2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often seen as a vehicle that blended into the crowd of compact crossovers. Its design was similar to many of its competitors, with few distinguishing features. The grille and some chromed plastic elements provided minor differentiation, but overall, the CR-V was not a vehicle chosen for its exterior aesthetics. Colour options were limited, with a predominance of neutral tones, making it challenging to find more vibrant hues like Radiant Red. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials that improved with higher trims. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX presented a more aggressive and modern design, especially after its 2020 facelift. The RX stood out in the midsize luxury crossover segment with sharp character lines and angular features, creating a sporty yet restrained appearance. The F Sport models added athletic elements like 20-inch wheels and unique front fascia, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the RX maintained a luxurious feel, with F Sport models adding sporty touches like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its dated centre stack, the RX offered a high-quality interior with soft-touch surfaces and a serene cabin environment.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower. It provided smooth and steady acceleration, taking about 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h. While not the fastest in its class, it was competitive with other crossovers. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which maintained constant engine revs as speed increased. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The CR-V's suspension setup offered decent handling and ride quality, typical of its class.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower, while the hybrid RX 450h combined a V6 with electric motors for 308 horsepower. All RX models featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lack of sporty driving dynamics. The F Sport models included adaptive variable suspension and additional drive modes, but changes in driving manner were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency varied, with the hybrid offering better consumption figures than the gas-only models.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space with over 100 litres more volume than the Toyota RAV4. It provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded, accommodating various loads. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free tailgate options. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional gear.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 2,826 litres of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models had limited space for passengers and cargo, with only 210 litres available behind the third row. Cargo capacity increased to 1,657 litres with both back rows down, though the seats did not fold flat. The RX included thoughtful interior features like a smartphone slot and adjustable-height cup holder, but the high load-in height could be inconvenient for loading cargo.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Audio systems varied by trim, with the Touring offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available on higher trims. The infotainment system's positioning was ergonomically challenging, and the touchpad was frustrating to use. Despite these issues, the RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, offering advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking as standard across all trims. The only exception was blind spot monitoring, available from the Sport trim upwards.

The 2022 Lexus RX included the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ as standard, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system. It was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The RX received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with strong side crash test results but lower scores in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.