2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson featured a design that was conventional yet appealing, catering to drivers who preferred a small crossover with an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road. Inside, the Tucson impressed with a modern, attractive dash design where tech features seamlessly blended into the overall aesthetic. The layout ensured that every button and dial was easy to find, adding to the convenience and user-friendliness of the cabin environment.

The Tucson came in multiple trims: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. Each trim level added a layer of sophistication:

• SE Trim: Standard features included 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, a digital driver information display, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Value Trim: Enhanced with LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, roof rails, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, HD radio, satellite radio, and a one-touch function for the driver’s power window.
• SEL Trim: Added 18-inch alloy wheels, upgraded lower exterior accents, a rear-seat USB power outlet, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
• Sport Trim: Featured 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, fog lights, a hands-free power liftgate, wireless device charging, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift-knob, and an Infinity premium audio system.
• Limited Trim: Offered a 360-degree camera system, integrated side-mirror turn signals, chrome exterior accents, leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat, and a heated steering wheel.
• Ultimate Trim: Topped it off with a color trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, an 8-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof.

In comparison, the 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned with a futuristic look, embodied the unmistakable Lexus style, including the brand’s signature spindle grille. This compact crossover offered refined attention to detail in styling, which resonated with the recently updated Lexus IS sports sedan. The new NX boasted longer, wider, and taller dimensions than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space.

Trim levels for the NX included NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+, with available configurations spanning base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury trims. Each model projected a unique personality:

• Base and Premium Trims: Most models came with NuLuxe simulated leather upholstery, while the higher-end Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim.
• F Sport Trim: Showcased a sporty character with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, black mirrors, sport-bolstered seats, and a black headliner. The sporty interior featured an F Sport steering wheel, unique instrumentation, dark trim, and alloy pedals and scuff plates.

Inside, the Lexus NX underwent significant decluttering from its previous iteration, transitioning to a minimalist cabin with fewer physical buttons and knobs. The redesigned dashboard created a more intimate environment, but some found that the overreliance on the touchscreen for various functions made it challenging to locate and use certain features quickly.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson was powered by two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a more robust 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, available in the SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims. Both engines came paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering standard front-wheel drive (FWD) with an optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

The base 2.0-liter engine struggled somewhat in both city and highway driving scenarios, whereas the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier driving experience, particularly around town. The Tucson offered a commendable ride quality, striking a balance between comfort and agility, making it an appropriate choice for daily commutes. The towing capacity stood at 1,500 pounds with the base engine and 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

Conversely, the 2022 Lexus NX offered four powertrains, underscoring its commitment to electrification. The NX 350h hybrid combined power output at 239 horsepower and provided an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, based on the Toyota RAV4 Prime, offered a total of 302 horsepower with a 36-mile electric-only range before switching to hybrid operation.

The NX 350 outshined other non-hybrid models with its 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. It accelerated from 0-60 mph in a claimed 6.6 seconds. The NX 250, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with the same eight-speed CVT and optional AWD.

Driving modes such as Normal, Sport, and Eco were standard on both the NX 250 and NX 350, while the NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, coupled with an adaptive variable sport suspension for enhanced driving dynamics. Fuel economy varied, with real-world figures showing 22.2 mpg for the NX 350 F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the NX 350 Luxury, against Lexus's estimate of 25 mpg combined.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Although this capacity was slightly below average for the compact SUV segment, it provided a suitable area for typical weekend getaways or occasional larger items. Higher trims offered the convenience of a hands-free power liftgate.

Inside, the Tucson accommodated passengers with its comfortable and supportive front seats, ample headroom, and legroom. The rear seats were reasonably spacious for adults on longer trips. Various compartments and cubby spaces throughout the vehicle catered to everyday storage needs, enhancing overall practicality.

The 2022 Lexus NX, by contrast, offered less cargo space at 22.7 cubic feet with rear seats in use and 46.9 cubic feet with seats folded, despite claims of increased interior room. The front cabin exuded a cozy and intimate feel, bolstered by a new dashboard design. Comfort was paramount, with optional heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim featured enhanced front seat bolstering for more dynamic driving experiences.

Rear seats in the NX provided spacious accommodations along with amenities such as rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB charging ports. An available panoramic sunroof extended to cover the rear cabin, adding an airy and luxurious vibe. Thematic Ambient Illumination, available in the Luxury trim, offered 14 ambient themes, although this feature was not evaluated under less favorable lighting conditions.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson boasted a user-friendly technological suite, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim and other high-tier models offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging. The intuitive layout made both variants easy to use, complemented by helpful hard buttons for essential functions.

Lexus took a significant leap in technological advancement with the 2022 NX. The Lexus Interface infotainment system featured prominently, encompassing large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, music streaming services, and cloud-based features. The standard 9.8-inch touchscreen was upgradable to a 14-inch screen, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and multiple connected service subscriptions. The outdated touchpad was thankfully replaced in this upgrade.

Standard configurations included a 10-speaker sound system, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available optionally. Though streaming music was hampered by remote location driving, the navigation system's offline mode proved useful. Lexus's new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant technology allowed natural language control over various functions, accompanied by a complimentary three-year subscription to Drive Connect and other services.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided an impressive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Advanced features were available in higher trims, such as adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Safety ratings were strong, with the Tucson earning five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Advanced safety technology was a hallmark of the 2022 Lexus NX, with the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) encompassing a comprehensive array of features. New additions included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. Emergency Driving Stop System was another noteworthy feature, designed to bring the NX to a controlled stop if the driver became unresponsive.

Premium trims enhanced the safety suite with rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. The Vision Package added panoramic view monitoring, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance with adaptive cruise control.