2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2021 Ford Edge maintained a familiar styling since its 2019 refresh, which successfully aligned its exterior with Ford's contemporary design language. This refresh gave the Edge a cleaner appearance compared to the more elaborate designs of competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Edge Titanium models featured additional chrome accents to signify their premium status, while the Edge ST trim boasted a blacked-out grille, standard 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered the same exterior styling as the ST but without the performance enhancements and higher price. Inside, the Edge's design began to show its age, with an interior that seemed less fresh than its exterior. Over the years, it had been awkwardly modified to accommodate new features, such as a larger touchscreen. The Titanium models came with leather upholstery, and the ST models had sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, both featuring contrast stitching.

The 2021 Lexus RX embodied the modern design aesthetic of Lexus, showcasing elements like a large grille, angular headlamps, a shapely body, and a floating roof. The interior was luxurious, with sumptuous seating and perforated leather upholstery, though the center console was considered bland. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid. The RX and RX Hybrid served as the base models, while the RX F Sport was the most performance-oriented. The RXL and RXL Hybrid featured extended bodies with a third row of seating. The RX retained the body changes from the 2020 model, which included elongated headlights and a redesigned front end. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass. Optional upgrades included 20-inch wheels, triple-beam LED headlights, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The F Sport Appearance package added unique styling elements and performance dampers. The interior was well-appointed, even in the base model, with features like NuLuxe-trimmed seats and a power-adjustable steering wheel. However, the center console design and infotainment system were seen as dated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Ford Edge primarily featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The Edge ST performance model offered a more powerful EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel. The ST came with standard AWD, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and specific suspension tuning. An optional package included upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels with summer tires. The Edge ST, introduced in 2019, aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though some found this comparison ambitious. The Edge was noted for its refinement, despite its aging platform, although the turbo-four engine in non-ST models was considered somewhat sluggish. Towing capacities varied, with the base FWD model capable of towing 3,958 pounds, the AWD model 4,122 pounds, and the V6-powered ST 4,525 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which was generally smooth but occasionally struggled with gear selection under acceleration. The RX 350 FWD was the most fuel-efficient, achieving 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. AWD and RXL models saw a slight decrease in fuel efficiency. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, offering 308 horsepower and an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). These models came standard with AWD and achieved up to 31 mpg in the city. The RX's suspension and handling were improved for 2020, providing a more dynamic driving experience. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive suspension and other performance features. The RX was a comfortable cruiser, with the F-Sport model offering a bit more excitement. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers. Legroom in both the front and rear seats was second only to the Hyundai Santa Fe. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control. Cargo space was generous, with 39.2 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded, trailing only the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Edge's rotary shift knob was designed to free up console space, but the narrow console width limited its effectiveness. A storage nook below the raised console was available but difficult to access.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a highly functional SUV, despite its design aesthetics. The two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h seated five, while the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid accommodated six or seven passengers. Front-seat occupants enjoyed ample space, and the second row was suitable for adults. However, the third row was cramped for any age group. The RX's cargo space was limited compared to traditional SUVs, with 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row RX offered just 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. Competitors like the Nissan Murano and Honda CR-V provided more cargo space. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2021 Ford Edge was equipped with Ford's latest Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other standard tech included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST models came with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Edge featured four USB ports, including two rear USB ports added for 2021. While the Sync 4 system was praised for its simple graphics and user-friendly interface, not all competitors offered wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with a range of technology features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Available upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, wireless charging, navigation, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The infotainment system's touch functionality was effective, though the operating system was not the most intuitive. The Remote Touch controller allowed drivers to navigate the system without touching the screen, but it was less refined than competitors' systems and occupied valuable console space. The RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which might be a drawback for some buyers.

The 2021 Ford Edge was recognized as an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," earning top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. However, it received an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention and "Acceptable" and "Poor" ratings for headlights, depending on the trim. The NHTSA awarded the Edge a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, post-collision braking, dynamic brake support, and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist were standard on all but the base SE trim.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, with "Good" marks in crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid's longer bodies could affect crashworthiness, but they were not tested by IIHS. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. While comprehensive, the RX's safety features lacked the advanced hands-off piloting systems found in some competitors. The RX had two complete sets of LATCH connectors for child safety seats in the rear outboard seats.