2022 Lexus NX vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front featured a parametric grille that hid standard LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals, forming a unique shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird when illuminated. The side profile borrowed design cues from the Hyundai Elantra, including a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. The rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof.

Inside, the Tucson's cabin was well-appointed, featuring standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, with sport combination and leather-trimmed seats available on higher trims. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered aesthetic gave the interior a sense of spaciousness. Standard features included roof rails (except on the SE trim), body-color side-mirror housing, solar glass, and acoustic laminated glass. Upgrading beyond the base model added heated outside mirrors with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist indicators, turn signals, front aero wipers, and the option of a sunroof.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series (NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+), offered a range of trim levels including base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury. Prices ranged from $37,950 to $49,000, excluding the $1,075 destination charge. The NX 250 and NX 350 were not electrified, while the NX 350h was a hybrid and the NX 450h+ a plug-in hybrid. The NX 350, with its turbocharged engine, was available in F Sport and Luxury trims.

The NX's design featured a distinctive spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. It was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. Most models had NuLuxe simulated leather, with real leather and open-pore wood trim available on the NX Luxury. The F Sport trim included a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, the F Sport featured sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, a new F Sport steering wheel, unique instrumentation, dark interior trim, and alloy pedals and scuff plates. The interior design was minimalist, with many functions integrated into the available 14-inch touchscreen, which could be challenging to use quickly.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. It was capable but uninspiring, targeting 28 mpg combined. The hybrid powertrain, with a six-speed transmission, offered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, making it more powerful and fun to drive. The Tucson Hybrid outperformed competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard on the Tucson Hybrid and optional on ICE models. In off-road testing, the AWD system performed well, similar to Subaru's reactive AWD system. Front-wheel drive Tucsons were the most fuel-efficient, with the ICE engine achieving 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. Adding AWD reduced these figures slightly. The Tucson Hybrid models were more fuel-efficient, with the most efficient version achieving 38 mpg city/highway/combined. The forthcoming Tucson plug-in hybrid (PHEV) was expected to offer 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h with 239 horsepower and 39 mpg combined, and the NX 450h+ PHEV with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. 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 standard AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, available with FWD or AWD.

Both the NX 250 and NX 350 offered Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes, with the NX 350 F Sport adding Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension and 20-inch wheels. The F Sport felt taut and lean on winding roads, while the NX 350 Luxury offered a softer driving character. Lexus estimated 25 mpg combined for the NX 350. The new NX was a dynamic improvement over its predecessor, though the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of German rivals. Handling was impressive, with the F Sport better isolating impacts from road imperfections. The NX was not suitable for off-road use, with limited ground clearance and approach/departure angles.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a spacious and well-appointed interior, comparable to competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Ford Escape. A six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats, ventilated front seats, memory for the driver’s seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat were also available. The tilt and telescoping steering wheel was standard, with leather-wrapping and heating on higher trims.

The new Tucson platform provided more room for passengers and cargo, with rear seats offering two inches more legroom than the RAV4. The cabin had ample space for a family of four, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area was comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V, and larger than the Escape. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models. A hands-free liftgate was available on mid-grade models and up.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room for people and cargo, though it felt more intimate from the driver’s seat. The new dashboard design created a cozy feeling, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel available. The F Sport trim featured better-bolstered seats, and Lexus padded the driver’s door panel and center console for added comfort.

Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The panoramic glass sunroof extended over the back seat. The NX Luxury trim included a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes. The climate system and ventilated front seats performed well in triple-digit heat. Lexus claimed a 14% increase in cargo space, with 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with a strong set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. A 4.2-inch multi-information display was in front of the driver. Moving up to the SEL/Blue trim added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, but required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The larger screen was embedded within a black plastic head unit that included climate control and radio/media functionality. The flat surface with touchpoints made it difficult to find the right button while driving, causing reliance on steering wheel controls and voice commands. The touchpoints were responsive, but the narrow steering wheel controls were less user-friendly.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 9.8-inch touchscreen display standard and a 14-inch screen optional. Standard equipment included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five connected service subscription plans. Over-the-air software updates kept the system up to date. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available.

The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands, with a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect service. This included cloud-based navigation, destination assist, and Intelligent Assistant technology. Additional connected services included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. User Profiles allowed for storing preferences and settings, with digital key capability available.

The NX also offered a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a panoramic view monitoring system. The 14-inch touchscreen collected fingerprints and dust, and lacked the ability to show multiple data panels simultaneously. The absence of a tuning knob was a notable drawback.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. The Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite included standard and available features such as forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert. Additional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera system, forward and reverse park distance warning, parking collision avoidance assist, ultrasonic rear occupant alert, and remote parking assist. Hyundai offered a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and 7-year anti-perforation warranty, along with 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.

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 Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. Standard features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing wipers, 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.