2022 Lexus NX vs 2022 Ford Bronco

When the redesigned 2022 Lexus NX went on sale in December 2021, it was available in four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. Depending on the model, available trim levels included base, Premium, F Sport, and Luxury, with base prices ranging from $37,950 to $49,000, excluding the $1,075 destination charge. The NX 250 and the turbocharged NX 350 were not electrified, whereas the NX 350h was a hybrid, and the NX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid based on the Toyota RAV4 Prime. The focus was primarily on the turbocharged NX 350 in F Sport and Luxury trim levels.

Design being one of Lexus's four pillars, the NX displayed a distinctive identity with its jutting spindle grille. The styling details, reflecting a simplification and refined attention to detail, were recently bestowed upon the Lexus IS sports sedan. New block lettering spelling out 'Lexus' appeared on the SUV’s tailgate and was expected to proliferate across the entire Lexus lineup.

The 2022 NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. Most NX models came with NuLuxe simulated leather, while the NX Luxury included real leather and open-pore wood trim. A panoramic sunroof was available for the first time on the NX.

Choosing the NX 350 F Sport model imparted a unique character with its mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, 20-inch gloss black wheels, and black mirrors. Inside, sport-bolstered seats and a black headliner defined the sporty nature of the NX. Drivers were greeted by a new F Sport steering wheel and unique instrumentation, which included a G-force meter. Despite its remarkable features, the NX's minimalist interior, clutter-free of buttons and knobs, made it challenging to quickly locate and use some features.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, returning to the market after a wildly successful debut the previous year, came with attractive retro styling, a go-anywhere attitude, and a deep lineup, making it highly sought-after. The Bronco added two new range-topping models: Everglades and Bronco Raptor, and while the Everglades model expanded the Bronco's offerings to seven distinct trims, it was built for swamp trekking and deep water adventures with features like an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires.

Even the base Bronco model exuded off-road capability, and all body styles—whether two-door or four-door—offered a range of choices, including a soft- or hard-top roof and an exciting palette of paint choices. The short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and tall ride height contributed to Bronco's off-road readiness. The modular construction, removable fender flares, full-size spare mounted to the tailgate, and large recovery hooks catered to off-road enthusiasts, providing aesthetic appeal and functional utility.

Inside, the Bronco maintained a utilitarian theme with features like marine-grade vinyl upholstery and drain plugs in the floor, allowing for easy cleanup. Large rubberized toggle switches and buttons controlled the off-road systems, along with the G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Terrain) mode dial for specific terrain types. Despite its rugged appearance, the Bronco was not primitive, featuring advanced technology, digital instrument panels, and large infotainment touchscreens. The Bronco managed to fuse brawn with brains, making it an appealing vehicle across a broad audience.

Electrification played a significant role in the 2022 Lexus NX lineup, with two electrified versions available. The NX 350h offered a combined output of 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in combined driving. The NX 450h+, a 302-hp plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, provided an estimated 36 miles of pure electric range before switching to gas-electric hybrid operation.

Lexus emphasized the 'Lexus Driving Signature' with the NX’s platform featuring a lower center of gravity, reduced curb weight, and dynamic tuning honed at a technical center in Shimoyama, Japan. The NX 350 F Sport, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, was smooth, responsive, and athletic on Arizona roads. An eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters powered all four wheels, with AWD being standard.

Both the NX 250 (203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque) and NX 350 came with Normal, Sport, and Eco driving modes, while the NX 350 F Sport added Sport S, Sport+, and Custom modes, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers. The F Sport felt taut and lean, while the NX 350 Luxury offered a softer driving experience. Lexus’s claim of 6.6 seconds to 60 mph for the NX 350 seemed credible based on observed performance figures.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque as its base engine, with an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine generating 330 horsepower and a whopping 415 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine option offered a seven-speed manual transmission, featuring a unique crawl gear for low-speed climbing, while the V6 came with a mandatory 10-speed automatic transmission.

