2021 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Hyundai Kona was a small SUV that embraced a funky and playful design, appealing to younger buyers. Its exterior featured a busy front with multiple lighting elements, including a grille flanked by lights, additional lights above, and fog lights on some trims. The rear design was more subdued, adopting a standard crossover shape. Inside, the Kona maintained its playful vibe with neat seat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, with options for leather upgrades. The interior was well-organized, featuring a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen and intuitive physical climate controls, making it user-friendly despite its compact size.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX presented a more refined and minimalist design, aligning with Lexus's focus on design as a brand pillar. The NX was unmistakably a Lexus, with its signature spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. It was larger than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior was simple yet luxurious, with options for NuLuxe simulated leather or real leather and open-pore wood trim in the Luxury model. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like a unique grille, sport-bolstered seats, and a black headliner. The NX's interior was decluttered, with most functions integrated into a large touchscreen, though some users found this approach a bit too minimalist.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona offered two powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivered 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional cost. While neither engine was particularly powerful, they provided sufficient power for city and highway driving. The Kona's handling was surprisingly confident, offering a fun and agile driving experience. Fuel economy varied depending on the configuration, with the base engine and FWD achieving an EPA-estimated 27/33/30 mpg city/highway/combined.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrains, including electrified options. The NX 350h hybrid produced a combined 239 horsepower, while the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offered 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 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, with FWD standard and AWD optional. The NX 350 F Sport added driving modes and an adaptive variable sports suspension, enhancing its sporty character. 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 model. Despite its improvements, the NX's turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of some German rivals.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona provided decent front-seat headroom and legroom, with controls easily accessible to both front passengers. The seats were wide and well-padded but lacked sufficient support for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers had good headroom but limited legroom, and large rear-facing car seats could pose challenges for taller front passengers. The Kona's cargo space was limited compared to competitors, though folding the rear seats expanded the area. Small-item storage was generous, with large door pockets and a spacious center console.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room, though it felt cozy 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 spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space. Cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona came equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Optional features included SiriusXM radio, navigation, wireless device charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a simple and responsive interface that required minimal clicks to access features.

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. Both versions included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and access to connected service subscription plans. 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 voice commands, enhancing user interaction. The NX also featured cloud-based services, digital key capability, and a digital mirror. However, the large touchscreen collected fingerprints and reflections, and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention warning system, and rear occupant alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and parking sensors.

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, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Safe Exit Assist, and rear pedestrian detection. Premium trim added an adaptive front lighting system, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. A Vision Package offered a panoramic view monitoring system and front cross-traffic alert.