2022 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX carried forward the brand's signature design elements, offering a sharp and sculpted exterior that was reminiscent of its siblings, the smaller UX and larger RX. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models were noted for their distinct styling, with the F Sport variant adding sporty touches like a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the F Sport featured exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and a choice of interior color schemes, including a bold Circuit Red. The interior was praised for its excellent material fit and finish, though the design of the gauge cluster and center stack felt somewhat dated compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received a refreshed look with a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle changes to the rear fascia, giving it a chunkier appearance. The Equinox maintained a car-based crossover design, avoiding the rugged styling of some rivals. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the center. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior was considered too subdued. Overall, the Equinox's materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range, though it lacked some distinctive styling features.

The 2021 Lexus NX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission, which was adequate but not as smooth as the newer multi-speed transmissions found in some competitors. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, offering a relatively quiet ride except under hard acceleration. The F Sport model included Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note, though some considered it a gimmick. The NX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available, allowing up to 50% of torque to be transferred to the rear axle. Fuel economy was average, with the FWD model achieving 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The NX had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It used a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The Equinox had more torque than many rivals, making it responsive in city driving, but the lack of horsepower was noticeable at higher speeds. The engine felt coarse and unresponsive at higher rpm, and the transmission's shifts were somewhat rough. The Equinox was not designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors, but it provided decent comfort on rough roads.

The 2021 Lexus NX offered a comfortable and upscale interior, with front seats providing ample room for adults and the second row accommodating two adults comfortably. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the NX featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. However, cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The NX included a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and optional power-folding rear seats.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered a tall seating position and good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons were prominently placed, and the cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked some storage features found in competitors.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 10.3-inch screen with the Navigation package. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the Lexus interface was considered less user-friendly. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a WiFi hotspot. The NX offered a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system on the top-tier model and was compatible with the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app, providing remote access to various vehicle functions.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, upgradeable to an 8-inch screen on higher trims. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The Chevy MyLink system was praised for its ease of use and smartphone-like menu icons. The Equinox offered multiple USB ports and power outlets, though the center-console slot for phones was too small. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more features, the Equinox's infotainment system was considered adequate for its purpose.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included park assist and a surround-view camera system. The NX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It was backed by a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and Chevy’s Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. Some features were standard on competitors but optional on the Equinox.