2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, with no major exterior changes, maintaining its distinctive boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood reminiscent of the original version. The option for a white contrasting roof and steel wheels added a retro touch. Despite these nostalgic elements, the Defender's design was modern, featuring rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave it a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender compared to its predecessor resulted in more interior space and better ergonomics, offering generous headroom and legroom, and a comfortable driving position with good visibility. The interior design emphasized the Defender’s rugged character, with a mix of leather and suede upholstery, bare metal, and exposed screws, making it practical for off-road adventures without the worry of ruining the interior.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned for the year, came in four model series: 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 new block lettering on the tailgate. The model was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior was minimalist, with a decluttered dashboard and a focus on comfort, especially in models with heated and ventilated front seats. The NX 350 F Sport stood out with sport-bolstered seats and unique interior trim. However, the integration of many functions into the 14-inch touchscreen made it challenging to quickly locate and use some features, though physical controls for frequently used functions remained.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrains, including a new V8 engine. The base model featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 29 centimetres of ground clearance. It also offered a 3,500-kilogram towing capacity.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 hp and an estimated 61 kilometres of electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The NX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with observed fuel consumption of 10.6 L/100 km for the F Sport and 9.2 L/100 km for the non-F Sport. The NX's handling was improved over the previous model, though it had more road and wind noise than expected.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatile seating and cargo options. The two-door Defender 90 had 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were comfortable but challenging to access, with limited cargo space. The four-door Defender 110 was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. The three-row model offered 160 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, 743 litres with the third row folded, and 1,826 litres with the second row folded. Two-row versions provided 786 litres with the rear seats up and 1,875 litres with the seats folded. The interior design emphasized functionality, with a large caged storage space and a centre-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration.

The 2022 Lexus NX claimed more interior room, though it felt cozy from the driver’s seat. The NX was comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim offered better bolstering for the front seats. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The NX’s panoramic glass sunroof extended over the back seat. The cargo space increased by 14%, offering 643 litres behind the back seat and 1,328 litres with the seats folded.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model. An 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available. The interface was user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 9.8-inch touchscreen standard and a 14-inch screen optional. 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 system available. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands. The NX offered a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect, with cloud-based navigation and Intelligent Assistant technology. Additional features included a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and User Profiles for storing preferences.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist technologies, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.

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, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had an Emergency Driving Stop System, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. Additional safety features were available in packages, including rear pedestrian detection and a panoramic view monitoring system.