2023 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Lexus NX

When the redesigned 2022 Lexus NX hit the market in December 2021, it arrived with four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. These models came in various trims, including base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury, with prices ranging from $37,950 to $49,000, excluding the $1,075 destination charge. The NX 250 and NX 350 were non-electrified, while the NX 350h was a hybrid, and the NX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid.

Design was a core element for Lexus, and the NX retained its signature spindle grille, with styling details reflecting a simplified and refined approach. New block lettering for the brand name was introduced on the tailgate, a trend that was expected to spread across the entire Lexus lineup. The NX expanded in dimensions, offering increased passenger and cargo space. Depending on the model, interiors featured NuLuxe simulated leather or genuine leather and open-pore wood trim in the Luxury trim. The panoramic sunroof was a new addition for the NX. The F Sport variant stood out with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, it boasted sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, an F Sport steering wheel, unique instrumentation, and alloy pedals.

The minimalist interior of the 2022 NX, as opposed to the button-heavy dashboard of its predecessor, aimed for simplicity but might have gone a bit too far. The 14-inch touchscreen, integrating numerous functions including climate control, could be challenging for drivers to navigate quickly. Fortunately, commonly used controls for stereo volume and temperature adjustments remained physical. An electronic shifter on the center console was straightforward to use, though the turn signal felt cheap.

In contrast, the 2023 Kia Sportage marked a significant redesign, adopting a look that some likened to French automakers like Renault or Peugeot. This wasn't a critique; the 2023 Sportage was praised for its exciting and exotic appearance, with features such as boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D-pillar. The 2023 Sportage offered seven trim levels: LX, EX, SX, SX Prestige, X-Line, X-Pro, and X-Pro Prestige. The interior moved away from leather seating upholstery in favor of durable synthetic leather, with cloth seats for the base LX trim.

The driver’s view in the Sportage was notably improved by a large windshield and low beltline, offering excellent peripheral visibility. Higher trims boasted over two feet of display on the dash, combining a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface with a 12.3-inch driver information display. However, some areas like the touch-sensitive HVAC controls were frustrating, as they toggled between climate and navigation functions. Despite these quirks, the Sportage provided a stylish and technologically advanced interior.

For the 2022 Lexus NX, two electrified versions were available: the NX 350h hybrid with a combined output of 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and a 36-mile pure electric range. The NX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The base NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with a CVT, with FWD as standard and AWD optional. The NX 350 featured Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes, while the F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, along with adaptive variable sports suspension. The NX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. However, some drawbacks were noted, such as the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine's lack of smoothness compared to German competitors and unexpected road and wind noise.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, available for the first time as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, offered a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, less powerful than the Sportage Hybrid’s turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. Despite its larger size and slightly increased power compared to the outgoing model, the naturally aspirated engine didn’t provide a particularly punchy driving experience. The Sportage’s gas-powered model’s fuel efficiency was rated at 28 mpg combined for FWD and 25 mpg combined for AWD.

Kia introduced the X-Line treatment for the Sportage, which added rugged visual elements like 19-inch alloy wheels and black trim, but no off-road enhancements. For off-road features, the X-Pro trims offered BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, AT-tire-tuned drive modes, and smaller 17-inch wheels. The Sportage’s 8.3 inches of ground clearance and off-road features made it capable off-pavement, though less refined on-road with a heavier lean in corners and more road noise.

Lexus claimed the 2022 NX offered more interior room, but from the driver’s seat, it felt cozy and intimate due to the new dashboard design. The front seats, especially with F Sport trim, were well-bolstered and comfortable, with additional padding on the driver’s door panel and center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed spacious accommodations, rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB charger ports. Practical storage space was abundant, and the panoramic glass sunroof added to the spacious feel. The NX had 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, now significantly larger, offered impressive rear-seat legroom of 41.3 inches and 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Sportage provided ample storage space in the front seats, with a cubby ahead of the shifter, tandem cupholders, and a spacious center console bin. However, the touch-sensitive HVAC controls could be frustrating, complicating basic functions by toggling between climate and navigation controls.

The 2022 Lexus NX made a significant leap with its new Lexus Interface infotainment system, designed to attract younger, tech-savvy buyers. The system offered large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, music streaming, and cloud-based features. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with an optional 14-inch screen, both including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and multiple connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium system. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural commands from either front-seat occupant. The NX also featured User Profiles, digital key capability, a digital mirror, and a comprehensive head-up display. However, the 14-inch touchscreen collected fingerprints rapidly and reflected sunlight, and lacked a tuning knob.

In the 2023 Kia Sportage, higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a panoramic, curved 12.3-inch driver information display. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were wired on the top interface, while wireless versions were only available on the base LX trim. Icons on the screen were difficult to distinguish due to similar fonts and colors. Despite this, the Sportage offered wireless charging, rear USB-C charging ports, navigation, Sirius XM Satellite Radio, HD Radio, and a Harman Kardon stereo on higher trims.

The 2022 Lexus NX was equipped with the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), featuring Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System, tested during the review, safely brought the vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. Standard safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Safe Exit Assist, and more. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, semi-autonomous parking assist, and a Vision Package with panoramic view monitoring and front cross-traffic alert.

The 2023 Kia Sportage also offered a robust suite of collision-avoidance and driver assistance systems as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, lane-departure warning, and rear backup sensors. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and safe exit warning. Adaptive cruise control was available starting from the SX trim. SX Prestige and X-Pro Prestige trims included blind-view monitor and Highway driving assist.