Lexus NX vs Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Lexus NX maintained a fresh appearance despite being a few years into its second generation. Its design elements, such as the chunky fenders, integrated LED daytime running lights, and the distinctive spindle grille, were well-integrated, offering a balanced look that was neither too conservative nor awkward. The design team at Lexus refined the existing design, ensuring that elements like the large grille and LED DRLs appeared intentional rather than added as an afterthought. The NX was available in various trims, including the non-hybrid NX 350, hybrid NX 350h, and plug-in hybrid NX 450h+, with the F Sport Handling grade adding sporty features like adaptive dampers and black 20-inch wheels. While the NX's styling was bold, it didn't deter sales, although the base NX 350's interior didn't quite meet luxury expectations, feeling similar to high-end Toyota RAV4 models.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue, classified as a crossover SUV, resembled a tall hatchback more than a traditional SUV. Its design was compact and narrow, with a European flair, featuring an upright windshield and SUV-like cues such as a bluff nose and roof rails. The Venue's high nose was complemented by lower headlights and high-set daytime running lights, while black wheel flares and a two-tone roof added to its SUV aesthetic. Inside, the Venue offered a simple and functional design, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that felt like an afterthought. The interior was practical, with body-color trim adding a touch of style, but overall, it was more utilitarian than luxurious.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrain options, but the standard setup in the NX 350 F Sport test car was underwhelming. It featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Despite a respectable 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds, the engine felt more suited to a pickup truck, and the transmission's sluggishness made achieving that time challenging. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models offered more compelling options, with the latter delivering 304 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. However, the NX's chassis tuning left much to be desired, with firm dampers and lifeless steering detracting from the driving experience. The NX struggled to deliver the quiet, comfortable ride expected from a luxury SUV, with wind noise further diminishing cabin serenity.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue's performance was modest, powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. The power was delivered to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with no all-wheel drive option. The Venue's 0-60 mph time ranged from 8.5 to 8.8 seconds, aided by its lightweight 2,738-pound frame. While peppy in city traffic, the Venue struggled at highway speeds, with the CVT slow to respond and the engine droning under heavy throttle. Handling was a bright spot, with the Venue's small size and low weight making it agile in traffic and easy to park. However, the ride was jiggly on rough pavement due to the solid rear axle.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered competitive passenger space for a compact luxury SUV but had some compromises. Rear-seat headroom was comparable to rivals like the Acura RDX and Audi Q5, but legroom was slightly less generous. Front-seat legroom was on par with the Audi and Mercedes, though the Acura offered more. The front seats felt constrained, with limited headroom and hindered visibility due to the deep dashboard and large mirrors. Cargo space measured 22.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, trailing competitors. The NX's towing capacity was also limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue's interior featured cloth and synthetic leather seats with manual adjustments, offering decent comfort and a natural driving position. Headroom was ample, but legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat accommodated average-sized adults, but taller passengers would struggle for legroom. Cargo space was modest, with 31.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded and 18.7 cubic feet with them up. The Venue's interior materials reflected cost-cutting, with hard black plastic dominating the cabin and minimal sound deadening.

The 2026 Lexus NX came equipped with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen on base and Premium trims, with a 14-inch display available on higher trims. Standard features included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and six USB ports. Additional tech features required data connectivity packages, offering cloud-based navigation, digital key functionality, and emergency assistance. The 14-inch touchscreen was well-placed but had room for improvement, with awkward touch sliders for fan speed adjustment. The voice recognition system was helpful but had limitations, such as not being able to switch SiriusXM stations.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue featured a simple 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment functions, including phone, radio, media, and phone-projection connections. While lacking features like navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot, it offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument cluster displayed limited information and was not programmable. The audio system was a basic six-speaker unit, with no premium option available.

The 2026 Lexus NX was well-equipped with driver-assist features, including the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, which offered forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional features like park assist and a 360-degree camera system were available. The NX received a 2025 Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, missing the highest award due to an "Acceptable" score in one crash test. NHTSA ratings were not available.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered a good set of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Venue received a four-star safety rating from NHTSA, with some IIHS ratings pending. Its headlights received mixed ratings depending on the trim level.