2023 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Lexus NX

The 2022 Lexus NX stood out with a distinct design that incorporated the automaker’s iconic spindle grille, giving it an unmistakable Lexus presence. The redesigned model, which came in four series—NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+—boasted refined styling features reminiscent of the Lexus IS sports sedan. New block lettering on the tailgate was introduced and was expected to spread across the Lexus lineup. The NX became longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, thus offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior featured NuLuxe simulated leather in most models, with the Luxury trim including real leather and open-pore wood trim. The NX 350 F Sport trim added sporty aesthetics with sport-bolstered seats, dark interior trim, and alloy pedals. However, the minimalistic interior risked feeling overly simplistic due to the integration of many functions into a 14-inch touchscreen, which challenged quick and easy operation.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Honda CR-V adopted a cleaner, subtly aggressive design with a blunt nose and long hood, ensuring its conservative styling would age gracefully. Both the CR-V EX and EX-L trims sported 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass. The EX-L variant offered leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob as upgrades over the base EX’s cloth upholstery. The interior was designed with quality and simplicity in mind, featuring a dashboard modeled after the Civic with metal mesh trim. The EX-L also included a larger touchscreen infotainment system, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and front and rear parking sensors. The starting price for the CR-V began at $31,110 for the EX FWD and went up to $35,260 for the EX-L AWD, with an additional $1,245 destination charge.

The 2022 Lexus NX emphasized electrification, offering the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and 39 mpg combined, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivering 302 horsepower and 36 miles of pure electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, unleashing power to all four wheels. The NX 350 F Sport trim introduced driving modes like Sport S, Sport+, and Custom, along with a sport-tuned suspension for enhanced performance on winding roads. Lexus claimed a 6.6-second acceleration to 60 mph, supported by observed fuel economy figures of 22.2 mpg in the F Sport and 25.5 mpg in the Luxury trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V continued with the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the prior model, offering 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to a CVT, which, while efficient, detracted from the driving joy with its droning sound during hard acceleration. The CR-V excelled in suspension, steering, and brakes, delivering a refined and engaging driving experience. The EPA rated the test vehicle at 29 mpg combined, and real-world testing affirmed this with a 29.1 mpg average on diverse terrains.

Despite Lexus’s claims, the 2022 NX’s redesign didn't entirely translate to increased spaciousness from the driver’s seat. The cozy, intimate interior design was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated seats. Rear passengers enjoyed air vents, heated seats, and ample charging ports. The back offered 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet when the seats were folded.

The 2023 Honda CR-V, while declared the roomiest by Honda, also didn’t feel remarkably spacious at the driver's seat, with a low seating position giving a car-like feel. The second row, however, presented impressive legroom and thigh support, likening it to a midsize SUV. The cargo area boasted 39.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to a substantial 76.5 cubic feet when seats were folded. Practical storage solutions included a large center bin and functional storage trays, although lined with hard plastic that could cause unwanted noise.

The 2022 Lexus NX saw a significant technological upgrade with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. It featured standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and cloud-based functionalities with over-the-air updates. The base model came with a 9.8-inch touchscreen, with a 14-inch variant available. The available 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system offered superior sound quality. The system did, however, have practical drawbacks, like rapidly collecting fingerprints and lacking a favorable display for simultaneous multiple data panels.

The 2023 Honda CR-V made strides with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel that paired with either a 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The CR-V EX-L trim came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and an upgraded sound system. Navigational and premium sound system upgrades were reserved for the top-tier CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid. While the tech reflected a significant improvement, it didn't push boundaries, simply aligning the CR-V with its rivals rather than surpassing them.

The 2022 Lexus NX incorporated comprehensive driver assistance systems under the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 banner. This included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and lane-centering assist, and emergency stop technologies. Advanced features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management were noteworthy additions, aiming to enhance driver safety and collision prevention.

The 2023 Honda CR-V improved on its predecessor with the Honda Sensing suite, encompassing adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The package also included lane-departure warning, lane-centering assist, traffic sign recognition, and more. Newly integrated features like Traffic Jam Assist provided enhanced driver support in low-speed situations. The CR-V's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and new airbag designs promised heightened protection in crashes. However, official crash test ratings were still pending due to the new redesign.