2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2021 Audi Q3 showcased a design that embraced the era of postmodern automotive styling. Its massive corporate grille complemented the stout, chunky styling, suggesting utility and dynamic handling, though it primarily delivered on the latter. Inside, the cabin echoed a mechanical, modern aesthetic, with a dash design that framed the center touchscreen, highlighting one of the Q3’s standout features. While the interior design was initially a standout when it debuted in 2019, the advancements in Volkswagen’s interiors made the Q3 feel less unique, though it remained modern and refined.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a design that was both different and familiar, with sharp edges and a streamlined profile. Despite its sporty appearance, the NX Hybrid’s styling hadn’t evolved much over the years. The interior, once radical, had become familiar due to its lack of changes and the use of similar designs across other Lexus models. The F Sport Black Line test car featured specific styling elements like a larger mesh grille and dark-finish wheels, which added to its sporty look. However, the material quality inside felt more akin to a mainstream brand rather than a luxury one, with plastic switchgear and trim where metal might be expected in higher-end models.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version of the same engine, delivering 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This optional power unit was previously standard, but Audi lowered the base MSRP by $2,000, making the more potent engine a $2,000 option. The Q3’s performance was lively, with solid power for passing and engaging drive modes like “S” or Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response and transmission mapping. Despite some turbo lag in the base engine, the Q3 offered nimble handling and a comfortable ride, striking a balance between engagement and refinement.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine running on the Atkinson cycle, assisted by an electric motor, with a total system output of 194 horsepower. The NX 300h hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty F Sport styling, the NX Hybrid was not a performance vehicle, with a 0 to 60 mph time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph. The drivetrain struggled with a heavy right foot, delivering a clunky transition between electric and gasoline power. However, the sport-tuned suspension in the Black Line package improved handling, maintaining a comfortable ride. The NX Hybrid’s steering was numb, and the drive modes didn’t significantly impact performance, with Eco mode further blunting acceleration.

The 2021 Audi Q3 offered 48 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. While the cargo space with the seats folded was subpar for the class, the space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV. The Q3 compensated with ample passenger space, providing comfortable front seats with deep cargo pockets and impressive rear headroom and legroom. It could seat five, but four passengers could comfortably take a road trip, provided they packed light.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid had the least front headroom in its segment, with rear headroom also near the bottom of the rankings. Front-seat legroom was generous, but rear legroom was the worst among its competitors, contributing to cramped rear seats. The front seats, however, offered excellent support, with extra bolstering in the Black Line-specific seats. The sloping roofline and thick rear pillars hindered rear visibility, though large exterior mirrors helped. The NX Hybrid’s cargo space was limited, with 16.8 cubic feet with the rear bench in place and 53.7 cubic feet with it folded, making it the worst in the segment. Power-folding second row and power liftgate were available but not standard.

The 2021 Audi Q3 featured a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI system, with logical menu navigation and standard Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. An upgraded 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation was available, along with features like wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit, an optional digital display replacing the conventional instrument cluster, offered customization and could display the navigation map across nearly the entire screen.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid’s infotainment system was a weak point, with a standard 8-inch display screen and an optional 10.3-inch display. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, along with a built-in WiFi hotspot. However, it lacked a touchscreen, relying on the awkward Remote Touch Interface touchpad, which was difficult to use while driving. Analog controls were provided for most functions, and drivers could use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to bypass the native system. The graphics appeared dated, and the menus were text-heavy. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system available on higher trims.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with Audi Pre Sense and Pre Sense Front, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Lane-departure warning was also standard. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional available features were a 360-degree camera system, front-and-rear parking sensors, and self-parking assist.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid received a “Top Safety Pick+” award from the IIHS, with top “Good” scores in all crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. All NX models came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were newly standard for 2021. The only notable omission was a 360-degree camera system.