2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Once a utilitarian vehicle, it now boasted features like heated, ventilated, and massaging seats wrapped in premium leather. The Range Rover's design, despite nearing a decade old, remained timeless with its clean lines and hallmark design cues. Inside, the cabin exuded luxury with its high-contrast Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance. However, the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, while functional, was not as advanced as newer systems, requiring some patience to master.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX presented a fresh, modern design with a focus on simplicity and refinement. The NX was unmistakably a Lexus, featuring the brand's signature spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The redesigned model was longer, wider, and taller, offering more space for passengers and cargo. Inside, the NX embraced a minimalist approach, with a decluttered dashboard and a focus on comfort. The F Sport trim added sporty elements like bolstered seats and unique instrumentation, while the Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim. The NX's interior was designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with thoughtful touches like padded door panels and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Range Rover's 4WD system, with a two-speed transfer case and Terrain Response 2 traction control, ensured its legendary off-road capability. Despite its weight and tall center of gravity, the Range Rover provided a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension that filtered road harshness. However, its steering was slow to respond, and side-to-side wallow was noticeable on uneven roads. The EPA estimated 20 mpg in combined driving, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Lexus NX, particularly the NX 350 F Sport, offered a dynamic driving experience with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid provided electrified options, with the latter offering 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of electric range. The NX's platform, with a lower center of gravity and reduced curb weight, contributed to its composed handling. The F Sport trim added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its sporty character. The NX 350's fuel economy was estimated at 25 mpg combined, with observed figures of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury trim. While the NX excelled on paved roads, it was not designed for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit, though shorter passengers still found it challenging. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for a small center-console bin. The cargo area offered 25 cubic feet of space, expandable to 59.8 cubic feet, but was less than some competitors. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a more intimate and cozy interior, with comfortable heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim offered 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. The Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes. Cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover's technology included a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system, while functional, was not entirely intuitive and could be distracting while driving. The Range Rover featured a comprehensive head-up display, but it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The waterproof Activity Key wristband allowed owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle during activities. An iGuide smartphone app served as a digital owner's manual.

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. 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 system optional. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural commands, and a complimentary three-year trial of Drive Connect service was included. The NX also featured User Profiles, digital key capability, and a digital mirror. However, the 14-inch touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and parking sensors. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, but the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring 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. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, and semi-autonomous parking assist.