Is the Chevrolet Equinox-EV more reliable than the Lexus NX?

Based on our data, the Lexus NX is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Equinox-EV or the Lexus NX?

The Lexus NX has more recalls (47) compared to the Chevrolet Equinox-EV (7). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Equinox-EV or the Lexus NX?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus NX has a lower complaint rate at 6.3 per 10,000 sold versus 29.7 for the Chevrolet Equinox-EV. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Chevrolet Equinox-EV vs Lexus NX: Reliability Compared

Chevrolet Equinox-EV

Good

More Reliable

Lexus NX

Good

Choosing between the Chevrolet Equinox-EV and the Lexus NX? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus NX currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Chevrolet Equinox-EV and Lexus NX Generations Compare?

The Lexus NX is currently in its second generation, which was introduced in 2021 for the 2022 model year. The previous first generation ran from 2015 to 2021 and underwent a facelift in 2018. Being relatively new in its cycle, the second-generation NX may experience typical first-year issues as it continues to mature, although Lexus vehicles generally have a reputation for reliability. In contrast, the Chevrolet Equinox-EV is in its first generation, launched in 2024, with a facelift introduced for the 2025 model year. As a new platform, the Equinox-EV may face initial teething problems common in early production years, but subsequent updates and facelifts often address initial concerns, potentially improving reliability over time.

Verdict

The Lexus NX is more reliable than the Chevrolet Equinox-EV, scoring 79/100 vs 69/100.

The Lexus NX boasts a higher average reliability score of 81/100 compared to the Chevrolet Equinox-EV's 66/100, indicating a stronger overall performance in reliability metrics. Despite the NX's higher total recalls over nine years, the Equinox-EV shows a higher complaint rate of 29.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold, suggesting more frequent issues relative to its sales volume. Both models have notable concerns with their electrical systems and service brakes, but the NX's broader range of common issues may warrant attention. Overall, the Lexus NX demonstrates superior reliability, though potential buyers should consider the specific areas of concern for each vehicle.

Key Differences

1Chevrolet Equinox-EV has 40 fewer total recalls
2Lexus NX has 23.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Lexus NX scores 10 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Chevrolet Equinox-EV

—

2Lexus NX

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Chevrolet Equinox-EV vs Lexus NX: Which Is More Reliable?

Chevrolet Equinox-EV vs Lexus NX at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chevrolet Equinox-EV	Lexus NX
Reliability Score	69/100	79/100
Years Tracked	3	9
Total Recalls	7	47
Complaints per 10k Sold	29.7	6.3
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Equinox-EV and Lexus NX?

The Lexus NX and Chevrolet Equinox-EV exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Equinox-EV predominantly facing issues in the visibility/wiper category, accounting for 126 complaints, which is a significant portion of its total. In contrast, the Lexus NX reports a more balanced distribution of issues, with the highest number of complaints in the unknown or other category, followed by electrical system and fuel/propulsion system complaints. Notably, the Lexus NX has a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints in the service brakes category, with four incidents, compared to the Equinox-EV's three. Both models share concerns with electrical systems, yet the Equinox-EV does not demonstrate as severe crash-linked issues as the Lexus NX in this area.

Chevrolet Equinox-EV vs Lexus NX common problem areas comparison
Component	Chevrolet Equinox-EV	Lexus NX
VISIBILITY/WIPER	14.5Above Avg	0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.9Average	0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	2.9Low	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.2Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	2.3Low	0.2Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.9Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.7Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.5Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.3Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
ENGINE	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Chevrolet Equinox-EV vs Lexus NX Reliability Compare by Year?

Chevrolet Equinox-EV vs Lexus NX year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chevrolet Equinox-EV	Lexus NX	Edge
2026	76/1000R / 0C	88/1000R / 0C	Lexus NX
2025	64/1006R / 153C	77/1007R / 13C	Lexus NX
2024	67/1001R / 105C	77/10014R / 129C	Lexus NX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox-EV scored 76/100 and the 2026 Lexus NX scored 88/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Equinox-EV vs the Lexus NX?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Lexus NX, with its higher reliability score of 81/100, is a strong contender. Despite having a significant number of recalls (47) and owner complaints (321), its track record suggests a well-rounded performance. The issues reported, such as concerns with the electrical and fuel systems, are also common across many vehicles, but the Lexus brand's reputation for durability might offer you more confidence over time. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the electric vehicle market and want to minimize potential recall-related disruptions, the Chevrolet Equinox-EV could be appealing. With only 7 recalls and a lower owner complaint rate of 29.7 per 10,000 sold, it presents a less problematic ownership experience. However, its lower reliability score of 66/100 indicates that you might encounter more frequent issues, particularly with visibility/wiper systems and forward collision avoidance. Ultimately, if reliability is your top concern, lean towards the Lexus NX. If you’re willing to trade some reliability for fewer recalls and enjoy the benefits of an electric vehicle, consider the Chevrolet Equinox-EV.

Chevrolet Equinox-EV vs Lexus NX: Common Questions

Is the Chevrolet Equinox-EV more reliable than the Lexus NX?: Based on our data, the Lexus NX is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Equinox-EV or the Lexus NX?: The Lexus NX has more recalls (47) compared to the Chevrolet Equinox-EV (7). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Equinox-EV or the Lexus NX?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus NX has a lower complaint rate at 6.3 per 10,000 sold versus 29.7 for the Chevrolet Equinox-EV. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Chevrolet Equinox-EV comparisons

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More Lexus NX comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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