2022 Lexus NX vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned with a focus on design, offered a range of models including the NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. The NX 350, with its turbocharged engine, stood out with its distinctive Lexus spindle grille and refined styling reminiscent of the Lexus IS sports sedan. The SUV was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior featured a minimalist design with NuLuxe simulated leather upholstery, and the F Sport trim added sporty elements like a unique grille, 20-inch wheels, and sport-bolstered seats. However, the decluttered dashboard, with many functions integrated into the touchscreen, sometimes made it challenging to quickly locate controls.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design. The Passport's new styling aimed for a tougher look, especially in the TrailSport trim, which added off-road appeal with features like 20.5 cm of ground clearance and traction management modes. The Passport offered three trim levels: Sport, TrailSport, and Touring, with prices ranging from $45,570 to $52,170. The TrailSport trim, with its unique wheels and design modifications, enhanced the SUV's rugged appearance. Inside, the Passport boasted one of the largest interiors in its segment, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and ample storage space.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions, with the NX 350h delivering 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ providing 302 horsepower with a plug-in hybrid system. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The NX 350 F Sport added driving modes like Sport S and Sport+, along with an adaptive variable sports suspension. The turbocharged powertrain was more rewarding than the base NX 250's 203-horsepower engine. The NX 350 F Sport felt taut and responsive on winding roads, while the regular NX 350 offered a softer ride. However, the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of German rivals, and the NX's off-road capabilities were limited by its ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The V6 engine was smooth and powerful, with a combined fuel consumption rating of 11.3 L/100 km. The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, delivering up to 70% of the engine's power to a single rear wheel when needed. While the Passport was more capable off-road than expected, it excelled on paved roads with its firm ride, athletic handling, and satisfying acceleration. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate on mountain descents, affecting confidence in the SUV's towing capabilities.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room, though it felt cozy from the driver's seat. The SUV was comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. The F Sport trim provided better bolstering for spirited driving. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space and amenities like rear air conditioning vents and heated cushions. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with the seats folded down. The panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large doors and a low step-in height for easy access. The front seats were large and comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features standard. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim included ventilated front seats. The Passport's triple-zone climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers, with rear-seat occupants enjoying generous legroom and a slightly elevated seating position. The SUV offered ample storage, including a massive centre console bin and shelving in the door panels. Cargo space was generous, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seats and 2,854 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant strides in technology with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. It featured large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, and cloud-based features. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen available. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Voice Assistant technology. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system optional. The NX also offered a digital mirror, head-up display, and digital key capability. However, the touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob, and the cloud-based services had limitations in remote areas.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system met modern standards but needed an upgrade. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker audio system. The system had shortcut buttons and a volume knob but lacked a tuning knob. Apple CarPlay was preferred over the clunky navigation system. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base trim. The Passport's technology was not advanced, but it was functional and straightforward.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring lane keep assist, dynamic radar cruise control, and automatic high beams. New features included Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The NX also had a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. Additional packages offered rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, and semi-autonomous parking assist. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the NX to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive.

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 system. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist were intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control was not smooth in heavy traffic. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for four stars in front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.