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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
ZS
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
NX
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
ZS
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
NX
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2023
2025
Generation
Second-generation Lexus NX mid-size luxury SUV
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
published
active
Segment
Luxury SUV
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1760-1860 kg
-
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
NX
ZS
Length
4660 mm
4314 mm
Width
1865 mm
1809 mm
Height
1670 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2690 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
195 mm
175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
520 l
359 l
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2370 kg
1695 kg
Towing Capacity
1000 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
5.6 m
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Kerb Weight
-
1258 kg
Payload Capacity
-
437 kg
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Front Headroom
-
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
-
995 mm
Front Legroom
-
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
-
850 mm
Spec
NX
ZS
Front Track Width
1605 mm
-
Rear Track Width
1625 mm
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson -
Independent
Rear Suspension
Double Wishbone -
Torsion Beam
Spec
NX
ZS
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Auto Dual zone
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
All/ All One Touch
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard Smart Entry
Standard
Push Button Start
Push Start
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Tilt & Slide,Panoramic
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Standard Power and Handsfree
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Auto Dual zone
ETC air conditioning
Heads Up Display
Standard
-
Air Conditioning
Auto Dual zone
ETC air conditioning
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Spec
NX
ZS
Engine
2.4-litre Turbocharged Petrol
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
NSE
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2400 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Petrol SFI + D-4ST
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
87.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
99.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
205 kW @ 6000 rpm
84 kW
Maximum Torque
430 Nm
150 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
200 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
7.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Standard Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport S+
No
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
119.24 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
NX
ZS
Gearbox
Automatic 8-speed
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
AWD
Front-wheel drive
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Available
Number of Gears
8
4
Transmission Type
Automatic 8-speed
Automatic
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Automatic
Drivetrain
AWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Permanent all-wheel drive
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Automatic 8-speed
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
AWD
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
4
LSD Available
-
Not Available
Differential Lock
-
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Clutch Type
-
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Standard
Spec
NX
ZS
Claimed Mileage
12.3 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
9.9 km/l
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
14.5 km/l
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
48 l
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Available
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
55
48
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
-
EURO 5
Real-world Mileage
12.3 km/l
14.08 km/l
Spec
NX
ZS
Airbags
Side,Curtain,Driver,Passenger,Driver Knee
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard,,
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard 2
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Standard
Alarm System
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front + Rear/ Buzzer + Light
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
ELR,Pretensioner,Force Limiter,Tension Reducer -
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front + Rear/ Buzzer + Light
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard,,
Standard
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Anti Theft Alarm
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
-
Brake Override System
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Not Available
Spec
NX
ZS
Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert,Safe Exit Assist
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Rear
Rear View Camera
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Auto,Rainsensing
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Standard
Reverse Camera
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert,Safe Exit Assist
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
Not Available
Park Assist
-
Not Available
Spec
NX
ZS
Seat Material
F SPORT
PVC + PU
Seat Adjustment
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
-
Heated Seats
Standard Driver and Passenger only
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Standard Front only
Not Available
Folding Rear Seats
60:40 -
-
Rear Armrest
Standard
-
Cup Holders
Standard 4
-
Steering Wheel Material
3 Spoke/ F SPORT
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Standard TFT
-
Driver Lumbar Support
Driver 2-way,Power
-
60 40 Split Seat
60:40 -
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Seat Trim
F SPORT
PVC + PU
Ambient Lighting
-
Not Available
Spec
NX
ZS
Infotainment System
Mark Levinson/ EMV
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
Standard 17
6
Navigation System
Standard/ EMV
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard TFT
Not Available
USB Ports
Standard 5PCs
Standard
Infotainment Screen Size
Mark Levinson/ EMV
8-inch
Audio Speakers
Standard 17
6
Audio System
Mark Levinson/ EMV
-
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
Standard 5PCs
-
Infotainment Screen
Mark Levinson/ EMV
8-inch
Connected Services
Standard
-
Touchscreen
Mark Levinson/ EMV
8-inch
Spec
NX
ZS
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
Standard LED
Standard
Roof Rails
Standard
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
White Nova, Sonic Titanium, Solar Storm Red, Poseidon Blue, Graphite Black GF, Terrane Khaki, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Copper
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Tilt & Slide,Panoramic
Standard
Spec
NX
ZS
Approach Angle
15.0 deg
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
25.0 deg
29.0 deg
Terrain Modes
Standard
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
Permanent all-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Approach Angle Deg
15.0 deg
-
Departure Angle Deg
25.0 deg
-
Ground Clearance Max
195 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
195 mm
-
Wading Depth
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
NX
ZS
Tyre Size
F:235-50RF R20 / R:235-50RF R20
215/50R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Wheel Rim Size
20
17
Handbrake Type
Electric
Mechanical
Spare Wheel Type
-
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Spec
NX
ZS
Service Interval
12 months / 15,000km
-
Service Plan
-
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
NX
ZS
CO2 Emissions
185 g/km
165 g/km
Spec
NX
ZS
Ownership Role
Private luxury, family and business
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
1276500 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Flagship
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
1276500
309900
Starting Price Zar
1276500
309900
Spec
NX
ZS
Warranty
7 years / 105,000km
7 years / 200,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This NX and ZS 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 ZS 37.
Efficiency index: NX 49 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: NX 93 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: NX 65 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: NX not separately scored vs ZS 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.
Model imagery
NX and ZS image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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 18 points
NX holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over ZS.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
NX
Performance
86/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
65/100
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLexus NX
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 57 pts for ZS
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, NX leads. However, ZS 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.
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.
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