All Broncos included four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. Testing the Everglades model on Michigan’s upper peninsula showed that the Bronco effortlessly managed deep-rutted muddy trails, water crossings, and steep rock climbs. On pavement, the Bronco impressed with its controlled steering and smoother ride quality compared to other off-road vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler.

Despite some wind noise on highways, the Bronco's lack of tire howl and its serene ride quality on paved roads added to its overall appeal as a well-balanced performer.

Lexus claimed the 2022 NX offered more interior room for people and cargo. However, the new dashboard design created a more intimate feeling from the driver’s seat. Comfort was paramount, especially with features like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim's bolstered seats, padded driver’s door panel, and side of the center console improved driving ergonomics.

Rear-seat passengers had roomy accommodations, complete with rear air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and USB charging ports. Practical storage was ample in both rows, and the NX’s panoramic glass sunroof extended over the back seat.

According to Lexus, the new NX had a 14% increase in cargo space behind the back seat, totaling 22.7 cubic feet. When more space was needed, folding the back seats created 46.9 cubic feet of volume.

The Bronco's boxy, iconic design provided an abundance of interior space. Headroom was generous, and legroom along with lateral space allowed passengers to stretch out comfortably. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required squeezing between the door frame and front seat.

Cargo capacity varied depending on body style and roof types. The two-door hard-top model could accommodate up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The hard-top four-door model had a capacity of 35.6 cubic feet behind and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. Soft-top models slightly increased these figures. Despite its impressive cargo space, the Bronco's rear seats didn’t fold flat, complicating the loading of larger objects.

Utility was enhanced with clever storage solutions and accessories like a large armrest bin, netted door pockets, rubberized phone trays, and optional accessory rails atop the dash. The Bronco's fender flares were removable in seconds without tools, and stowable doors fit in the cargo area. External hard mounting points atop the windshield and cleats above the headlights allowed for versatile utility, complementing the rugged design.

Advanced Technology being a key pillar for Lexus, the redesigned 2022 NX included the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, a notable leap forward. Large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, music streaming, and cloud-based features catered to the digital natives Lexus aimed to attract. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and the removal of the previously criticized Remote Touch Interface greatly improved user experience.

Standard technology included a 9.8-inch touchscreen, with a 14-inch upgrade option. Both versions featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, readiness for five connected service subscription plans, over-the-air (OTA) updates, and a 10-speaker sound system (17-speaker Mark Levinson optional). The new interface allowed for a personal profile setup, which could transfer settings to other models, and a digital key feature.

Voice and Intelligent Assistant systems responded well, with cloud-based navigation and music streaming, adding to the comfort and convenience. However, the large touchscreen was prone to fingerprints and reflections, and lacked the option for multiple data panels, such as simultaneous navigation map and radio display.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, meanwhile, utilized technology to enhance its off-road capabilities without sidelining driver engagement. The G.O.A.T. modes offered varying terrain settings for novice and seasoned off-roaders. The forward-looking trail camera, which displayed tire travel lines, addressed visibility issues due to the Bronco's tall ride height and upright grille. Trail Turn Assist, which individually braked an inside wheel, allowed for sharper turns in tight spaces.

The Bronco benefited from the Sync 4 infotainment system known for its quick responses and sharp graphics, with helpful off-road apps, and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Available wireless charging added to convenience, making the Bronco tech-savvy while retaining its rugged essence.

The 2022 Lexus NX, part of its Advanced Technology brand pillar, included a comprehensive suite of driver assistance and collision avoidance systems in the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0). Key features included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, Oncoming Pedestrian Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System proved effective in real-world tests, demonstrating its potential to handle scenarios involving unresponsive drivers.

Beyond these features, the NX offered standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim included rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing wipers, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. Available Vision Package added a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.

The 2022 Ford Bronco’s standard safety features included hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Available packages added frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, front parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist were available in the Luxe package.

While the Bronco hadn’t been fully evaluated by NHTSA, the four-door model received four-out-of-five stars for frontal crash protection. Both body styles had three-out-of-five stars for rollover protection. IIHS rated the Bronco “Good” in most tests but “Acceptable” for head restraints and seats, marking it a dependable choice for safety.