 16 degrees and 25 degrees respectively. Tests have revealed that the RAV4 Prime is a better off-roader when in the all-electric mode because the "electric torque also makes for very precise off-road control."
8 The Lexus NX450h+ Has The Nicer Cabin
There was no doubt that the NX 450h+ is going to have a nicer interior - it is a Lexus after all. It comes with a 14-inch multimedia display, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 12.3-inch HD customizable display. The RAV4 Prime offers similar equipment, but in the Toyota SUV, the multimedia display is only 10.5 inches. The NX is offered with synthetic leather upholstery, heated and eight-way power-adjustable front seats as standard, while as an option customers can also go with genuine leather upholstery, sport front seats, with ventilation and 10-way power-adjustable function. On the other hand, the RAV4 Prime comes with cloth upholstery as standard, while synthetic leather upholstery is offered as an option. Both SUVs can also be had with a panoramic moonroof that offers ample natural light for both front and rear passengers.
9 The NX 450h+ Has More Standard Safety Features
Both the RAV4 Prime and the NX 450h+ are very safe cars. The first one received the Top Safety Pick award from IIHS, while the latest was rated Top Safety Pick+. Also, both models received five-star rating from EuroNCAP, with very good ratings for both adult and child passengers. But, despite having almost similar safety ratings, the Lexus SUV has a longer list of safety features. Both models offer standard feature traction control, brake assist, stability control, blind spot monitor, and more, but the NX 450h+ adds a few other options that are not available in the RAV4 Prime. The list includes cross-traffic alert, front collision mitigation, driver monitoring, evasion assist, and rear collision mitigation.
10 The Lexus NX 450h+ Is A Lot More Expensive
For the 2023 model year, customers can choose between two different RAV4 Prime trims: SE priced at $42,340, and XSE priced at $46,210. The same goes for the 2023 Lexus NX 450h+: it can be had in standard configuration with a starting price of $58,655 or with the additional F Sport trim when it costs $59,905. For two models that are almost alike, the difference in price is huge, so it is no wonder the RAV4 is enjoying better sales. In fact, the RAV4 is currently Toyota's best-sold vehicle, and the Prime is part of it with almost 20,000 units sold in 2022. In comparison, Lexus only sold a little over 3,500 NX 450h+ units in the same year.