2021 Toyota Venza vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2021 Toyota Venza presented a sophisticated image, being five to six inches shorter than the Toyota RAV4 and sitting about an inch closer to the ground. Despite these variations, both models shared the same wheelbase. Critics and onlookers often remarked that the Venza bore a striking resemblance to a Lexus, particularly in its front grille and sleek, elongated profile. The styling cues seemed to draw inspiration from the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept from the 2018 North American International Auto Show more than from Toyota’s own SUV lineup.

Toyota offered the Venza in three trim levels: LE, XLE, and Limited, with a choice of seven paint colors depending on the trim. The base model came well-equipped with features like dual chrome-tipped exhausts, LED headlights and taillights, automatic high beams, puddle lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it included amenities such as a 4.2-inch driver’s information display, leather-trimmed steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a wireless charging pad. The Limited model further enhanced the Venza’s luxury by adding elements like a digital rearview mirror with Homelink, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a backup camera washer, and the option for a Star Gaze panoramic roof.

In terms of design, the 2022 Lexus NX stood out with its prominent spindle grille – a Lexus signature – and new block lettering across the tailgate. Comparatively, it had a more minimalist interior design than its predecessor, shedding numerous buttons for a cleaner look. The NX came in four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+, each with various trims including base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury, priced between $37,950 and $49,000 before the destination charge.

The interior of the NX sported materials ranging from NuLuxe simulated leather to real leather with open-pore wood trim in Luxury versions. Sporty versions like the F Sport trim featured robust sport-bolstered seats, a unique mesh-pattern grille, and 20-inch gloss black wheels. Despite its modernization, some aspects, such as climate controls integrated into the 14-inch touchscreen, proved less user-friendly than traditional setups.

The Toyota Venza came equipped with a hybrid powertrain, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors, all functioning through an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT). This combination produced a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. While this might not be overly powerful, it was deemed sufficient for typical driving needs. It featured an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 40 mpg on the highway, 37 mpg in the city, and 39 mpg combined – setting it leagues ahead of competitors like the Murano, Passport, and Blazer.

The Venza's ride, though somewhat noisy during acceleration, settled down at cruising speeds. Handling was described as confident and typical of a Toyota vehicle, maintaining composure without any unusual traits.

The Lexus NX 2022 offered varied powertrain options including non-electrified (NX 250 and NX 350), hybrid (NX 350h), and plug-in hybrid (NX 450h+). The NX 350, showcased here, featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. This powertrain proved more engaging than that of the base NX 250, which had a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine with 203 horsepower.

The NX 350 also included driving modes such as Normal, Sport, Sport S, Sport+, Eco, and Custom, adapting to various driving preferences. Its adaptive variable sports suspension ensured enhanced handling on winding roads, with the F Sport trim showcasing an agile and responsive character.

Fuel economy estimates for the NX 350 stood at a combined 25 mpg, while the hybrid NX 350h achieved 39 mpg combined. Despite its decent fuel performance and agile handling, the turbocharged engine of the NX was criticized for not matching the smoothness of German competitors’ turbo fours.

Inside the Toyota Venza, the design broke from typical Toyota and Lexus aesthetics, offering a unique touch with silver-accented vertical elements, capacitive buttons, and a piano-black center console. The interior space was comfortable, accommodating up to five passengers with sufficient legroom and headroom. The cargo space was where the Venza slightly faltered, offering a maximum of 55.1 cubic feet, which was less than the Murano, Passport, and Blazer but adequate for daily driving needs.

The Lexus NX, while being longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, felt more intimate from the driver’s seat due to its dash design. Comfort was paramount, particularly with heated and ventilated front seats and padded panels for added comfort. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space and rear air conditioning vents, along with optional heated rear seats.

Cargo capacity for the NX saw a 14% increase, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet when folded. This was slightly less compared to the Venza’s allocated space but still provided practical storage for most needs.

The Toyota Venza’s infotainment varied by trim. The LE and XLE hosted an 8-inch screen, whereas the Limited featured a 12.3-inch display. The Entune system, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, was part of the offering, despite not being the most user-friendly interface in the market. Additional connected services included a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a suite of Toyota connected services like Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect with a 10-year trial.

For the Lexus NX, the new Lexus Interface stole the show with its 9.8-inch standard or optional 14-inch touchscreen. This system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, cloud-based features, and five connected service plans supporting WiFi, streaming services, and OTA updates. The interface dramatically improved upon the previous model’s usability by discarding the unpopular touchpad. A 10-speaker sound system came standard, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson system providing high-quality audio.

Technological highlights also included User Profiles for personalized settings, digital key capability, and additional features like a digital mirror and a 10-inch head-up display, although some interface designs collected fingerprints and reflected sunlight, making visibility problematic.

Safety was a strong point for both vehicles. The Toyota Venza included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which offered pre-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist. Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert further enhanced safety, with options to upgrade to systems with automatic braking.

The Lexus NX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced technologies such as Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. Emergency Driving Stop System proved invaluable in maintaining control during medical emergencies. Additional standard features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology.

Premium trims added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing wipers, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking, rounding out an extensive suite of safety technology.