2023 Dodge Durango vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, offered a fresh take on the compact crossover SUV. With base prices ranging from $37,950 to $49,000, the NX was built in Cambridge, Ontario, and featured a distinctive design with a prominent spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The NX 350 F Sport stood out with its unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, and 20-inch gloss black wheels. Inside, the NX embraced a minimalist approach, with a decluttered dashboard and a focus on quality materials, although some controls integrated into the touchscreen were less intuitive.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango maintained its familiar yet attractive design, avoiding oversized grilles and opting for clean, car-like styling. The Durango's signature "racetrack" taillights and subtle SRT styling features added to its appeal. The interior, while not as distinctive as the exterior, offered a comfortable and spacious environment with materials suited to various trim levels. The Durango Citadel and SRT models provided luxurious features like Nappa leather upholstery and heated seats, while the SRT Hellcat added bold red leather upholstery for a touch of flair.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrains, including the electrified NX 350h and NX 450h+ models. The NX 350h delivered 239 horsepower and an impressive 39 mpg in combined driving, while the NX 450h+ boasted 302 horsepower and a 36-mile electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350 F Sport added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its dynamic capabilities.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a variety of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine producing 293 horsepower. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 horsepower, while the SRT Hellcat boasted a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 710 horsepower. The Hellcat's performance was exhilarating, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, although its size made it less agile on twisty roads.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a comfortable interior with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim offered sport-bolstered seats, while rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space and amenities like rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased to 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with spacious accommodations across all three rows. While cargo space was less than some competitors, the Durango provided 17.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 85.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

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 also offered a digital mirror, head-up display, and various connected services.

The 2023 Dodge Durango came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models featured a 10.1-inch screen with Uconnect 5. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with unique SRT Easter Eggs and Performance Pages for performance data. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driver assistance systems like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Oncoming Vehicle Detection. The NX also offered blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Additional features included rear pedestrian detection and a Vision Package with a panoramic view monitoring system.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while forward collision warning and other advanced features were limited to higher trims. The Durango's safety offerings were less comprehensive compared to the NX.