The 2025 Lexus NX and BMW X3 are compact luxury SUVs that stand out for their agility, safety, and high-quality cabins. They each deliver the driving enjoyment and feature content car shoppers expect from a premium vehicle.
As for the Lexus NX, its ancestry includes an impressive roster of Kelley Blue Book awards, including our Best Resale Value Award and the Most Trusted Luxury Brand. Available with hybrid powertrains and all-wheel drive, the NX is also notable for being lower priced than many rivals. A great SUV for less money sounds like a win-win to us.
The BMW X3, meanwhile, also has a sterling record for everything from sharp driving dynamics to its generous cargo volume. It’s swift and feels extremely well-engineered in base format, as you’d expect from a BMW vehicle. The X3 M50 comes equipped with a turbocharged inline-6 engine that transforms the X3 into a road rocket.
Want to see how they compare? Let’s examine the highlights of the Lexus NX and BMW X3.
2025 Lexus NX
Lexus offers the NX in several trims. Within the NX range, the NX 250 is the only one in which all-wheel drive isn’t standard, but you can add it for an additional $1,600. The NX comes nicely equipped and can be optioned up for just a little extra. Its fit and finish are typically Lexus, and it offers plenty of room for passengers, although its cargo hold is a tad on the small side. The 2025 NX arrives with a few more standard features, including rain-sensing wipers, a power tailgate, and parking sensors with automatic braking.
The NX 250’s base powertrain is a 203-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine connected to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Moving up to the NX 350 or NX 350h delivers the better performance expected of a small luxury SUV. Pricing starts at $42,115, including destination fee.
Lexus NX Highlights
Available hybrids: Want a luxury SUV with the fuel bills of an economy car? The NX offers a choice of two fuel-sipping hybrid engines. The NX 350h features a 240-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and electric motor. It returns an EPA-rated 39 mpg combined. Next is the 304-hp NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid. It provides 37 miles of electric driving range, sprints from 0-60 mph in about six seconds, and delivers an impressive 36 mpg combined. Better still, both these hybrids come standard with all-wheel drive.
Mark Levinson audio: If you’re a music lover constantly on the go, consider ticking the option box for the Mark Levinson premium audio system. This 17-speaker surround-sound system has 1,800 watts of power and delivers outstanding sound quality.
Digital rearview mirror: A common complaint with SUVs is that they give a commanding view of the road ahead, but passengers, headrests, or chunky rear pillars hinder rearward visibility. The digital rearview mirror offered in the NX delivers a clear view behind, no matter who (or what) you’re toting.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the NX models near you.
BMW X3 Highlights
This year, the 2025 BMW X3 is all-new, displaying a bold new look with improvements in power, ride, and handling. The X3 has more interior cargo space, which gives it an advantage over the NX. For now, BMW has simplified the lineup to the X3 30 xDrive and X3 M50 xDrive. All-wheel drive is now standard on both.
Under the hood, the 255-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine can move the X3 to 60 mph in about 6 seconds. For those needing more motivation, the X3 M50’s 393-hp turbocharged 6-cylinder engine can move it to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
A substantial option’s list allows for the ultimate in customization, but can also elevate the X3’s price beyond that of a similarly equipped NX. Pricing starts at $51,125, including destination fee.
Excellent engine choices: You can’t go wrong with either of the X3’s powertrains. The standard 255-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder has more than enough pep and works well with the 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. A wildly fun 393-hp turbocharged inline-6 used in the M50 gives the X3 the straight-line speed of a sports car, not to mention a cool exhaust growl when you punch the gas pedal.
Powered tailgate: Back to the world of daily errands and commuting, it’s nice to know the X3 comes with handy features like a power-operated rear tailgate. It’s standard on all models.
Lots of luggage space: Measuring 31.5 cubic feet, the cargo hold of the X3 is among the roomiest you’ll find in a compact luxury SUV. It’s nearly 9 cubic feet more than what the Lexus NX provides, too.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the X3 models near you.
Similarities
The Lexus NX and BMW X3 earn strong marks in our ranking of the Best Luxury Compact SUVs. We’d consider each a formidable benchmark in this hugely competitive market segment.
Pricing
New 2025 Lexus NX Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (92620)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
$42,115 |
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$44,040 |
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$45,875 |
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$46,575 |
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$47,800 |
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$48,500 |
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$50,485 |
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$51,940 |
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$52,640 |
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$62,290 |
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$63,380 |
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Lexus NX vehicles and New 2025 BMW X3 vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Lexus NX | 2025 BMW X3 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 203 hp @ 6,600 rpm | 255 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic/AWD |
| Fuel economy MPG | 26 city/33 highway/28 combined | 27 city/33 highway/29 combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 2.4-liter 4-cyl.; 2.5-liter 4-cyl. engine/electric motor, AWD | Turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 inches | 112.8 inches |
| Overall Length | 183.5 inches | 187.2 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 75.6 inches |
| Height | 66.1 inches | 65.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.0 feet | 40.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.3 inches | 40.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.5 inches | 38.2 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.0 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 36.1 inches | 36.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.3 inches | 57.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.0 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 22.7 cubic feet | 31.5 cubic feet |
Conclusion
Choosing whether the Lexus NX or BMW X3 squeaks out a narrow victory is a tough question. The easy answer is that they’re both winners, thanks to their quality, strong safety scores, roomy cabins, and choice of powertrains.
In terms of pricing, the base NX has a sizable advantage, even if the entry-level 4-cylinder in the NX 250 provides modest levels of acceleration and passing power. If you need speed, the X3 is the obvious pick. But that’s dependent upon you not minding the BMW’s higher starting price.
All in all, the new X3 feels more modern than the NX, especially inside the cabin. On the flip side, the NX offers owners a bit more reassurance due to its longer powertrain warranty and proven reliability rankings.
