2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since its 2005 launch, continued to impress with its luxurious design and advanced features. The 2018 refresh, which carried over into 2021, introduced a dual-screen center console that became a hallmark of Land Rover interiors. This model offered a variety of trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control to the high-end Autobiography with 22-way power-adjustable seats and power soft-close doors. The SVR performance model stood out with a powerful V8 engine and sport-oriented features, while the SVR Carbon Edition added carbon fiber accents for a more aggressive look.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, showcased a modern and refined design with its signature spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The NX offered more passenger and cargo space, with NuLuxe simulated leather in most models and real leather in the Luxury trim. The F Sport trim distinguished itself with sporty design elements and enhanced interior features. The NX's minimalist interior design, while a departure from its predecessor, aimed for simplicity but sometimes sacrificed functionality. The new model's longer, wider, and taller dimensions provided a more spacious feel, complemented by available features like a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrain options, starting with the base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, which combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more potent P400 version, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The P400e plug-in hybrid variant combined a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with electric assist, generating 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine in the HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims produced 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition models boasted 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, offering impressive off-road capabilities and a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions, with the NX 350h hybrid producing 239 horsepower and achieving an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving. The NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 302 hp and an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 250, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, with FWD and optional AWD. The NX 350 F Sport offered additional driving modes and an adaptive variable sports suspension, providing a more dynamic driving experience. The NX's handling was improved over the previous model, though it faced challenges with road and wind noise.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven but reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet. The first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was best suited for children.

The 2022 Lexus NX claimed a 14% increase in cargo space, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The new dashboard design created a more intimate feel, and the interior was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. The Luxury trim featured ambient lighting with 14 themes, enhancing the interior atmosphere.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a dual-screen center console, with the lower screen controlling climate and vehicle settings and the upper screen housing the infotainment system. While the system had a learning curve and some bugs in earlier models, it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system's dials allowed for control of various functions, but the overall experience was not as intuitive as some competitors.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, featuring large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, and cloud-based features. 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 multiple connected service subscription plans. The Mark Levinson premium surround system was an option, providing excellent sound quality. The new tech impressed but faced criticism for fingerprint collection, reflection issues, and the lack of a tuning knob.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available at an extra cost. Other options included a surround-view parking camera and a head-up display.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced technologies like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. Standard features included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, with additional options like rear pedestrian detection and a panoramic view monitoring system available.