2022 Lexus NX vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, offered a range of trim levels from base to Luxury, with prices starting at $37,950. The NX 350, particularly in F Sport and Luxury trims, stood out with its distinctive Lexus design, featuring a prominent spindle grille and refined styling details. The SUV was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior boasted a minimalist design, with most functions integrated into a large touchscreen, although some users found it challenging to navigate. The NX 350 F Sport distinguished itself with sporty features like a unique grille, 20-inch wheels, and sport-bolstered seats, while the Luxury trim offered real leather and open-pore wood trim.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design. It featured a new, more aggressive front styling, available across its three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and Elite. The TrailSport trim, new for 2022, aimed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts with its rugged looks and standard all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $37,870 to $45,430, with the TrailSport model offering unique 18-inch wheels and a purposeful roof rack. Inside, the Passport provided one of the largest interiors in its class, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and rubber floor mats in the TrailSport trim.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions, with the NX 350h delivering 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ providing 302 horsepower with a 36-mile electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350 F Sport added driving modes and an adaptive suspension, enhancing its sporty character. The SUV accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with observed fuel economy varying between 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury trim. Despite its dynamic improvements, the NX's turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of its German rivals, and its off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the EX-L, while the TrailSport and Elite trims featured Honda's i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive system. The Passport's V6 engine was smooth and responsive, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg for FWD and 21 mpg for AWD. The TrailSport model averaged 21.3 mpg during testing. The Passport excelled on paved roads, offering a firm ride and athletic handling, but its brakes showed signs of vibration on mountain descents. While capable off-road, the Passport was not designed to compete with more rugged SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a cozy and comfortable interior, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel available. The F Sport trim offered better seat bolstering, while rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased to 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Luxury trim featured ambient lighting with 14 themes, enhancing the interior's ambiance.

The 2022 Honda Passport offered easy access with large doors and a low step-in height. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated seats standard. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and a slightly elevated seating position, with large windows providing an open feel. The Passport excelled in storage, with a massive center console and ample cargo space measuring 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant strides in technology with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, featuring large touchscreen displays, voice recognition, and cloud-based services. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen available. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker sound system, and optional Mark Levinson audio. The NX also offered a digital mirror, head-up display, and various connected services, although the touchscreen's reflective surface and lack of a tuning knob were noted drawbacks.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system met basic standards with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added navigation, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker sound system and HondaLink services. The system included shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. Apple CarPlay was preferred for navigation due to the Passport's clunky system, and wireless smartphone charging was standard.

The 2022 Lexus NX came equipped with the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driver assistance systems like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection and adaptive front lighting, while a Vision Package offered additional safety features.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat reminder. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist were less refined, and the adaptive cruise control could be abrupt. The Passport received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, though it fell short in some areas.