2022 Lexus NX vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in North America with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front showcased Hyundai's new vehicle face, featuring a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The headlights and daytime running lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. At the rear, LED-illuminated toothy taillights added a unique touch, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odour-resistant cloth seats, sport combination seats in the N-Line, and leather-trimmed seats available from the Preferred Trend trim. The dashboard's horizontal lines and uncluttered aesthetic contributed to a sense of spaciousness.

The redesigned 2022 Lexus NX came in four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. It featured a distinctive spindle grille and block lettering on the tailgate, reflecting Lexus's design philosophy. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. Most models had NuLuxe simulated leather upholstery, with real leather and open-pore wood trim available in the NX Executive Package. The NX 350 F Sport stood out with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-colour fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, and unique instrumentation defined the F Sport trim. The interior adopted a minimalist approach, with many functions integrated into the available 14-inch touchscreen. While this decluttering was necessary, it sometimes made it challenging to locate and use features quickly. Physical controls for frequently used functions remained, and the electronic shifter was easy to acclimate to. Overall, the NX's quality levels were high, though some elements, like the turn signal, felt less refined.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain provided 226 combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, making it more powerful and enjoyable to drive. The Tucson Hybrid was more fuel-efficient, with a combined consumption of 6.4 L/100 km, compared to the ICE model's 8.2 L/100 km. The Tucson PHEV, with a 13.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, offered an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful in the lineup. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road testing, similar to Subaru's reactive AWD system.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and a combined consumption of 6.0 L/100 km, and the NX 450h+ PHEV with 302 horsepower and an estimated 61 kilometres of pure electric range. The NX 350 had a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. AWD was standard on all powertrains in Canada. The NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The F Sport felt taut and lean on winding roads, while the regular NX 350 offered a softer driving character. The NX 350's fuel consumption was estimated at 9.5 L/100 km combined. Overall, the NX was a dynamic improvement over its predecessor, though the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of German rivals.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior. It offered a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and memory for the driver's seat available. The Tucson's new platform provided more space for passengers and cargo, with rear seats offering 90 millimetres more legroom than the RAV4. The cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The Tucson's cargo space was comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V, with a dual-level cargo floor and a 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room for people and cargo, though it felt more intimate from the driver's seat. The NX was comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. The F Sport trim provided better bolstering for the front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB ports. The NX's panoramic glass sunroof extended over the back seat. Thematic Ambient Illumination with 14 themes was available on several trims. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 643 litres behind the back seat and 1,328 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. A 4.2-inch multi-information display was standard. The Preferred trim added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, additional USB outlets, rear air conditioning vents, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Higher trims offered a fully digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation. The touchscreen was embedded within a larger head unit, making it challenging to find the right button while driving. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were more heavily relied upon.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 9.8-inch touchscreen display standard and a 14-inch screen optional. Both versions included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for four connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available. The navigation system included an off-line mode for remote areas. The Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural commands, with a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect. Additional technologies included a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a digital key capability.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, and rear occupant alert. Additional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai offered a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with features like lane keep assist, 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 Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The NX also had a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, Safe Exit Assist, and pedestrian detection. Additional packages offered rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, semi-autonomous parking assist, and a panoramic view monitoring system.