2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban presented a bold and somewhat polarizing design, with its front-end borrowing heavily from the Camaro's design language. This resulted in a combination of small headlights and large, busy grilles that did not favor the Suburban's massive frame. Despite the exterior's divisive appearance, the interior maintained a familiar layout with controls in their expected places, ensuring ease of use. The Suburban offered a range of trims, from the base LS to the luxurious High Country, each adding various features and enhancements. The High Country trim, while upscale, lacked the soft-touch materials typical of true luxury SUVs, making it feel more like an upscale pickup.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX showcased a refined and unmistakably Lexus design, highlighted by its signature spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior adopted a minimalist approach, with a focus on comfort and quality. The NX 350 F Sport trim featured sport-bolstered seats and unique styling elements, while the Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim. Despite the decluttered dashboard, some controls were integrated into the touchscreen, which could be challenging to navigate quickly. Overall, the NX provided a comfortable and stylish interior, with thoughtful touches like padded surfaces for added comfort.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban offered a range of powerful engine options, starting with a standard 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. A more robust 6.2-liter V8 was available, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Suburban also introduced a Duramax turbodiesel engine, a 3.0-liter inline-six generating 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The diesel engine provided impressive torque and pickup, making it suitable for towing and hauling. The Suburban's handling was a mix of truck-like capabilities and a more compliant ride, thanks to its independent rear suspension. However, it still exhibited body roll and was susceptible to crosswinds.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions, with the NX 350h hybrid producing a combined 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivering 302 horsepower. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350 F Sport trim added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its sporty character. The NX 350's turbocharged powertrain provided a rewarding driving experience, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. The F Sport trim offered a more engaging drive, while the Luxury trim provided a softer ride. Despite its dynamic improvements, the NX's turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of its German rivals, and road noise was more pronounced than expected.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering a massive 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Even with the second-row seats in use, it provided 93.8 cubic feet of cargo space, making it ideal for road trips. The Suburban's interior was spacious, with ample head- and legroom for passengers. The second-row captain's chairs were particularly roomy, and the control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks. However, the button shifter design was less intuitive than a traditional column shifter. The power-sliding center console was a unique feature, though its functionality was questionable.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room than its predecessor, though it felt more intimate from the driver's seat. The NX was comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel available. The F Sport trim provided better bolstering for spirited driving, while rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations and practical storage space. The NX's panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space. The Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with various themes, though it was not tested. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's layout was sensible, with a helpful home button for easy navigation. Optional features included a navigation system, rear entertainment system, and head-up display. The available wireless device charging pad added convenience, making the Suburban's tech offerings user-friendly.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant strides in technology with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen available as an upgrade. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and cloud-based features. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system optional. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands, enhancing usability. The NX also offered a digital mirror, head-up display, and digital key capability. However, the larger touchscreen collected fingerprints and reflections, and the lack of a tuning knob was a drawback.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban was equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. The Teen Driver system allowed owners to set speed and volume limitations for secondary keys, promoting safe driving habits. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. Unique options included a rear-view camera mirror and Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems. Notable features included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. Standard safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, and semi-autonomous parking assist. The Vision Package offered a panoramic view monitoring system and front cross-traffic alert.