Toyota Venza hybrid VS Lexus NX350h comparison. Battle of the hybrids.

#ToyotaVenza
#LexusNX359h
#CoupleCarComparison
This is a Motormouth couple car comparison of the Toyota Venza hybrid versus the new Lexus NX350h hybrid. Both are compact premium SUVs. The Venza is 3” longer than the NX 350h. They both have about the same front legroom but the Venza has almost 2” more 2nd row legroom and an extra 6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 8.2 cubic feet of overall cargo capacity. Fuel economy, they are very close, the NX does a little bit better in the city at 5.7L/100 km, 41 MPG compared to the Venza at 5.9L/100km, 40 MPG. They both get 6.4L/100 km, 37 MPG on the highway. The Venza has a fixed glass roof, the NX no moonroof or panoramic sunroof on the base model, the moonroof is available in the Premium Package for $1500 CAD/$3,050 USD and the Panoramic sunroof in the Luxury package for an extra $6,500 CAD/$7,450 USD. The Venza top trim comes with front and rear parking sensors, a wireless charger, head-up display, a bird’s eye view camera and a power rear door with kick-sensor. The NX hybrid has these features available on higher trims. The Venza has a spare tire and 19” wheels, the NX run-flat tires and 18” wheels. Both have a leatherette interior, the Venza has a larger 12.3” touchscreen with touch sensitive controls, the NX Hybrid, 9.8” with buttons. The Venza has no offering of heated rear seats or wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, only wired; these features are available in the Lexus. The Venza is missing some safety features that the base 350h has including, vehicle sway warning, risk avoidance emergency steer assist, road sign assist, a vehicle security system and safe exist assist which works in conjunction with the digital latch system scanning the area for pedestrians, cyclists and cars before opening the door. Advanced Park is also available on the NX Hybrid. The Venza top trim is $48,290/$40,380 USD and the NX 350h base model is $49,900 CAD/$42,125 USD. I recommend adding the premium package on the NX for extra features like the moonroof to make it more competitive with the Venza. It is priced at $51,400 CAD/$45,175 USD.

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[scanvids]

We’ve owned at least four RX350 Lexus vehicles, very silky drive practical, we now drive a hybrid Venza, it rides and drives just as well as a Lexus, Toyota makes both, the technology in the Venza is first class, and fit and finish, and in some respects better than the Lexus ;the price difference is quite apparent, we still like Lexus brand, but can’t quite bring ourselves to spend the $ difference, For us the Limited Venza is an extremely good handling, smooth ride, and full of technology.it’s driving characteristics are way better than smooth silky RX350, No roll when cornering. This review makes a lot of interesting points, Lexus may well have improved the NX, but we feel the better deal for our money is the Venza . Just as an add on when the weather is warmer we’ve had 53mpg , when colder temps 45-48mpg, we don’t have a lead right foot .

[KayKeneetit]

I ordered a ‘22 Venza Limited in May and finally brought it home last week. So far it’s amazing, and people ask me a lot of questions about it. The funky sounds it makes when reversing and the electric motors always makes for an interesting drive! My dislike is the lack of buttons, especially the volume knob and radio station scan buttons. Also, there is no trash bin or storage areas for my passenger’s sunglasses. My Ford Edge had tons of compartments and a much easier-to-reach touch screen. However, I can get over 50 miles to the gallon easily in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the freeway headed for downtown Dallas, which is why I bought it. 🙂 The price for all you get can’t be beat!

[rodneymacdonald]

I want to tell you both why you are my favourite auto journalists: you are both upbeat, positive, and smile a lot. You clearly enjoy each other’s company and are passionate about the work you do. So many of your competition are way too serious.

[TalismanPHX]

Prefer the Jaguar-esque styling of the Venza.... it's a budget Lexus

[jeffer]

Good to see this comparison as I was doing the same thing last year. The NX wasn't out yet, and I had a feeling the price gap between well equipped models would be too much for me to justify. A local dealer had a Limited Venza on the lot so I ended up buying it (likely good timing since availability now is tough). I've had my Venza now for about 6 months and don't regret it one bit. Lifetime fuel economy so far is 6.5L/100kms which is lower than the subcompact car it replaced. Like many reviewers, I'd prefer knobs/dials for my infotainment/HVAC controls, but you do get used them fairly quick. Also, I'm more of a "set it and forget it' kind of user so I'm not adjusting things that often anyway. One thing I did notice is the steering with the stock tires felt somewhat "heavy". I replaced the stock tires with Michelin Cross Climate 2 All Weather tires and find they lighten up the steering to feel more "normal/neutral". I'd recommend either vehicle (since they are very similar) to anyone considering them. As Zach said, they are both reliable, no hassle vehicles to own, and either will still be worth something when you sell it.

