Lexus NX vs BYD SEAL

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.

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
VS
BYD SEAL in South Africa

BYD SEAL

Performance AWD 3.8S Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 1,211,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 390 kW 🔧 670 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Lexus NX vs BYD SEAL: the short answer

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

SEAL starts ZAR 66,300 cheaper NX from ZAR 1,074,200 · SEAL from ZAR 1,007,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification NX SEAL
Maximum Power NX205 kW @ 6000 rpm SEAL390 kW
Maximum Torque NX430 Nm SEAL670 Nm
Engine Size NX2400 cc SEALNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy NX12.3 km/l SEALNot Applicable
Ground Clearance NX195 mm SEAL145 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.

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

BYD SEAL

Performance AWD 3.8S

Hagalu editorial rating
4.4/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Hagalu Editorial Team ·

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

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)

NX

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

SEAL

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

Which One's Right for You?

NX

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

SEAL

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec NX SEAL
Model Introduced Year 2023 2024
Generation Second-generation Lexus NX mid-size luxury SUV First South African SEAL generation
Facelift History Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17 Current
Body Style SUV Sedan
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published Active
Segment Luxury SUV Medium Sedan
Tare Mass Kg 1760-1860 kg -
Vehicle Type SUV Passenger vehicle
Spec NX SEAL
Length 4660 mm 4800 mm
Width 1865 mm 1875 mm
Height 1670 mm 1460 mm
Wheelbase 2690 mm 2920 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 195 mm 145 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 55 l 0 l
Boot/Cargo Space 520 l 400 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2370 kg 2631 kg
Towing Capacity 1000 kg 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 m 5.7 m
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 120 mm
Kerb Weight - 2185 kg
Payload Capacity - 446 kg
Number of Rows - 2 rows
Front Headroom - 1000 mm
Rear Headroom - 920 mm
Front Legroom - 1110 mm
Rear Legroom - 810 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This NX and SEAL 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: NX 86 vs SEAL 100.

Efficiency index: NX 49 vs SEAL 90.

Safety-equipment index: NX 93 vs SEAL 98.

Practicality index: NX 65 vs SEAL 57.

Ownership-cover index: NX not separately scored vs SEAL 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

SEAL leads by 11 points

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

Evidence leader 86 /100
Lead 11 points
Data 68% source coverage
86
#1 Evidence leader

SEAL

68% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Practicality 57
Performance 100
Efficiency 90
Safety 98
Practicality 57
Leads by 11 points
75
#2

NX

70% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 93 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 86
Efficiency 49
Safety 93
Practicality 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance SEAL +14 Efficiency SEAL +41 Safety SEAL +5 Practicality NX +8

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

SEAL

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 98/100
Practicality 57/100

NX

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD SEAL leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts vs 75 pts for NX

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

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

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NX vs SEAL 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.