2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a mid-sized luxury SUV that balanced between the sleekness of the Evoque and the boxiness of the traditional Range Rover. Its design featured a low roof and steeply-raked windshield, giving it a unique profile. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end and short overhangs, which were not only stylish but also functional for off-roading. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements like larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar offered a luxurious experience with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more immersive than typical SUVs.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX retained the brand's familial design with sharp lines and a sculpted exterior, similar to the smaller UX and larger RX models. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models offered a sporty appearance, especially the F Sport variant with its honeycomb grille and 18-inch wheels. The interior was comfortable, with quilted NuLuxe sport seats and a choice of color schemes. The NX's cabin was well-insulated from road and wind noise, providing a typical Lexus quiet ride. However, the center stack design was somewhat outdated, and the infotainment system was less user-friendly compared to competitors.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, particularly in its SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, was equipped with a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its impressive power, the Velar's performance was not as sharp as some competitors, and it felt large on tight roads. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was also available. The Velar's off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although it lacked a low-range transfer case.

The 2021 Lexus NX, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds, which was average for its class. The NX offered a smooth and comfortable ride, with an adaptive suspension system available for enhanced handling. The F Sport variant included Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note, though it was more of a gimmick. The NX's all-wheel-drive system could transfer up to 50% of torque to the rear axle, but it lacked individual-wheel torque vectoring. Fuel economy was decent, with the FWD model achieving 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was positioned between small and midsize luxury SUVs, offering a unique size that felt larger on the road but didn't translate to more interior space. It provided 15.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling, while visually appealing, limited headroom and visibility. The interior felt cramped, with limited legroom and a tall center console. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models capable of towing up to 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured a well-styled and comfortable interior, with ample room for front and rear passengers. The rear seats offered a 60/40 split-folding configuration, providing 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 54.6 cubic feet with the seats down. While the NX's cargo capacity was one of the smallest in its class, it offered a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and available power-folding rear seats. The cabin was quiet, with minimal road and wind noise, maintaining the brand's reputation for a serene driving experience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar came with the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, featuring dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, and smartphone integration. The upper screen handled navigation and media, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. Despite its high-quality graphics, the system was criticized for slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display, though the capacitive steering-wheel controls were prone to glare.

The 2021 Lexus NX offered an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it was less user-friendly than competitors. The Navigation package added features like predictive traffic information and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Enform Remote app allowed remote control of various vehicle functions, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system was available on higher trims.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for crash testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as options, though Land Rover's driver-assist tech was less sophisticated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a comprehensive suite of safety features such as lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. The NX received top "Good" scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided additional safety services, and the NX was backed by a robust warranty.