2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the SUV's exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, but its black mats were notorious for attracting pet hair. The interior, with quality materials and a minivan-like front seat design, offered practicality but lacked excitement.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX presented a more refined and modern design. The NX was unmistakably a Lexus, with its signature spindle grille and simplified styling details. It was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The NX's interior embraced a minimalist approach, with a focus on comfort and thoughtful design elements. The F Sport trim added sporty touches, while the Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim. Despite its modern design, the NX's interior controls were integrated into a large touchscreen, which could be challenging to navigate quickly.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and refined power, making the SUV quick to accelerate. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system available. The Pilot offered a comfortable ride with its MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, and its handling was unexpectedly athletic. However, its off-road capability was limited by modest ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions, with the NX 350h hybrid producing 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. An eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters powered all four wheels. The NX 350 F Sport added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its sporty character. The NX's handling impressed, but the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of its German rivals. The NX was not designed for off-road use, with limited ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Honda Pilot provided ample space for families, seating up to eight people with a second-row bench seat. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain's chairs were available, offering nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The Pilot's third-row seat was less comfortable for adults, but storage was abundant throughout the cabin. Cargo space was generous, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 83.9 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room, though it felt cozy from the driver's seat. The front seats were comfortable, with better bolstering in the F Sport trim. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with seats folded. The Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system, adding a touch of elegance to the interior.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The Touring trim added navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a premium audio system. The infotainment system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and required specific voice prompts. The Touring trim also included a rear-seat entertainment system with various connectivity options.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant technological advancements with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen available. 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 system optional. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural commands, enhancing user experience. However, the large touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and more. The system was functional but not particularly refined. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high scores from the IIHS.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of ADAS. New features included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and more. The Emergency Driving Stop System was tested, demonstrating its ability to safely stop the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The NX also included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology.