2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional appearance, blending seamlessly with the myriad of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was characterized by a few distinguishing features, such as a unique grille and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it did not stand out in terms of exterior aesthetics. The color palette offered by Honda was somewhat limited, with a predominance of neutral tones and only a few vibrant options, which were mostly reserved for higher trims. Inside, the CR-V provided a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of cloth or leather upholstery, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were often seen as having more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX presented a more striking and refined design, unmistakably a Lexus with its prominent spindle grille and simplified styling details. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior was designed with a minimalist approach, featuring fewer buttons and a focus on high-quality materials like NuLuxe simulated leather and real leather in the Luxury trim. The F Sport variant added sporty elements such as bolstered seats and unique instrumentation. Despite the decluttered dashboard, some users found the integration of many functions into the touchscreen to be slightly overwhelming. Overall, the NX's design was a significant evolution, aiming to provide a more luxurious and modern driving experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, excluding the hybrid versions. It offered smooth and steady acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of approximately 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) was designed for efficiency rather than engagement, which some drivers found less exciting compared to competitors with conventional automatic transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup provided decent handling and ride quality, typical of vehicles in its class.

The 2022 Lexus NX, particularly the NX 350, featured a more powerful turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, offering a more dynamic driving experience. The NX 350 F Sport variant included additional driving modes and an adaptive variable sports suspension, enhancing its performance on winding roads. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds for the NX 350, which was supported by test drives. The NX also offered electrified versions, with the NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid providing additional power and efficiency options.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's tailgate options varied by trim, with higher trims featuring power and hands-free operation. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim, limiting options for carrying additional gear on the roof.

The 2022 Lexus NX, while claiming increased interior space, felt more intimate from the driver's seat due to its new dashboard design. The NX provided comfortable seating, especially in models with heated and ventilated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space was 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Luxury trim offered ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the overall cabin experience.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's technology offerings varied by trim, with the base LX featuring a basic 5-inch screen and higher trims equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system improved with each trim level, culminating in a 300-watt system with a subwoofer in the Touring trim. Charging ports were plentiful in all but the base model, and the Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, featuring a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen and an optional 14-inch display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and cloud-based features. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson system. The NX also offered a range of connected services and a digital key feature. However, the large touchscreen was prone to fingerprints and reflections, and some users missed having a tuning knob.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing suite of safety technologies as standard across all trims, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Lexus NX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Oncoming Vehicle Detection. The NX also offered an Emergency Driving Stop System and standard blind-spot warning. Premium trims added rear pedestrian detection and an adaptive front lighting system. The NX's safety features were comprehensive, aiming to provide a high level of driver assistance and collision avoidance.