2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of the Swedish brand's rebirth under Geely Holding Group, showcased a blend of elegance and innovation. Built on Volvo's SPA platform, the XC60 shared its architecture with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles, offering a cohesive design language. Its exterior featured a sophisticated two-box design with short overhangs and athletic body lines, highlighted by the iconic Thor's hammer LED headlights. Inside, the XC60 exuded Scandinavian charm with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, once a novelty, had become a familiar and user-friendly feature by 2021. The interior's attention to detail, from the elegant HVAC vents to the harmonious textures and colors, elevated the XC60 to near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX, available in four model series, presented a bold design with its signature spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior adopted a minimalist approach, moving away from the cluttered dashboard of the previous model. The NX 350 F Sport stood out with sport-bolstered seats, a unique steering wheel, and dark interior trim. While the decluttered design aimed for simplicity, some functions integrated into the 14-inch touchscreen proved challenging to locate quickly. Despite these minor drawbacks, the NX's interior comfort, especially with heated and ventilated seats, and the panoramic sunroof, provided a pleasant driving experience.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model delivered 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, available in both FWD and AWD. The T6 variant, with its turbocharger and supercharger, produced 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the T8 plug-in hybrid combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, achieving 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Polestar Engineered model further enhanced performance to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring ensured agile handling, while the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 57 MPGe in electric-only mode for the T8 PHEV.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions, with the NX 350h hybrid producing 239 hp and achieving 39 mpg combined, and the NX 450h+ PHEV delivering 302 hp with a 36-mile electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine generating 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 engine, offered 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, with FWD standard and AWD optional. The NX 350 F Sport provided a dynamic driving experience with adaptive suspension and multiple driving modes, while the Luxury trim offered a more relaxed ride. 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.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in providing comfort and practicality. Its front seats were highly adjustable, and the heating system effectively tackled harsh winter conditions. The cabin offered smart storage solutions, with intuitive controls for passengers. The XC60 provided 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Lexus NX, while claiming increased interior space, felt more intimate from the driver's seat due to its new dashboard design. The NX offered comfortable seating, especially with heated and ventilated options, and thoughtful padding for driver comfort. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space and amenities, including air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, known for its tablet-style touchpad interface. While it required a learning curve, frequent iPad users found it intuitive. The system offered smartphone integration, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, featuring large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, and cloud-based features. The standard 9.8-inch touchscreen could be upgraded to a 14-inch version, both offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included Voice Assistant technology and various connected service subscription plans. The Mark Levinson premium surround system, available as an option, delivered impressive audio quality. The NX also offered a digital mirror, head-up display, and digital key capability.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 boasted a strong safety heritage, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping aid. Volvo's semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems such as Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Oncoming Vehicle Detection. The Emergency Driving Stop System ensured safety in case of driver unresponsiveness. The NX also offered blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection and adaptive front lighting.