Will the Lexus NX be able to outsell its German rivals?

As we patiently await the reveal of the production NX at the Beijing Auto Show, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at what the NX will be competing against, and how it will measure up. The NX will be competing against vehicles like the BMW X3, the Audi Q5, and the Mercedes-Benz GLK. Let's take a look at these cars and their sales numbers to get a better idea of what the NX will be dealing with.

BMW X3



The BMW X3 sold 5,658 units in 2013. That makes it the worst selling in this segment when you compare it to its fellow-German entrants.

ENGINE 2.0L I-4
POWER 240 @ 5,000 rpm
TRANSMISSION 8-spd w/OD
0-60 8.9 seconds
DRIVETRAIN all wheel
MONTHLY PAYMENT $751 - $847
SEATING 5 passengers
CARGO 63.3 cu.ft.
MPG 21 City / 28 HWY
MARKET PRICE (FAIR) $38,122
INVOICE PRICE $36,615 - $41,310

Audi Q5



The Audi Q5 was the best selling of the three cars we are looking at here. In 2013 it sold a total of 7,547 units.

ENGINE 2.0L I-4
POWER 220 @ 4,450 rpm
TRANSMISSION 8-spd auto w/OD
0-60 9.1 seconds
DRIVETRAIN quattro all wheel
MONTHLY PAYMENT $704 - $878
SEATING 5 passengers
CARGO 57.3 cu.ft.
MPG 20 City / 28 HWY
MARKET PRICE (FAIR) $36,273
INVOICE PRICE $34,690 - $43,247

Mercedes-Benz GLK



The Mercedes-Benz GLK just edged out the BMW X3 in order to come in second in this little comparison. It sold a total of 5,979 units in 2013.

ENGINE 3.5L V-6
POWER 302 @ 6,500 rpm
TRANSMISSION 7-spd w/OD
0-60 6.4 seconds
DRIVETRAIN rear-wheel
MONTHLY PAYMENT $707 - $745
SEATING 5 passengers
CARGO 54.7 cu.ft.
MPG 19 City / 26 HWY
MARKET PRICE (FAIR) $35,063
INVOICE PRICE $34,856 - $36,716




Now the question is whether or not the Lexus NX will be able to rival the sales figures that the Germans are putting up. We don't have anything to go off of for sales figures so we will just have to compare the speculated specs of the production NX in order to make a prediction.

Lexus NX





The Lexus NS will likely get a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a hybrid power source as options. The trubo-charged four will displace 2.0-liters and utilize a twin-scroll turbocharger, an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head, and Toyota's D-4 Sport and direct fuel injection. No power figures were discussed by Lexus execs but you could expect something around 225-250 hp, the industry norm for sporty 2.0-liter turbo fours.

I think a big part of the equation is what the NX will look like. It needs to find the right balance between aggressive and mass market appeal. My guess is that it will match the sales of the GLK and the X3, but I don't think it is going to challenge the Audi Q5.