2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design with the new face of the 2021 Nissan Armada and Rogue. The front featured a snubbed nose with a deep V-motion design, complemented by a "double V-motion" feature. The Kicks retained the old Nissan logo, unlike the Rogue. Its headlights were thinner and longer, extending down the face, with the top-tier Kicks SR trim boasting LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. The rear of the Kicks showcased a new bumper, back door finisher, and LED taillight combination, giving it a proportionate look reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. However, the trunk release area appeared less premium, with a piece that seemed like an afterthought. New paint options like Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat were added, while the two-tone paint job option continued, enhancing the Kicks' upmarket appearance. The Kicks SR trim included sporty features like LED headlights, black heated mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, with over 100 million color combinations available for customization. The interior saw higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra, with new seat and door designs and a full center console armrest in the mid-range trims.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned for a December 2021 release, came in four model series: NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+. The NX 350, available in F Sport and Luxury trims, featured a distinctive spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. It was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The NX 350 F Sport stood out with a unique mesh-pattern grille, body-color fender trim, and 20-inch gloss black wheels. Inside, it had sport-bolstered seats and a black headliner, with a minimalist dashboard design. The NX's interior was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes, enhancing the interior ambiance.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Nissan Versa, was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option. The Kicks' electric power-assisted steering and independent strut stabilizer bar suspension contributed to its nimble handling, making it easy to maneuver in various driving conditions. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks offered a good power-to-weight ratio, providing adequate performance for its size. The Kicks SR trim maintained stability on icy roads, though the CVT could become noisy under heavy acceleration. The Kicks S trim rode on 16-inch steel wheels, while the SV and SR trims had 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, with an option for 17-inch black alloy wheels. Standard features included a traction control system, stability control, hill start assist, and auto-hold. The Kicks' fuel economy was impressive, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined, offering a range of 356 miles on a single tank.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 39 mpg combined, and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 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 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 250, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. 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 trim provided a more dynamic driving experience, while the Luxury trim offered a softer ride. The NX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg for the F Sport and 25.5 mpg for the Luxury. The NX's handling was improved, though the turbocharged engine lacked the refinement of German rivals. The NX was not designed for off-road use, with limited ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks' compact size allowed for easy access to buttons and knobs throughout the cabin. It offered good small-item storage, easy-access USB ports, and multiple smartphone storage options. Climate controls were user-friendly, and the seat warmers provided quick warmth. The SR trim included a heated steering wheel, beneficial for colder climates. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. It had best-in-class front seat legroom, though hip room was limited for larger drivers. The rear seats accommodated adults comfortably, and the available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the cargo area.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered more interior room, though it felt cozy from the driver's seat. It 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, while rear-seat passengers enjoyed spacious accommodations with air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX's panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat, enhancing the sense of space. The Luxury trim featured a Thematic Ambient Illumination system with 14 themes, though it wasn't tested during the evaluation. The NX's cargo space increased by 14%, offering 22.7 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 46.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered modern technology comparable to other subcompacts, with some features surpassing competitors like the Chevrolet Trax and Ford EcoSport. The base Kicks S included a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. The Kicks SV added Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, providing immersive sound. A surround-view monitor and WiFi hotspot were available, along with NissanConnect services for convenience and security.

The 2022 Lexus NX made significant technological advancements with the new Lexus Interface infotainment system. It featured large touchscreen displays, natural voice recognition, music streaming, and cloud-based features. A 9.8-inch touchscreen was standard, with a 14-inch screen as an option. Both versions included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and connected service subscription plans. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround system available. The new Voice Assistant and Intelligent Assistant systems responded to natural commands, and a complimentary three-year trial subscription to Drive Connect service was included. Additional technologies included User Profiles, digital key capability, a digital mirror, and a 10-inch head-up display. The larger touchscreen collected fingerprints and reflections, and there was no tuning knob, which was a drawback.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance features including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. It had 10 airbags, with the Kicks SV and SR adding a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert. The 2021 Kicks had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received Good marks in crashworthiness. The NHTSA gave the 2020 Kicks a four-star overall rating, and the model had a strong history of few recalls.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driver assistance and collision avoidance systems. New features included 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 stop if the driver was unresponsive. The NX also had standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist technology. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, rain-sensing wipers, semi-autonomous parking assist, and rear cross-traffic braking. A Vision Package offered a panoramic view monitoring system, front cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assistance.