2022 Mazda CX-30 vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, offered a range of trim levels from base to Luxury, with prices starting at $37,950. The NX 350, particularly in F Sport and Luxury trims, stood out with its distinctive Lexus design, featuring a prominent spindle grille and refined styling details. The SUV was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior was minimalist, with a focus on decluttering, though some controls integrated into the touchscreen were not immediately intuitive. The NX 350 F Sport distinguished itself with sporty design elements and interior features, while the Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30, resembling a downsized CX-5, shared its platform with the Mazda3, giving it a raised hatchback feel. Its raked windshield, while stylish, could distort the view for taller drivers. The cabin was comfortable and quiet, with a blend of conventional and digital displays. The infotainment system, though elegant, had a steep learning curve due to its rotary dial control. The CX-30 came in various trims, with the Turbo Premium Plus offering advanced features like front-and-rear parking sensors and driver assistance technologies. The interior design was praised for its solid feel and thoughtful storage solutions, though rear-seat headroom was limited compared to larger models.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions, with the NX 350h hybrid producing 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivering 302 horsepower. The NX 350, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, generated 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, providing a smooth and responsive driving experience. The F Sport trim added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its athletic feel. The NX 350's acceleration to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds was credible, though the engine's sound was less refined than some competitors. The NX was not suited for off-road adventures, with limited ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 186 horsepower, while the turbocharged version offered up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel. The turbocharged engine provided lively acceleration, especially in Sport mode, which altered throttle response and shift mapping. The CX-30's conventional shifter and paddle shifters added to its sporty feel. The ride was refined, with quick and precise steering, though it could be rough over potholes. The suspension handled dirt and gravel roads well, but craggy paved roads were less forgiving.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room, though it felt cozy from the driver's seat. The front seats were comfortable, with heated and ventilated options, and the F Sport trim provided better bolstering. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with practical storage space and a panoramic sunroof. The NX's cargo space increased to 22.7 cubic feet, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in use, expanding to 45.2 cubic feet when folded. The Turbo Premium Plus model featured a power rear liftgate, enhancing convenience. The front seats had a sliding center console cover, though it could get stuck when the rear seats were folded. Rear seats offered solid headroom for short-to-medium trips, though longer drives might be less comfortable.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen and an optional 14-inch screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and cloud-based features. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The NX offered a range of connected services, including navigation, music streaming, and safety features. The digital mirror and head-up display added to the tech offerings, though the touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30's infotainment system was controlled by a rotary dial, with no touch functionality. The system was inspired by luxury-car setups but was criticized for its usability. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though navigating them with the dial was challenging. The system required time to learn, and switching between presets was cumbersome. Despite its elegant design, the infotainment system was not user-friendly.

The 2022 Lexus NX came with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. New technologies included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System was tested, demonstrating its ability to safely stop the vehicle if the driver was unresponsive. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 was equipped with standard driver-assistance features like forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The CX-30 earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with a five-star rating and a Top Safety Pick+ award, respectively. The head-up display was clear and readable with polarized lenses, and the electronic parking brake required the seatbelt to be fastened before disengaging.