2025 Genesis GV80 vs 2026 Lexus NX

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was a testament to sophisticated design, offering two engine options and five trims, with the top Prestige trim featuring a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine. The redesign enhanced its already handsome appearance, with a more aggressive lower bumper and a grille with added depth. The front fascia retained its traditional two horizontal bar headlights, now filled with a micro lens array, while the rear saw subtler changes. The interior was equally stunning, boasting quilted Nappa leather seats and unique accents like basalt or recycled newspaper trim. The center console featured three tactile dials, including a gear selector and drive mode selector, though the redundant infotainment dial seemed unnecessary given the ease of using the touchscreen.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus NX maintained a fresh look despite being a few years into its second generation. Its design elements, such as chunky fenders and the spindle grille, were well-integrated, offering a refined appearance compared to some German counterparts. The NX was available in non-hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid variants, with the F Sport Handling trim adding sporty features like adaptive dampers and black 20-inch wheels. However, the base NX 350's interior felt more akin to a high-end Toyota RAV4, lacking the luxury expected from Lexus. The NX 350 Luxury grade offered leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats, providing a more luxurious experience.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 retained its powertrain options, with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The top Prestige trim featured a more powerful twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, delivering 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. All trims came with all-wheel drive, capable of sending up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels. The GV80 offered various driving modes, including Snow and Eco, to optimize performance and fuel economy. While the acceleration was satisfying, the GV80 was more suited for cruising than sporty driving, with a firm and linear braking system ensuring confident stops.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrain options, but the standard 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the NX 350 F Sport test car was underwhelming. Producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, it was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite a quoted 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, the engine felt more suited for a pickup truck, and the transmission's lethargy made achieving that time challenging. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models offered more compelling performance on paper, with the latter boasting 304 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. However, the NX's chassis tuning and firm dampers resulted in an uncomfortable ride and unengaging driving experience.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was well-equipped with features like power-adjustable heated seats, power-folding mirrors, and the new Mood Curator for a spa-like experience. The top trim included heated armrests, three-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. However, the seats were uncomfortably rigid, making long trips less enjoyable. The GV80 offered ample legroom in the second row, with the option for a third row in the Advance trim. Cargo space was expected to be similar to the 35 cubic feet of the 2024 model, and the GV80 could tow up to 6,000 pounds.

The 2026 Lexus NX provided competitive passenger space but with some compromises. Rear-seat headroom was comparable to rivals, but legroom was slightly less. The front seats felt constrained, with limited headroom and hindered visibility due to the deep dashboard and large mirrors. The F Sport Handling spec included sport seats with extra bolstering, which were comfortable but unnecessary given the NX's performance. Cargo space measured 22.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, trailing behind competitors. The NX's towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 featured a 27-inch OLED screen for the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available later. While the infotainment system had clean graphics, navigating menus could be cumbersome. Standard tech included wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and four USB-C ports. Higher trims offered a Genesis digital key, a 12-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system provided sophisticated sound quality, surpassing previous setups.

The 2026 Lexus NX came with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen on base and Premium trims, with a 14-inch display optional on Premium and standard on higher trims. All models included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and six USB ports. Additional tech required data connectivity packages with subscription fees. The 14-inch touchscreen was well-placed, but fan speed adjustments were awkward. The voice recognition system offered some convenience but had limitations. The instrument cluster efficiently presented information, though it resembled older analog displays.

The 2025 Genesis GV80 was equipped with advanced driver aids like lane keeping assist, forward collision avoidance, and blind-spot monitoring. Upper trims added features like remote smart parking and a 360-degree camera system. The Highway Drive Assist system included an attention monitor, though it struggled with certain sunglasses. The GV80 had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS for 2025, but the 2024 model received high safety ratings.

The 2026 Lexus NX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features like park assist and a 360-degree camera system were available. The NX was named a 2025 Top Safety Pick by IIHS, missing the highest award due to an "Acceptable" score in one test. NHTSA had not yet rated the current-generation NX.