2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a sleek and sporty appearance without resorting to excessive blacked-out trim or aggressive performance cues. Its design changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided giving the RDX an off-road look, focusing instead on its role as a daily driver and road-trip companion. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a starting price of $50,305, and offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned for the model year, came in four model series, including the NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. The NX 350, with its turbocharged engine, was the focus of this review. The NX's design was unmistakably Lexus, featuring a prominent spindle grille and refined styling details. The new model was longer, wider, and taller, offering more passenger and cargo space. The NX 350 F Sport stood out with unique exterior and interior features, including a mesh-pattern grille, sport-bolstered seats, and a new F Sport steering wheel. The interior design took a minimalist approach, with a focus on simplicity and functionality.

The 2021 Acura RDX was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered driving modes like Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, enhancing its handling and driving experience. A-Spec models had exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, contributing to its sporty feel. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport modes were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2022 Lexus NX 350, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 350 F Sport offered additional driving modes, including Sport S, Sport+, and Custom, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The F Sport felt taut and responsive on winding roads, while the regular NX 350 provided a more relaxed driving experience. The NX 350's acceleration to 60 mph was estimated at 6.6 seconds, and its fuel consumption was observed at 10.6 L/100 km for the F Sport and 9.2 L/100 km for the non-F Sport.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. Its front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. The RDX's cargo space measured 835 litres behind the rear seat and 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, though this figure was based on an unconventional loading method.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided more interior room for passengers and cargo, though it felt more intimate from the driver's seat. The NX's front seats were comfortable, with heating and ventilation features standard in Canada. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased by 14% to 643 litres behind the back seat, expanding to 1,328 litres with the rear seats folded. The NX also featured a panoramic glass sunroof and a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with various themes.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While it improved upon Lexus's previous touchpad approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tethering, and an available navigation system. The A-Spec trim came with a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, featuring large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, and cloud-based features. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen available as an upgrade. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Voice Assistant technology. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system as an option. The NX also offered a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and various connected services, though the lack of a tuning knob was noted as a drawback.

The 2021 Acura RDX came equipped with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included lane keep assist, lane departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. New features included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had a standard blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Additional safety features were available in packages, such as rear pedestrian detection and a panoramic view monitoring system.