2021 Lexus NX Hybrid vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a blend of familiar and distinct styling, characterized by its sharp edges and streamlined profile. Despite its SUV classification, the NX's design leaned more towards a sporty aesthetic, with a scowling front and a bright blue Grecian Water paint that contrasted with its dark wheels and trim. The interior, once considered radical, had become familiar over time, featuring a stepped center console and a lack of traditional luxury wood trim. The F Sport Black Line model added unique elements like an F Sport heated steering wheel and aluminum pedals, but the overall material quality felt more akin to mainstream brands rather than luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a unique appearance while inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models. Its design combined SUV bulk with athletic, car-like elements, featuring quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline. The Sport Prestige model added character with its model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70 embraced an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design that included a rotary gear selector and infotainment controller. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a total of 194 horsepower. It came standard with all-wheel drive, but its performance was more focused on fuel efficiency than excitement. The NX Hybrid accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds, with a top speed of 112 mph. The drivetrain struggled with a heavy right foot, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was clunky. The sport-tuned suspension in the Black Line package improved handling, but the steering remained numb, and the drive modes offered minimal impact on performance.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter turbo-four engine with 300 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 included features like a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty intentions. The Sport+ drive mode sharpened throttle response and held high revs, but the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the ride was firm even in Comfort mode.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid had the least front headroom in its segment, with rear headroom and legroom also ranking low. The front seats offered excellent support, with standard 10-way power adjustment and available heated and ventilated options. The sloping roofline and thick rear pillars compromised rear visibility, but large exterior mirrors helped. Cargo space was limited, with 16.8 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded. A power-folding second row and power liftgate were available but not standard.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 provided mid-pack interior space, with front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design compromised storage space, but Genesis included a covered storage cubby with USB ports. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, featuring an 8-inch display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The lack of a touchscreen and reliance on the awkward Remote Touch Interface touchpad made it difficult to use while driving. Analog controls were provided for most functions, and the graphics felt dated. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added functionality. Higher trims included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 featured a digital-key option, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and cloud-based driver profiles.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were newly standard for 2021, but a 360-degree camera system was missing.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It came standard with safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, and Highway Driving Assist. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The GV70 also had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag.