2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Kia Seltos

The 2021 Kia Seltos, despite being a subcompact SUV, had a big-car feel with an upright layout and a commanding view of the road. Its headlight design, though busy, flowed well into the grille styling, and the lower front bumper had an aggressive approach angle. The two-tone roof design and red circles around the wheel centers added to its on-road driving dynamics. Inside, the Seltos featured a straightforward design layout with clean lines and seamlessly integrated tech features, reminiscent of more upscale brands like Audi. The clean LCD screen for climate controls and the sporty handle framing the tray below the center stack underscored its utilitarian yet sporty nature.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, was unmistakably a Lexus with its jutting spindle grille and refined styling details. Longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, the new NX offered more passenger and cargo space. The NX 350 F Sport distinguished itself with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, and 20-inch gloss black wheels. Inside, the F Sport featured sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, and unique instrumentation. The interior design was minimalist, with many functions integrated into the available 14-inch touchscreen, which could be challenging to use at first. However, physical controls for frequently used functions remained, and the electronic shifter was easy to acclimate to.

The 2021 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, S, and EX trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). AWD was standard on LX and EX and optional on the S. The base engine was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. The S Turbo and SX Turbo trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD. This engine provided ample power for both city and highway driving, especially in Sport Mode, which enhanced throttle response and steering feel. The Seltos handled well, with minimal body roll and a smooth ride over bumps.

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 pure 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, with FWD or optional AWD. Both the NX 250 and NX 350 had 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 responsive, while the NX 350 Luxury offered a softer ride. 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.

The 2021 Kia Seltos provided 26.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 62.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it one of the most spacious subcompact SUVs. The SX Turbo included a hard cargo cover that doubled as a tray. The Seltos had plenty of storage compartments and impressive rear-seat space with ample head- and legroom.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room, though it felt more intimate 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 featured better-bolstered seats, while rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX had a panoramic sunroof and a nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination system. Cargo space increased by 14%, with 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Kia Seltos featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the base S trim, while the SX Turbo had a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system was straightforward and intuitive, with helpful hard buttons for menu navigation. However, only one of the two USB ports allowed data connection, and plugging in a smartphone defaulted the audio to the phone’s output.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch touchscreen standard and an optional 14-inch screen. 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 premium system available. The new Voice Assistant responded to natural commands, and the NX included a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect. Additional features included User Profiles, digital key capability, a digital mirror, and a 10-inch head-up display. However, the 14-inch touchscreen collected fingerprints and reflections, and there was no tuning knob.

The 2021 Kia Seltos came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, electronic stability control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and child-seat anchor latches. All trims except the base LX included a suite of driver-assistance features such as forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The EX added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the SX included adaptive cruise control with idle stop-and-go and cyclist detection.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which featured advanced driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. New features included 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. 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.