Lexus NX F Sport vs Volvo XC60 T8 – Hard-hitting hybrid SUVs

The new Lexus NX 350h has entered the South African market with the headlining F Sport model selling for a cool R1,065,500.

The closest hybrid competitor to the F-Sport is Volvo’s XC60 T8 Recharge, at a starting price of R1,278,900.

We compared these two SUVs to see what difference R153,400 will get you in the hybrid-SUV segment.

Hybrid tech

Releasing exactly two months after its petrol-only variants, the new NX 350h sports a 2.5-litre, petrol–hybrid powertrain that delivers 179kW, with combined torque listed at “239Nm+e-torque” as Lexus does not reveal its hybrid powertrains’ full power figures.

This allows the NX to go from 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds, and on to a top speed of 200km/h.

With a CVT transmission delivering power to the all-wheel-drive system, the NX can manage 5.0l/100km on a combined fuel consumption, too.

In the opposite corner, the Volvo XC60 is also a hybrid, employing a 2.0-litre, turbo and supercharged engine in tandem with an electric motor to provide 340kW and 709Nm to all four wheels.

Furthermore, as a plug-in hybrid, the Volvo is capable of running entirely on its electric motor for a total distance of 81km.

Its 0-100km/h acceleration time is also faster than the Lexus at 4.8 seconds, though it has a lower top speed of 180km, which is further reduced to 140km/h if using the all-electric drive mode.

Combined with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, this XC60 is capable of an astonishing 1.6/100km on a combined cycle.

High-end features

As expected from Lexus, the NX does not disappoint on the tech front with multiple driver-assist functions from sonar park distance control with rear cross-traffic alert, hill assist, lane-keep assist, and cornering assist, to traction control, matrix LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and four selectable driving modes.

Interior highlights continue with leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with electronic adjustment, a panoramic sunroof, a multifunction steering wheel, a heads-up display, wireless charging, and automatic dual-zone climate control.

The cherry on top is then a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment unit that can display the panoramic reverse camera, or connect to a whopping 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system with support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the Lexus Connect companion app.

In comparison, the XC60 Recharge offers lane-keep assist, rear park assist, hill assist, traction control, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, and all-round LED lights as standard.

Moreover, interior features include a suede and leather upholstery, climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, electrically-adjustable and heated front seats with lumbar support, and a 9-inch infotainment system with a Bowers and Wilkins sound system and a built-in Google voice assistant.