If you’re on the hunt for a compact hybrid SUV, two good choices are the 2023 Toyota Venza and the Lexus NX 350h. They are similarly sized, get great mileage, and come from the same parent company. That said, these two SUVs have a lot in common. However, here are three reasons the Venza could be the better choice.

1. The 2023 Toyota Venza is cheaper than the Lexus NX 350h

Let’s start with the obvious point – price. The 2023 Toyota Venza starts at $34,620 and goes up to $42,765 for the top trim Limited model. On the other hand, the 2023 Lexus NX 350h carries an MSRP of $43,805, which is over $1,000 more than the top-of-the-line Venza. Keep in mind that the Venza has a lot of the same features as the Lexus, including wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated seats, and a dual-zone climate control system.

The NX350h has a few nicer options, like ventilated seats, a large 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a Mark Levinson premium audio system. But if you don’t care about that stuff, the Venza provides a better overall value.

2. The Venza has the same powertrain as the NX 350h

The Toyota Venza and the Lexus NX 350h both have the same powertrains. Under both of their hoods is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine mated to a pair of electric motors. One motor drives the front wheels, and the other sits between the rear axles. One key difference is that the Lexus puts out 240 hp, and the Toyota puts out 219.

It seems as though Toyota tuned the Lexus NX’s power slightly differently, resulting in the recommendation of using 91-octane fuel. However, 87-octane can be used as well. Regarding fuel efficiency, the Lexus NX 350h can get up to 41 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The Venza gets one less mpg in the city, so the difference between the two cars is negligible.

3. The Toyota Venza has a little more interior space than the NX

If practicality is of the utmost importance, the Toyota Venza is the one to pick. It has a little more interior space than the NX, with 55.1 cubic feet of cargo volume compared to the NX’s 46.9. The Venza also has slightly more head and legroom and both of its rows as well. These two SUVs are very similar, but every inch counts, especially when it comes to interior and cargo space.

2023 Toyota Venza vs. 2023 Lexus NX 350h: Which one would you pick?

There’s no doubt that you can’t go wrong with either of these SUVs. But for our money, the 2023 Toyota Venza is the obvious choice as it brings the most value per dollar. Don’t get us wrong, the Lexus NX 350h is a great choice too, but it will definitely cost you more for a lot of the same stuff.