2021 Audi Q3 vs 2021 Lexus NX

In an era marked by varying styles in automotive design, the 2021 Audi Q3 stood out with its massive Audi corporate grille, which was both appealing and practical. The chunky styling of the Q3 suggested utility and dynamic handling, although it excelled more in handling. Inside, the Q3 maintained a mechanical, modern aesthetic, with the dashboard emphasizing the central touchscreen infotainment system. When this interior was introduced with the redesigned Q3 in 2019, it was notable. However, recent Volkswagen interiors began to catch up in design, causing the Q3's interior to lose some of its unique flair.

The Q3 was available in two trims: Premium and Premium Plus. Standard features on the Premium trim included leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Additional features like a power liftgate and multiple USB ports were also standard. The Premium Plus trim enhanced the offering with remote start, wireless device charging, and a hands-free power liftgate. Missing from the 2021 lineup was the previously available Prestige trim, although its features could still be acquired via options and packages.

On the other hand, the 2021 Lexus NX exhibited a sharp, sculpted exterior that was characteristic of Lexus' design language, somewhat reminiscent of the Toyota RAV4 in terms of dimensions. The NX retained a familiar appearance, sharply integrating design elements seen in the smaller UX and the larger RX models. Standard features included power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The F Sport trim added sportier elements such as a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and distinctive 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the Lexus NX offered high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish. The F Sport model boasted exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats, with available color schemes including Circuit Red. The gauge cluster in the NX was also familiar to anyone who had driven a Lexus in recent years, featuring a four-dial setup with a 4.2-inch multi-information display. Although functional and attractive, the design felt somewhat dated compared to newer models from other brands.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. In its standard tune, this engine produced 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The S-Line trim offered a more powerful version of the same engine, generating 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Despite the reduced base price, the more potent S-Line powertrain added $2,000 to the MSRP.

This potent powertrain added liveliness to the Q3, particularly in "S" or Sport mode, which sharpened throttle response and transmission mapping. While the base engine also had a decent jump from a standstill, it was more plagued by turbo lag. Despite these distinctions, Q3's handling was nimble and engaging without compromising ride quality, achieving a seamless blend that many automakers often missed.

Contrastingly, the 2021 Lexus NX wasn't designed to be particularly sporty but was still capable. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The NX could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, a typical performance for its class. Although the powertrain could get noisy under hard acceleration, it generally offered a quiet ride. The F Sport variant included Active Sound Control, which electronically enhanced the engine note through the speakers, a feature that some purists found unnecessary.

The NX came with front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard, while AWD was available across all trims. The AWD system could transfer up to 50 percent of the car's torque to the rear axle but did not offer individual-wheel torque vectoring.

Fuel economy for the NX was consistent across all trims, with the FWD model getting an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. The AWD variant maintained similar figures except for a slight dip to 24 mpg combined. The available adaptive suspension system, inspired by the LC 500 sport coupe, provided instantaneous compression and damping adjustments.

The NX, even in its F Sport guise, leaned on Lexus norms of smooth, comfortable driving. Though agile, the steering offered little feedback. The NX came with three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, each altering throttle response and steering assist. It also had a modest 2,000-pound towing capacity and an electronically limited top speed of 124 mph.

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 space behind the seats was decent for a subcompact luxury SUV, the overall cargo space with the seats folded was below par for the class. However, the Q3 compensated for this with ample passenger space. The front seats were comfortable and offered numerous deep cargo pockets. The rear seats provided impressive headroom and legroom, making road trips for four passengers comfortable, provided they packed light.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX had a well-styled and comfortable interior, despite some outdated elements like the elevated center stack. The front seats afforded plenty of room for adults, while the second row could easily accommodate two adults with sufficient legroom for extended trips. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the second-row seats offered a 60/40 split-folding option.

However, the NX fell short in cargo space. It provided just 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats, expanding to 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it one of the smallest in its class. Features like a power liftgate with kick sensor and power-folding rear seats were available, adding some convenience.

The 2021 Audi Q3 came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Audi’s MMI interface. It featured logical menu navigation, standard Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The upgraded system offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless device charging, satellite radio, and a Bang & Olufsen 15-speaker premium audio system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit, which replaced conventional instrument clusters with a customizable digital display, was also available.

On the other hand, the Lexus NX housed its infotainment screen high above the center stack. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard, while a 10.3-inch screen was available with the Navigation package, which included predictive traffic information, detour preview, and fuel station guidance. New for 2021, the infotainment system included HomeLink. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the latter integrating Google Assistant. However, the Lexus infotainment system was known for being less user-friendly, relying heavily on a touchpad and burying essential functions deep within menus.

Other standard features in the NX included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, and HD Radio. The car also had a standard eight-speaker audio system, with an upgrade to the 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system available. Additionally, Lexus Enform Remote mobile app compatibility and a 10-year Lexus Enform Services Connect subscription were included, offering features like remote start/stop and climate control adjustments.

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

The 2021 Lexus NX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 as standard. This system 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 features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights.

The NX was equipped with Lexus Enform Safety Connect, which included an emergency-assistance button, roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, and stolen-vehicle notification. The IIHS gave the NX top "Good" scores in all crash tests, a "Superior" rating for its front crash-prevention technology, and an "Acceptable" rating for the LATCH system's ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the NX a five-star overall safety rating.