2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, leading some to refer to it as a "Pilot Sport." Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout mirrored that of the Pilot, including Honda's awkward "button shifter" design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout. Trim levels ranged from Sport to Elite, each adding more features such as leather upholstery, power moonroof, and advanced audio systems.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, showcased a distinct Lexus design with a prominent 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. Interior options included NuLuxe simulated leather or real leather with open-pore wood trim in the Luxury model. The F Sport trim featured sport-bolstered seats and unique interior elements. The NX's minimalist interior design, however, integrated many functions into a large touchscreen, which could be challenging to use quickly.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the ride quality balanced comfort with refined handling. The Passport had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models included Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud modes. Towing capacity was up to 3,500 pounds for FWD models and 5,000 pounds for AWD models.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of electric range. 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 AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, available with FWD or AWD. The NX 350 F Sport included additional driving modes and an adaptive variable sports suspension. The NX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury trim.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet of under-floor storage was available. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console had ample storage space. Rear seats offered plenty of headroom and legroom, with the ability to recline and slide.

The 2022 Lexus NX claimed to offer more interior room, though it felt more intimate from the driver’s seat. 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. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX’s panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. Cargo space increased to 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

For 2021, the Honda Passport made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, included with the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. However, the system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of smartphone connectivity was a significant advantage.

The 2022 Lexus NX took a significant leap forward with its new Lexus Interface infotainment system. It featured large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, music streaming, and cloud-based features. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen optional. Both versions included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for connected service subscription plans. The system supported over-the-air updates and included a 10-speaker sound system, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural commands, and the NX included a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect service.

The 2021 Honda Passport came equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, with "Acceptable" ratings for headlights, child-seat anchor ease of use, and front crash prevention tech.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driver assistance systems such as Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, 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.