2021 Lexus NX Hybrid vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a blend of sharp edges and a streamlined profile, maintaining a familiar yet distinct look within the Lexus family. Despite its sporty F Sport Black Line enhancements, including a larger mesh grille and dark-finish wheels, the NX's design felt both dated and familiar. The interior, with its radical design at debut, had become commonplace, featuring a stepped center console and a lack of traditional luxury materials. The use of plastic switchgear and trim detracted from the luxury feel, although elements like the analog dashboard clock added a touch of class.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Kona underwent a significant makeover, extending its length and refining its front and rear fascias. The new character lines and alloy wheel designs gave it a sophisticated appearance. Inside, the Kona's redesigned instrument panel and center console created a spacious feel, enhanced by ambient lighting. The introduction of sporty N Line and Kona N trims added unique styling elements, making the Kona look more athletic. The interior of the N Line featured exclusive black seats with red stitching and alloy sport pedals, contributing to its sporty vibe.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a total of 194 horsepower. Despite its sporty appearance, the NX Hybrid was not a performance vehicle, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph. The hybrid system prioritized fuel efficiency over excitement, with a clunky transition between electric and gasoline power. The sport-tuned suspension improved handling, but the steering felt numb, and drive modes offered minimal impact on performance.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of powertrains, including a base 2.0-liter engine with 147 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 horsepower for the N Line and Limited trims. The new Kona N featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed DCT. The Kona N included performance features like launch control and an electronic limited-slip differential. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line, delivered adequate power and agile handling, with minor turbo lag and clunkiness in lower gears. The Kona's low center of gravity contributed to its composed handling.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid offered limited interior space, with the least front headroom in its segment and cramped rear seats. Front seats provided excellent support, and features like power adjustment and heated/ventilated options were available. However, rear visibility was compromised by the sloping roofline and thick pillars. Cargo space was limited, with 16.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, while compact, provided ample front-seat comfort and headroom. Rear-seat space was limited, with small door openings and compromised legroom. Cargo space improved slightly for 2022, offering 19.2 cubic feet with seats up and 45.8 cubic feet with them down. However, the Kona's compact dimensions meant rear-seat and cargo space were still tight.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, featuring an 8-inch display with a difficult-to-use Remote Touch Interface touchpad. While it included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, the system felt dated, with text-heavy menus and poor graphics. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona improved its tech offerings with an 8-inch display on base trims and a 10.25-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The Kona included features like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a digital key, and Hyundai Blue Link services. The infotainment system was intuitive, with easy smartphone connectivity. Higher trims offered a premium audio system and additional USB ports.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid received a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received five stars from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona's child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing it from achieving Top Safety Pick status.