2022 Kia Sportage vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured Kia's tiger-nose grille styling, which worked well on other models but seemed out of place on the Sportage. The grille, positioned under oversized headlights and above a chrome trim, resembled a fake mustache plastered on the SUV's front end. Despite this, Kia nailed other design details, such as the four-dot running light signature reminiscent of the Porsche Macan and the Volkswagen-style symmetry of the back door shut line and rear fascia seam. The SX Turbo's 19-inch wheels added to its stylish and planted stance.

Inside, the Sportage adopted Germanic design cues with a black dashboard featuring polished metallic accents and plain white markings on a black background. The SX Turbo included metal pedal covers, and the interior came in black, gray, and beige, offering a high-contrast look. Buttons and knobs made it easy to adjust the stereo, cabin temperature, and infotainment system. The upscale feel was enhanced by the solid and fluid operation of the transmission shifter.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, showcased Lexus's design pillar with its unmistakable spindle grille and refined styling details. The new block lettering on the tailgate and the longer, wider, and taller dimensions provided more passenger and cargo space. Most NX models featured NuLuxe simulated leather, while the NX Luxury included real leather and open-pore wood trim. A panoramic sunroof was available for the first time.

The NX 350 F Sport stood out with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, sport-bolstered seats, a black headliner, and a new F Sport steering wheel with unique instrumentation defined the sporty version. The minimalist interior design, a departure from the previous model, integrated many functions into the available 14-inch touchscreen, which could be challenging to use quickly. However, physical controls for frequently used functions remained, and the electronic shifter was easy to acclimate to.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models had a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, forming a competitive but unremarkable powertrain. The Sportage SX Turbo, however, featured a robust 240 hp (237 hp with AWD) and 260 lb-ft of torque, making it ideal for those living at higher elevations. Both engines used a six-speed automatic transmission, with Kia's Dynamax all-wheel-drive system available as an option.

The SX Turbo's acceleration was quick, with maximum torque arriving at a low 1,450 rpm and remaining available until 3,500 rpm. The sudden surge of torque could surprise drivers, and switching to Sport mode made the SUV eager to accelerate. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth and compliant ride, with a hint of body roll and lateral rocking over uneven pavement. The SX Turbo's upgraded brakes and exclusive 19-inch wheels contributed to its athletic and sporty feel, though it wasn't as refined as competitors like the Mazda CX-5 Turbo.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

The NX 350's turbocharged powertrain was more rewarding than the base NX 250's 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Both models offered Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes, with the NX 350 F Sport adding 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 NX 350 Luxury offered a softer driving character. Lexus estimated 25 mpg in combined driving for the NX 350, with observed fuel economy numbers of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury.

Overall, the new NX was a dynamic improvement over the previous model, though the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine didn't sound as smooth as German rivals. Handling impressed in both versions, with the F Sport better isolating impacts from sharp bumps. However, road and wind noise were more noticeable than expected.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover SUV scale, offered a remarkably roomy passenger compartment. The SX Turbo trim provided perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, ten-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, and eight-way power adjustment for the front passenger seat. Heated and ventilated front seats and a heated flat-bottom steering wheel were standard.

Rear-seat passengers enjoyed generous legroom, comfortable seating, air conditioning vents, and a USB charging port. However, the maximum cargo volume was limited, with 60.1 cubic feet available when the second-row seats were folded down and 30.7 cubic feet behind the back seat. The Sportage's smart liftgate technology allowed hands-free access, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room for people and cargo, though it didn't necessarily feel that way from the driver's seat. The new dashboard design created a more intimate and cozy feeling. The NX was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim provided better bolstering for the front seats, and Lexus thoughtfully padded the driver's door panel and center console for added comfort.

Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB charging ports. The panoramic glass sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space. The NX Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes, though it wasn't tested during the evaluation. Lexus claimed a 14% increase in cargo space, with 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Most trim levels included UVO Link connected services and satellite radio, while the SX Turbo added wireless smartphone charging and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for stereo volume and radio tuning, and logical onscreen menus.

However, the UVO Link system lagged in technological sophistication, with an 8-inch screen, no WiFi hotspot, hit-and-miss voice-recognition technology, and wired smartphone mirroring. Despite these limitations, the system was simple and easy to use.

The 2022 Lexus NX took a significant leap forward with its new Lexus Interface infotainment system. Standard features included a 9.8-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and readiness for five connected service subscription plans. A 14-inch touchscreen was available as an upgrade, along with a 10-speaker sound system or a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system.

The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural voice commands, and Lexus included a complimentary three-year trial subscription to its Drive Connect service. Additional connected services included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Service Connect. User Profiles allowed drivers to store preferences and settings, and a digital key transformed the user's smartphone into a key.

The NX also offered a digital mirror, a 10-inch head-up display, and a panoramic view monitoring system. However, the 14-inch touchscreen rapidly collected fingerprints and dust, and there was no way to show multiple data panels simultaneously. Additionally, the lack of a tuning knob was a notable omission.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver monitoring system. Higher trims included a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The SX Turbo added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Sportage earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the SX Turbo achieving an Acceptable headlight rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick laurel.

The 2022 Lexus NX featured the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems such as 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 safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. The NX also had blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Safe Exit Assist, and rear pedestrian detection.

Premium trim added an adaptive front lighting system, rain-sensing wipers, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. The Vision Package included a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.