2021 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe defied expectations with its pricing. Typically, new vehicles seem overpriced, but the Santa Fe made you wonder why it didn't cost more. This five-passenger midsize SUV offered a choice between two new gasoline engines and a new gas-electric hybrid powertrain. Trim levels for gas models included SE, SEL, Limited, and Calligraphy, while hybrids came in Blue, SEL Premium, and Limited trims. Pricing ranged from $26,850 to $39,950 MSRP, with AWD costing an additional $1,700 for gas models but standard for hybrids. The Santa Fe featured a redesigned front end with new running lights, grille, and bumper, and each trim level had unique wheel, grille, and headlight combinations. Inside, new colors, patterns, and textures elevated the Santa Fe's interior, with a new bridge-style center console and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel adding a high-tech touch.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and 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. Base prices ranged from $37,950 to $49,000, excluding the $1,075 destination charge. 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 featured a distinctive spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. It was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. Most NX models had NuLuxe simulated leather, with real leather and open-pore wood trim in the Luxury trim. The F Sport trim included unique design elements like a mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, and 20-inch gloss black wheels. Inside, the F Sport had sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, and unique instrumentation.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Santa Fe Hybrids featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a starter/generator, an electric drive motor, and a six-speed automatic transmission, producing a total of 226 hp. The higher-level Limited and Calligraphy trims had a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed wet-plate dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe also offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes. The turbocharged engine provided impressive performance, with the EPA rating both powertrains at 24 mpg in combined driving. During testing, the Santa Fe averaged 22.4 mpg, mainly in Smart mode.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured two electrified versions. The NX 350h had a combined output of 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving, while the NX 450h+ was a 302-hp plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 had a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, with FWD and an optional AWD. Both the NX 250 and NX 350 offered Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes, while the NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The NX 350 F Sport felt taut and lean, while the NX 350 Luxury offered a softer driving character. Lexus estimated 25 mpg in combined driving for the NX 350, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe provided ample interior space for those who didn't need a third-row seat. All trims included dual-zone automatic climate control with Clean Air ionization, and cloth seats used stain-resistant fabric. Leather was available for the SEL and standard in the Limited trim. The Calligraphy trim featured a suede-like headliner and premium Nappa leather. The Santa Fe offered comfortable seating with an eight-way power driver’s seat starting with the SEL trim, and heated and ventilated front seats in the Limited and Calligraphy trims. The rear seat was spacious, with air-conditioning vents, quick-charge USB ports, a power outlet, and rear side-window sunshades. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room for people and cargo, 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 had better-bolstered seats, while the Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX had a panoramic glass sunroof extending over the back seat. Lexus claimed a 14% increase in cargo space, with 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was loaded with technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch color head-up display (HUD). The basic 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 10.25-inch touchscreen had wired versions, upgraded voice-recognition technology, and enhanced Blue Link connected services. The Santa Fe offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system and Blue Link subscription services for three years. Features included remote engine start, climate control adjustment, and seat heating or ventilation activation. The Santa Fe also had Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist technology.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with 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 five connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available. The NX also had a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display (HUD), and User Profiles for storing preferences and settings. The new tech in the NX was impressive, though the 14-inch touchscreen collected fingerprints and dust and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered an impressive list of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning assistance, Safe Exit Assist, and a rear-occupant alert system. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist were also standard with Calligraphy trim. The Santa Fe earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS when equipped with LED projector headlights.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) with features like 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.