[khaledabdelwahab]

My heart goes to the lexus with premium package it's very close to the venza's top trim but looks much better overall and with better hoursepower! Great review as usual thanks 👏

[CodeXana]

Absolutely in love with my Limited 2021 Venza. Had it for about a month now. The red paint is STUNNING

[kellingtonlink]

I would consider going the Lexus route for a few reasons. The paint quality and the colour options are far superior (in my opinion), the extra year of warranty and (quite often overlooked) quality and consistency of absolutely amazing dealer service (free service loaner alone!). And of course...the Badge. Thanks for another excellent comparison video. It was a close one!

[saikrishnan]

Just test drove both of em. Saying Lexus is a lil bit more refined is a major understatement. There's a crazy day and light difference in luxury feel, between these two . Lexus reeks of classiness.

[embodythejotun]

Venza Limited for me, that's what I went with. A ton of tech and still great quality and comfort. There are definitely some interior finishing touches (door handles, some hard plastics) that are a little lacking where they cut costs compared to the Lexus, but overall was more value for the money for me. Next time I'll probably save a bit more and spring for the RX350h, skipping over the NX.

[eleanormassaro]

This was a really, really interesting comparison! These two particular CUV‘s always go to the top of my list when I start thinking about a future new car purchase. It would be a hard decision for me between these two! The advantage of the NX to me, as I haven’t been able to test drive one yet, is the shorter length to fit in my small garage. It is a little bit shorter than the Venza.
But I have to say, to be able to get the Venza limited with the larger wheels, the fixed pano roof, which are my things that I would want, I would have to go all the way up to 50 grand at least to get that on the NX luxury package versus the Venza at around 43, 000 and change with the tech package which gives you the heads up display and the fixed pano roof! Hard decisions to make. I’ve been driving my Lexus for almost 12 years now so I’ve been a Lexus loyal customer since 2006 with two different RX’s. It would be kind of difficult to go away from the brand for me🤷‍♀️

[smidrn]

Great comments are very useful and practical, especially regarding the regular vs premium fuel recommendations . Most magazines and reviewers fail to mention this important detail. Good job.

[cafelate]

Thanks Andrea for your video on the Venza. I got rid of my 2021 Rav 4 Hybrid for the 2021 Venza (Harrier) Limited. I love all the technology and all the stuff that the RAV 4 don't have. Unfortunately my limited version does not have the moon roof that I wanted but I can't rave enough on my Venza. It is so comfortable, smooth and a good looking car. I would love a RX350 but the price is ridiculous. There are couple of more improvements that I wished this Venza has. If you saw the China's verison of their Venza, it has nice hot front grill, with fog lights. That is what is missing of this current Venza.

[rosepaul]

As others have commented in other reviews, my Venza is getting 46 mpg in town driving. So far, am loving how comfortable it is. I use the steering wheel controls for volume, radio, etc. Voice commands work well for navigation.

[sanriogirl]

Wireless Apple Carplay is available in the Venza too (or any car with Apple Carplay) with a simple little device you can buy online. It works perfectly too! Both are great cars, but for exterior and value, I went with a Venza. Less of them on the road too.

[stevewise]

I believe the Venza is built in Japan, so I trust the build quality more than any Toyota's built in the US.

[empresshunt]

I had the 21 Venza Premium. I now have the 23 Lexus NX350h. I’m much happier. The Venza is generic luxury. Lexus is the real thing.

[Mrnovanova]

I considered the Venza Limited but the wait is 12+month compared to 6 months for the Lexus. So Lexus it is.

[MechayaAlta]

How important is having a birds eye/surround view camera ? Is it like a power tail gate, that once having one, you wouldn’t have a car without it? On my Subaru with its great visibility, it doesn’t seem necessary. On these newer more aerodynamic cars it seems more useful. Great review. I’m leaning towards the Venza limited without glass roof. Now if I could only drive or rent one for a few days in this crazy car market…..

[mlgc]

Thank you for the review and somehow made me to get Lexus NX350h instead of Venza. Plus just found out, the interest rate from Toyota is higher than Lexus.