2022 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim did not impress with its new treatment. A suspension lift and more aggressive tires would have been more convincing. The side steps, while useful for roof rack access, impeded entry and exit and reduced the breakover angle for off-roading. Unless the roof rack was used regularly, the XRT's visual enhancements were not recommended. The XRT was one of five gasoline trims, priced higher than the SE and SEL but lower than the Limited and Calligraphy trims. It included the SEL's Convenience Package and came with either FWD or AWD, starting at $34,095. The test vehicle, in Portofino Gray with a black cloth interior, had an MSRP of $35,940. Despite the lack of visual contrast, the interior's thoughtful design and quality were commendable for the price point.

The redesigned 2022 Lexus NX, available in four model series (NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+), offered a range of trim levels from base to Luxury, with prices starting at $37,950. The NX 350, focused on in this review, featured a turbocharged engine and came in F Sport and Luxury trims. The NX's design, with its spindle grille and new block lettering, was unmistakably Lexus. The new model was longer, wider, and taller, providing more passenger and cargo space. The NX 350 F Sport stood out with its unique grille, 20-inch wheels, and sport-bolstered seats, while the Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim. The interior's minimalist design, though a departure from the previous model, sometimes made it difficult to locate features quickly.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. With nearly two tons of curb weight, the engine was adequate for freeway speeds and cruising but lacked the power for quick acceleration or climbing hills. The eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, with pushbutton controls for gear selection. Driving modes included Comfort, Smart, Sport, and Snow, with the ability to lock the AWD system for maximum traction. The test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 24 mpg. The ride quality was good, with excellent suspension isolation and a quiet cabin. Handling, steering, and braking were satisfactory, though the XRT's cosmetic enhancements did not improve off-road performance.

The 2022 Lexus NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 350's turbocharged powertrain was more rewarding than the base NX 250's 2.5-liter engine. The F Sport trim added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The NX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury trim. The NX's handling was impressive, though the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of German rivals. The F Sport trim provided better impact isolation, while both trims had more road and wind noise than expected.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT included dual-zone automatic climate control with a Clean Air ionizer and rear air conditioning vents. The eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats offered ample space and comfort, with rear side-window shades and USB charging ports. The Smart Tailgate feature allowed hands-free opening but could be overly sensitive. The Santa Fe had 36.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 72.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room, though it felt cozier from the driver's seat. Heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel added comfort, with better bolstering in the F Sport trim. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, rear air conditioning vents, and USB ports. The NX's panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. The Luxury trim included a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes. Cargo space increased to 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large knobs and clean graphics. Bluelink connected services included remote engine starting and a car finding feature. The XRT did not have the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen or Harman Kardon sound system available in higher trims. Digital key technology allowed Android smartphones to unlock and start the vehicle. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was a thoughtful addition.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or optional 14-inch touchscreen. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and cloud-based services. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The new Voice Assistant responded to natural commands, and a three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect included cloud-based navigation and Intelligent Assistant. Additional technologies included a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and digital key capability. The larger touchscreen collected fingerprints and dust, and there was no tuning knob.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT came with Hyundai SmartSense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Junction Turning Detection system and Safe Exit Assist were also standard. The ultrasonic rear occupant alert system monitored the interior for movement. Bluelink added features like automatic emergency assistance and vehicle speed alerts. The Santa Fe earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance score.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. Standard features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, 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.