Buy or Hold: Should you wait for the new Lexus NX or buy the BMW X3?

As sports sedans become less enticing to family-oriented buyers, compact SUVs are gaining popularity in Malaysia. One such SUV is the BMW X3, whose latest version hit the local showrooms back in February. The SUV comes with a brand new look, improved cabin features, and an optimized drivetrain that puts it ahead of its rivals in this competitive segment. But can this upgrade also keep it ahead of the second-generation Lexus NX that will soon rock the local market?

Lexus Malaysia has just commenced the bookings for the new NX, along with revealing its specifications and price list. The upgraded SUV rides on a new Lexus Global Architecture (GA-K) platform with almost 95% new components.

For those in a dilemma about whether to buy the available BMW X3 or wait for the new Lexus NX, we put them against each other.

Price 

Let's first talk about the variants and prices of these two SUVs. The German model comes in three versions - sDrive20i M Sport, xDrive30i M Sport, and xDrive30e M Sport, whereas the Japanese SUV will arrive in two forms - NX 250 Luxury and NX 350 F Sport. Here's the price comparison - 

BMW X3	Price	Lexus NX	Price
X3 sDrive20i M Sport	RM 296,950	NX 250 Luxury	RM 370,888
X3 xDrive30e M Sport	RM 337,950	NX 350 F Sport	RM 389,888
X3 xDrive30i M Sport	RM 339,950

Note - The mentioned prices are on-the-road without insurance and also without the SST rebates, which are scheduled to end on June 30, 2022.

We can see the upcoming Lexus NX is dearer than the X3 in terms of pricing, and the reason is the assembly of the cars. The BMW models are locally-assembled, while the NX versions are fully imported (CBU) from Japan.

Dimensions

When it comes to the BMW X3 and Lexus NX size comparison, the former has a clear advantage. Check out the table below -

Specs	BMW X3	Lexus NX
Length	4708 mm	4,660 mm
Width	1891 mm	1,865 mm
Height	1676 mm	1635 mm
Wheelbase	2864 mm	2,690 mm

Engine specifications

All three BMW X3 variants come loaded with different engine packs. Petrol-only options are the sDrive20i and xDrive30i; these are powered by the same 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder with varying output states. The lower version delivers 184 PS of maximum power and 300 Nm of peak torque, while the more powerful tuning churns out 245 PS and 350 Nm. Both are coupled with an eight-speed automatic gearbox with a Steptronic Sport unit, and all-wheel drive available for the latter only. 

For those who want plug-in hybrid power, the X3 xDrive30e is on offer with an internal combustion engine, a powerful electric motor, and a 12kWh battery pack. It delivers an all-electric range of up to 50 kilometers (WLTP).

Coming to the 2022 Lexus NX engine options, the Japanese automaker will offer the different variants with different mills. The 250 Luxury variant will come packed with a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine that is good for making 206 PS of maximum power and 243 Nm of peak torque. The top-spec NX 350 F Sport, on the other hand, will run on a 2.4-litre turbocharged mill with 278 PS and 430 Nm output levels. As for the transmission, both will have an 8-speed automatic transmission with AI shift control.

On comparing the two SUVs in terms of engine specs, we conclude that if you want a more powerful SUV, wait for the NX 350 F Sport. 

Features 

Moving on from the engine stuff, it's time to compare the BMW X3 and Lexus NX in terms of exterior, interior, and safety features. Here's a comparison of the top-spec models with reference taken from the global market version for the NX.

Features	BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport	Lexus NX 350 F Sport
Exterior	Larger kidney grille Full-LED tech M Sport pack with 20-inch wheels M Sport suspension Panorama glass roof	Chrome framed grille LED headlights Full-width LED tail light bar Adaptive Variable Suspension Panoramic moonroof
Interior	12.3 inch infotainment screen paired with BMW OS 7 BMW Live Cockpit Professional with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster iDrive Controller BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant BMW Connected, BMW Maps and support for OTA updates Harman Kardon surround setup instead Three-zone air conditioning Ambient lighting Vernasca Black leather with blue stitching or Vernasca Mokka upholstery	14-inch infotainment touchscreen unit with Remote Touch Controller Cockpit based on the tazuna concept 10-inch head up display and  7.0-inch digital meter panel Voice-recognition Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity 64-colour Ambient lighting Lexus-first E-Latch System  Qi wireless charger Multi-zone air-conditioning 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System (17-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System may come as optional) Leather upholstery with new patterns
Safety	BMW Driving Assistant package with  Lane Change Warning Lane Departure Warning Rear cross traffic alert Rear collision prevention and front collision warning Parking Assistant package with Reversing Assistant and passive cruise control	Lexus Safety System Plus suite with  Pre-Collision System (for pedestrian and cyclist detection) Lane tracing assist Dynamic radar cruise control with stop-and-go function Adaptive high-beam system Road sign assist Panoramic view monitor and parking brake support

Verdict

If you want a more power-packed and safe SUV with a fully-imported appeal, you must wait for the new Lexus NX. If that's not the case, you can buy the locally assembled and cheaper BMW X3, which will not disappoint you.

Also read: 2023 BMW 7 Series: Taking automotive tech to the next level