Lexus NX vs Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned with a focus on design, offered a range of models including the NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. The NX 350, with its turbocharged engine, stood out with its distinctive Lexus spindle grille and refined styling reminiscent of the Lexus IS sports sedan. The SUV was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior featured a minimalist design with a large touchscreen that integrated many functions, though some users found it challenging to navigate quickly. The NX 350 F Sport variant added sporty elements like a unique grille, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and sport-bolstered seats, enhancing its athletic appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid, while practical and offering great value, appeared outdated compared to newer crossovers. Its design, reminiscent of "dad jeans," was functional but lacked modern flair. The Santa Fe Hybrid featured a handsome grille and a tall silhouette, but its proportions seemed off for a midsize SUV. Inside, the Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized practicality with a massive centre console filled with physical controls, making it easy to use but not stylish. The rear offered ample legroom and a panoramic sunroof, while the cargo space was generous, accommodating up to 2,041 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Lexus NX showcased its commitment to electrification with the NX 350h and NX 450h+ models. The NX 350h delivered 239 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, while the NX 450h+ offered 302 horsepower and a 61-kilometre electric range. The NX 350, with its turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, produced 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, providing a dynamic driving experience. The F Sport variant added adaptive suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its sporty character. Despite its performance, the NX was not suited for off-road adventures due to limited ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with a 44.2-kW electric motor, producing 226 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It offered impressive fuel economy, with estimates of 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres combined. The Santa Fe Hybrid's power was managed by a six-speed automatic transmission and an AWD system capable of distributing power between the front and rear wheels. While not quick, the Santa Fe Hybrid excelled in noise insulation and ride comfort, handling rough roads with ease. Its focus was on comfort and practicality rather than speed or agility.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a comfortable interior with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The F Sport trim offered better bolstering for the front seats, while rear passengers enjoyed ample space and amenities like rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with them folded. The panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seats, enhancing the sense of space.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid featured a shift-by-wire transmission, freeing up space below the centre stack. The centre stack itself was filled with well-labeled physical controls, making it user-friendly. Rear passengers benefited from a panoramic sunroof, manual sunshades, and 1,035 millimetres of legroom. The Santa Fe Hybrid offered 1,032 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 2,041 litres with the seats folded. Heated and ventilated front seats with leatherette upholstery were standard, ensuring comfort for all occupants.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant strides in technology with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. It featured large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, and cloud-based features. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen available as an upgrade. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with various connected services. The Mark Levinson premium sound system was an option, providing excellent audio quality. However, the touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob, which some users found inconvenient.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen and onboard navigation as standard in Canada. The system supported Bluetooth, OTA map updates, and dynamic voice recognition. While Android Auto and Apple CarPlay required a wired connection, the infotainment system was user-friendly. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provided essential driving information. However, the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system available in the U.S. was not offered in Canada.

The 2022 Lexus NX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced safety features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System ensured safety in case of driver unresponsiveness. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. The NX also offered optional technologies like a panoramic view monitor and semi-autonomous parking assist.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid prioritized safety with features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision avoidance, and lane keep assist. While the surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor were not available in Canada, the Santa Fe Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. These accolades highlighted its commitment to passenger safety and crashworthiness.