2021 Honda HR-V vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs like the CR-V, Passport, and Pilot, which had more traditional SUV looks with upright roof lines and intimidating front ends. The HR-V was distinctive with its converging upper and lower window lines near the taillights, which also housed the rear door handles. Most trim levels featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the HR-V EX and EX-L sporting a machined finish. The Sport models stood out with matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, while fog lights were standard on all but the base LX trim level.

Inside, the HR-V’s styling was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. The EX and EX-L models offered push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L adding leather upholstery. While it would never be mistaken for a luxury car, the HR-V still looked and felt solid.

The redesigned 2022 Lexus NX, available in four model series (NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+), offered a range of trim levels including base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury, with base prices ranging from $37,950 to $49,000. The NX 250 and NX 350 were not electrified, while the NX 350h was a hybrid and the NX 450h+ a plug-in hybrid. The NX was unmistakably a Lexus with its jutting spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The new model was longer, wider, and taller, providing more passenger and cargo space. Most NX models featured NuLuxe simulated leather, with the NX Luxury offering real leather and open pore wood trim. A panoramic sunroof was available for the first time.

The NX 350 F Sport distinguished itself with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, it featured sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, a new F Sport steering wheel, unique instrumentation, dark interior trim, and alloy pedals and scuff plates. The interior had a minimalist look, with many functions integrated into the available 14-inch touchscreen, which could be challenging to use quickly. Physical controls for frequently used functions remained, and the new electronic shifter was easy to acclimate to. Quality levels were generally high, though some elements like the turn signal felt inexpensive.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters on higher trims. While AWD was available on all trims, FWD was standard. The powertrain had not changed from previous models, which was a drawback as the HR-V felt underpowered for highway driving, compounded by an ineffective CVT. Competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek offered more powerful engine options.

However, the HR-V’s chassis made up for its engine shortcomings, providing a genuinely rewarding driving experience on twisty roads and decent ride quality. The HR-V’s AWD system was not designed for rough terrain, and its ground clearance was minimal, making it unsuitable for towing.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h with a combined output of 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving, and the NX 450h+ with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with FWD standard and AWD optional.

Both the NX 250 and NX 350 offered Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes, with the NX 350 F Sport adding Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The F Sport felt taut and lean on winding roads, while the NX 350 Luxury offered a softer driving character. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds for the NX 350, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury. The NX’s handling impressed, though the turbocharged engine did not sound as refined as those in German rivals. The NX was not suitable for off-road use, with limited ground clearance and approach and departure angles.

The 2021 Honda HR-V offered impressive cargo space for its size, thanks to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the seat folded down, it provided 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 with AWD) with the seat up. These figures surpassed competitors like the Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Kona, and Subaru Crosstrek, though the Kia Seltos and 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more cargo space. The HR-V also excelled in rear-seat legroom, leading the segment, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob, with a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel for easier driving position adjustments.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room for people and cargo, though it felt more intimate from the driver’s seat due to the new dashboard design. The NX was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim provided better bolstering for the front seats, and Lexus thoughtfully padded the driver’s door panel and center console side. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX’s panoramic glass sunroof extended over the back seat, and the Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes.

Lexus claimed a 14% increase in cargo space behind the back seat, bringing the figure to 22.7 cubic feet. Folding the back seats down created 46.9 cubic feet of volume.

The 2021 Honda HR-V’s base LX trim came with standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Sport trim level added a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while EX and EX-L models included SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located in a convenient cubbyhole ahead of the shifter. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard across all trims.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant advancements in technology with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. A 9.8-inch touchscreen display was standard, with a 14-inch screen optional. Both versions included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands, and Lexus included a complimentary three-year trial subscription to its new Drive Connect service.

Additional technologies included a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and User Profiles for storing preferences and settings. The NX also offered a digital key capability, transforming the user’s smartphone into a key. However, the 14-inch touchscreen rapidly collected fingerprints and dust, and it lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. The HR-V’s Honda Sensing safety features were only available on the EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more.

The 2022 Lexus NX included every driver assistance and collision avoidance system in the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) collection. New features included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had an Emergency Driving Stop System, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, an adaptive front lighting system, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. The Vision Package included a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.