2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 stood out in its segment with a rugged-looking exterior reminiscent of a traditional SUV, catering to buyers' preference for stylish crossovers over conventional cars. It featured boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end that marked a sharp departure from its more approachable predecessors. These design elements contributed to an aggressive exterior that differentiated it from other compact crossovers, reinforcing the perception that the RAV4 was more than just an ordinary vehicle.

Beneath this bold façade, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with various other Toyota models. Though well-engineered and providing a solid foundation, the TNGA platform meant that mechanically, the RAV4 bore similarities to models like the Camry rather than traditional off-roaders.

Toyota offered several options to further enhance the RAV4's looks. The RAV4 Adventure model sported an Ice Edge (white) roof for a retro appeal, complemented by orange interior stitching and trim. The TRD Off-Road variant came with matte black 18-inch wheels (with a 19-inch option on some trims), standard LED fog lights, dark gray exterior trim, red interior accents, and a functional front skid plate.

Inside, the RAV4 had rugged styling elements, including large rubberized knobs and door handles, which added both functional and aesthetic value. While the material quality was decent on lower trims, it didn't sufficiently improve with higher trim levels. The TRD Off-Road model featured SofTex upholstery, lighter than leather and fairly durable, fitting for its outdoorsy character. However, real leather was not offered, even on the top-tier RAV4 Limited.

The 2022 Lexus NX, launching in December 2021, came in four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+, with a wide range of trim levels including base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury. The base prices ranged from $37,950 to $49,000, not including the destination charge.

The NX's design, a critical aspect for Lexus, was unmistakable with its sharp spindle grille and block lettering on the tailgate, signaling a new design direction for the brand. Its dimensions increased, offering more passenger and cargo space.

Most NX models featured NuLuxe simulated leather interiors, but the NX Luxury trim included real leather and open-pore wood trim. A panoramic sunroof was available for the first time, enhancing the luxury feel.

The NX 350 F Sport variant was distinct with its mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Its interior sported seats with better bolstering, a black headliner, an F Sport steering wheel, and unique instrumentation with a G-force meter. The decluttered interior focused on minimalism, which was different from the previously button-heavy dashboard, though perhaps a bit over-simplified, as some functions integrated into the 14-inch touchscreen were difficult to locate quickly.

The 2021 RAV4 offered a single gasoline engine option—a "Dynamic Force" 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain was available with either standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). For those seeking more power, the RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid options delivered 219 horsepower and 302 horsepower, respectively.

The Dynamic Force engine boasted 40% thermal efficiency, akin to racing engines, and featured high-revving capabilities with power peaking at 6,600 rpm. However, the transmission struggled to keep up, resulting in a laggy and less responsive driving experience. The steering, while quick to respond, lacked feel, leading to a somewhat video game-like driving experience.

Toyota included a "Sport" driving mode, but its primary effect was added steering weight, which compromised responsiveness. The overall on-road performance was disappointing, as the engine's potential was not fully realized within the ordinary crossover platform. Nonetheless, the RAV4 shone on the highway with low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension.

Off-road capability was a focus, particularly for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, which featured a torque-vectoring rear axle, 8.6 inches of ground clearance, model-specific suspension tuning, and Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires. The off-road variants also had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, compared to 1,500 pounds for other models.

For 2022, Lexus offered two electrified versions of the NX: the NX 350h hybrid with a combined 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of electric-only range.

The NX 350, however, featured a 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 all-wheel drive (AWD). This engine provided a more rewarding experience compared to the base NX 250, which had a less powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Both the NX 250 and NX 350 came with Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes. The NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, as well as an adaptive variable sports suspension with performance dampers and 20-inch wheels.

On winding roads, the F Sport felt taut and athletic, while the Luxury trim offered a more relaxed driving experience. Acceleration to 60 mph was claimed to take 6.6 seconds, a credible figure based on observed performance.

