2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and giving it a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and rough-grained plastic dominating the cabin. The switchgear was solid, and the aluminum speaker covers and white stitching added some flair, but overall, it lacked the luxury feel expected at its price point.

The 2021 Lexus NX carried over the brand's familial design and styling attributes, with sharp lines and a sculpted exterior that made it look like a smaller UX or larger RX. The NX F Sport variant added sporty touches like a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the F Sport models featured quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional Circuit Red interior color schemes. The material fit and finish were excellent, with a familiar gauge cluster and a 4.2-inch multi-information display. However, the center stack design looked dated, and the G-Force meter felt gimmicky. Despite these quirks, the NX's interior was comfortable and well-appointed, living up to Lexus's reputation for quality.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive chassis that provided better weight distribution than its predecessor's front-wheel-drive platform. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ST's suspension and steering, tuned by Ford Performance, delivered a nimble and engaging driving experience. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine. The Explorer's fuel economy was decent, with the hybrid achieving 23 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the turbo V6 averaged 18 mpg.

The 2021 Lexus NX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, which was average for the segment. The F Sport models featured Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note electronically. The NX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. Fuel economy was respectable, with the FWD model achieving 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, while the AWD model got 24 mpg combined. The NX's adaptive suspension system, based on the LC 500 sport coupe, provided a smooth and comfortable ride, though the steering lacked feedback. The NX had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space and practicality. On a road trip to Maine, it provided ample room for passengers and cargo. The second row felt like first class, with air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row was spacious enough for six-foot-tall adults on short journeys. Cargo space was generous, with 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it easy to use, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras were drawbacks.

The 2021 Lexus NX had a stylish and comfortable interior, with plenty of room for front and rear passengers. The second-row seats offered good legroom, and heated and ventilated seats were available. However, the NX's cargo space was limited, with just 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The NX's power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were convenient features. Despite some engine noise, the cabin was quiet, with minimal road and wind noise.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Factory navigation was standard on all models except the base XLT. Keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The touchscreen was high-resolution and well-organized, but the instrument panel felt unfinished. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system was available but not as advanced as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HomeLink. The Navigation package added Lexus Enform Destination Assist, a personal concierge service. Other standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hot spot. The Lexus Premium Audio system was standard, with an optional Mark Levinson 14-speaker system. The NX was compatible with the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app, which allowed remote control of various functions. Lexus Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts and a 10-year subscription was included.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. A passenger front knee airbag was standard. The Explorer received an "Acceptable" score in the small overlap test on the driver's side from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional safety features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).