2022 Lexus NX vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, extending its length by 1.6 inches compared to the 2021 model. The updated front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and new character lines gave the Kona a more sophisticated appearance. The sporty new body lines were complemented by lower body cladding, and new alloy wheel designs rounded out the exterior changes. Inside, the instrument panel and center console were separated to create a more spacious look, and new ambient lighting added a touch of sophistication. The addition of two new trim levels, the N Line and Kona N, brought unique styling elements and sportier features, making the Kona look more athletic.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, offered a more refined and simplified design. The NX featured a longer, wider, and taller body, providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior was minimalist, with fewer buttons and knobs, and the NX 350 F Sport trim added sporty elements like a unique mesh-pattern grille and 20-inch gloss black wheels. The NX's interior was comfortable, with padded areas for the driver's legs and well-bolstered seats in the F Sport trim. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. The NX also featured a nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination system in the Luxury trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of engines and transmissions. The SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The N Line and Limited trims had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The Kona N trim boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also featured exclusive driving features like N Grin Shift and N Power Shift. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive (AWD), provided ample power and a sporty driving experience.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive (FWD) and an optional AWD. The NX 350 F Sport trim added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The F Sport trim provided a taut and lean driving experience, while the NX 350 Luxury trim offered a softer and more relaxed character. The NX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, and the F Sport trim achieved 22.2 mpg, while the Luxury trim achieved 25.5 mpg.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its small size, provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat passengers faced limited headroom and legroom, and the rear door openings were small. Cargo space was tight, with 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Towing was not recommended for the Kona.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room for passengers and cargo. The new dashboard design created a cozy feeling, and the front seats were comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated options. The F Sport trim provided better bolstering for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. The NX had 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona added more tech features for the 2022 model year. The base SE trim had an 8-inch display, while the SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Hyundai Blue Link. The Limited and Kona N trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and traffic information. An eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system was optional on the N Line and standard on the Limited and Kona N. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base 8-inch screen, while the larger screen had wired versions. The Kona also offered Digital Key, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch touchscreen display, and a 14-inch screen was an optional upgrade. Standard equipment included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available as an option. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands. The NX also offered a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and User Profiles for storing preferences and settings.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona's driver aid menu included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-following assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Available technologies included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, Highway Drive Assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. The Kona received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all six crashworthiness tests.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) collection of technologies, featuring Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, an adaptive front lighting system, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. The Vision Package included a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.