Despite the dynamic improvements, the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine didn't match the refinement of its German rivals' turbo engines. The handling was commendable, with the F Sport doing a better job than the Luxury trim of managing impacts from road imperfections. However, there was noticeable road and wind noise despite Lexus's noise-dampening efforts.

Off-road capabilities were limited, with only 7.7 inches of ground clearance and modest approach and departure angles, making the NX unsuitable for serious off-roading.

The RAV4's tall, upright roof provided ample headroom in both rows and good outward visibility. However, legroom in both rows was slightly behind many competitors. The front seats in the TRD Off-Road tester were extremely comfortable, but the rear seats had flat and hard bottom cushions, making long trips less appealing.

A 60/40 split-folding rear seat was standard, but it lacked the sliding feature found in competitors like the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue. Cargo space was above average at 37.6 cubic feet with the seats up but fell short of the segment-leading Honda CR-V. A wide aperture made loading cargo easier, although the cargo area lip was higher than in the Honda.

The oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls were user-friendly, even with gloves on. The center-console storage bin was large, and the space ahead of the shifter could hold smartphones. However, these design choices seemed to limit console storage, with smaller cupholders and minimal loose change storage.

The redesigned NX offered more interior room for passengers and cargo, although this wasn't immediately apparent from the driver’s seat due to the cozy dashboard design. The front seats were comfortable, especially with the available heating and ventilation, and the F Sport trim provided better bolstering for spirited driving. Lexus added thoughtful padding on the driver’s door panel and center console for comfort.

Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with features like rear air conditioning vents, heated rear cushions, and USB ports. Practical storage impressed in both rows, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space.

The NX now offered 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, a 14% increase from its predecessor. Folding the rear seats provided 46.9 cubic feet of cargo volume, though still less than the RAV4.

All RAV4 models came with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while Limited models had an 8-inch screen, and the RAV4 Prime offered a 9-inch screen option. Up to five USB ports were available, including three in the front and two in the rear. An optional JBL premium audio system enhanced the entertainment experience.

The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a touchscreen perched atop the dashboard. It was easy to read and featured shortcut buttons for key functions. However, it wasn't particularly flashy, and the gasoline RAV4 lacked the head-up display available in the RAV4 Prime.

Lexus made a significant technological leap with the redesigned NX, focusing on digital natives. The new Lexus Interface infotainment system featured large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, music streaming, and cloud-based functionalities. The outdated Remote Touch Interface was replaced with a more intuitive system.

A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen as an upgrade. Both versions included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant, and readiness for various connected service subscription plans. Over-the-air updates ensured the system stayed current.

A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium system available. The navigation system included an offline mode, mitigating issues with signal loss.

The Voice Assistant responded to natural commands from either front-seat occupant, and the Intelligent Assistant could access cloud-based Google POI data. A complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect was offered, including features like cloud-based navigation, destination assist, and Intelligent Assistant.

Additional technologies included User Profiles, digital key capability, a digital rearview mirror, and a comprehensive 10-inch head-up display. However, some annoyances included fingerprint collection on the touchscreen, the lack of multiple data panels, and the absence of a tuning knob.

The 2021 RAV4 earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with top scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech. It fell short of the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating due to mixed headlight scores.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the RAV4 a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests.

The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist. A 360-degree camera system was optional in certain packages.

Lexus equipped the 2022 NX with an extensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems, packaged in the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. This included the usual features along with new technologies such as:

• Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist: Steering support to avoid collisions.
• Oncoming Vehicle Detection: Automatic emergency braking for oncoming traffic.
• Oncoming Pedestrian Detection: Brakes the NX to avoid pedestrians while turning.
• Curve Speed Management: Adjusts speed for curves during adaptive cruise control.

These features, though advanced, were not all tested during the evaluation. The Emergency Driving Stop System was tested, safely stopping the SUV if the driver became unresponsive.

Standard equipment included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trims added adaptive front lighting, rear pedestrian detection, semi-autonomous parking, and rear cross-traffic braking. The Vision Package offered a panoramic view monitoring system and front cross-traffic alert.