Toyota GR86 vs Lexus NX

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Toyota GR86 in South Africa

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 799,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 173 kW 🔧 250 Nm ⛽ 10.9 km/l
VS
Lexus NX in South Africa

Lexus NX

NX 350 F SPORT Petrol 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,276,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 205 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Toyota GR86 vs Lexus NX: the short answer

NX has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

GR86 starts ZAR 324,300 cheaper GR86 from ZAR 749,900 · NX from ZAR 1,074,200

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification GR86 NX
Maximum Power GR86173 kW @ 7000 rpm NX205 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque GR86250 Nm @ 3700 rpm NX430 Nm
Engine Size GR862387 cc NX2400 cc
Combined Fuel Economy GR8610.9 km/l NX12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance GR86130 mm NX195 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Toyota GR86

2.4 Automatic

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Lexus NX

NX 350 F SPORT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

GR86

Strengths
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: General Use
Specification evidence leader

NX

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

GR86

  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

NX

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec GR86 NX
360 Degree Camera Not Available Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control Not Available Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Around View Monitor Not Available Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking Not Available Standard
Auto Lights Standard -
Auto Wipers Standard Auto,Rainsensing
Blind Spot Monitoring Not Available Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert,Safe Exit Assist
Blind Spot Warning Not Available Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert,Safe Exit Assist
Cruise Control Standard Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Driver Fatigue Alert Not Available -
Emergency Braking Not Available -
EV Mode Not Available -
Lane Departure Warning Not Available Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Lane Keep Assist Not Available Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Parking Distance Sensors Rear -
Parking Sensor Rear -
Parking Sensors Rear Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Pre-Collision System Not Available -
Rain Sensor Wipers Standard -
Rear View Camera Standard Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Rear Cross Traffic Alert Not Available -
Rear View Camera Standard -
Reverse Camera Standard Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Reverse Camera Type Standard -
Reversing Camera Standard -
Surround View Camera Not Available Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Traffic Sign Recognition Not Available -
Rear Parking Sensors Rear Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Auto Highbeam Not Available Standard
Park Assist Not Available -
Forward Collision Warning Not Available Standard
Spec GR86 NX
4WD Engagement Not Applicable Permanent all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
4WD Selector Not Applicable Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles Standard Standard
Axle Layout RWD AWD
Differential Lock Not Applicable -
Differential Type Front Not Available -
Differential Type Rear Not Available -
Drivetrain RWD AWD
Drivetrain Layout Rear Wheel Drive AWD
Engine Position Front Longitudinal -
Front Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Number of Gears 4 8
Gear Shift Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Automatic
Gearbox 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Automatic 8-speed
Gearbox Type 6-Speed Automatic with Paddle Shifters Automatic 8-speed
LSD Available Torsen LSD -
Low Range Not Applicable Not Applicable
Low Range Ratio Not Applicable Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters Standard Standard
Rear Differential Lock Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard Not Available -
Transmission Speeds 4 8
Transmission Type Automatic Automatic 8-speed
Final Drive Ratio Not Applicable -
Clutch Type Not Applicable -
Gear Shift Indicator Not Applicable -

In depth: how these cars differ

This GR86 and NX comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: GR86 67 vs NX 86.

Efficiency index: GR86 45 vs NX 49.

Safety-equipment index: GR86 96 vs NX 93.

Practicality index: GR86 46 vs NX 65.

Ownership-cover index: GR86 43 vs NX not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

NX leads by 14 points

NX has a modest catalogue-index lead, while GR86 remains close.

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 14 points
Data 70% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

NX

70% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 86
Efficiency 49
Safety 93
Practicality 65
Leads by 14 points
61
#2

GR86

87% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Ownership 43
Performance 67
Efficiency 45
Safety 96
Practicality 46
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance NX +19 Efficiency NX +4 Safety GR86 +3 Practicality NX +19

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

NX

Performance 86/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 93/100
Practicality 65/100

GR86

Performance 67/100
Efficiency 45/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 46/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Lexus NX leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 61 pts for GR86

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, NX leads. However, GR86 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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GR86 vs NX questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.