2020 Lexus RX vs 2021 Subaru Forester

Lexus refreshed the RX for the 2020 model year, giving it significant upgrades inside and out. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The grille was redesigned to resemble other Lexus cars, and two new paint colors were introduced: Moonbeam Beige Metallic and Nori Green Pearl. The rear received a new shape with dual exhaust, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the cabin was well-appointed with various interior colors and material combinations, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport appearance package added unique features like a special steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, and 20-inch wheels, among others. Leather-wrapped surfaces provided a premium feel, though the center stack's design was starting to show its age.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite being redesigned for the 2019 model year, retained a styling that looked older due to its carryover design from the previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. The Forester's boxy, upright shape appealed to many SUV shoppers, offering a clean and unpretentious look. The Base trim level featured 17-inch steel wheels, while the Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels. The Forester rode on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with other Subaru models, and maintained a rugged SUV image. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense mix of materials was designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange interior accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and an All-Weather Package with heated front seats and exterior mirrors.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The three-row RX 350L had slightly lower outputs of 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor for a total of 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, while the RX 450hL had a combined output of 259 horsepower from the gasoline engine and 165 horsepower from the electric motor. The RX 350 achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h AWD achieved 30 mpg combined. The RX F Sport models featured adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels for improved agility. The RX's drive modes included Normal, Eco, Sport, and EV mode for hybrids, with the F Sport package adding Sport S+ mode.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Forester's engine had a boxer configuration, providing a lower center of gravity. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound maximum towing capacity, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. The Forester's power felt adequate in most situations but lacked thrust for highway merging and overtaking. The suspension was softly sprung, resulting in poor body control and a bouncy ride on uneven pavement. The Forester featured standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and X-Mode for different surfaces, with Dual X-Mode on Sport models. Premium and higher trims included hill-descent control, and all models had 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Lexus RX's interior was not as minimalist or stylish as its German competitors but was functional. The two-row RX comfortably seated four adults, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best for small children or pets. The front seats were comfortable and provided good visibility, though the A-pillar could obstruct the driver's view. The RX's cargo area was smaller than its rivals, with a high load floor compromising space. The RX 350L and 450hL had even less cargo space compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350 and 450h models and standard on RX-L versions.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. The roofline also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feeling but allowed sunlight to raise the cabin temperature quickly. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats down, more than some competitors but less than others. The Forester lacked a sliding second-row bench but offered a power liftgate on higher trims. The cupholders were decently sized, and the center console was reasonably spacious, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone. A power-adjustable driver's seat was not standard on the Base trim.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for the 2020 model. The standard 8.0-inch display and available 12.3-inch touchscreen were moved closer to the driver. The system remained difficult to navigate, but Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and other integrations helped mitigate issues. The RX had six USB ports and a standard 12-speaker audio system, with an optional 15-speaker Mark Levinson system. A CD player was also standard.

The 2021 Subaru Forester's standard Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls but was slow to boot up. The Forester also had a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information like fuel economy and tire pressure.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The 2020 enhancements added daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX also included a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2021 Subaru Forester received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Forester came standard with EyeSight, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system called DriverFocus. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.