2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2021 Ford Explorer presented a classic approach to SUV design, reminiscent of Ford's historical branding strategy. It shared a familial resemblance with other Ford SUVs, characterized by sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive front visages. The Explorer offered six trim levels, each with varying grille designs and price points ranging from $32,925 to $52,730. Inside, it featured three rows of seating as standard, with a clean dashboard and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen. The XLT trim was particularly popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and a 6.5-inch instrument panel screen.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid, positioned between the UX and RX models, maintained a sharp, streamlined profile with a scowling front. Despite its luxury branding, the NX shared its platform with the older Toyota RAV4, making it less advanced than its sibling. The F Sport Black Line edition added sporty elements like a larger mesh grille and dark-finish wheels. Inside, the NX's design felt familiar, with a stepped center console and a lack of traditional luxury materials. The Black Line package included features like an F Sport heated steering wheel and NuLuxe upholstery, but the overall material quality felt more mainstream than luxurious.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, offered a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim increased power to 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering up to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in the Explorer ST. The Explorer excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 194 horsepower. It featured standard all-wheel drive and a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. The NX Hybrid prioritized fuel efficiency over performance, with a clunky transition between electric and gasoline power. The Black Line package's sport-tuned suspension improved handling, but the steering felt numb. Drive modes like Eco and Sport offered minimal impact on performance.

The Ford Explorer accommodated seven passengers in its base model, with captain’s chairs reducing capacity to six in other trims. It offered 39 inches of second-row legroom and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in use. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo capacity to 81 cubic feet, though this was less than some competitors.

The Lexus NX Hybrid had limited front and rear headroom, with the worst rear legroom in its class. The front seats provided good support, and features like 10-way power adjustment and heated/ventilated seats were available. The sloping roofline and thick pillars hindered rear visibility. Cargo space was limited to 16.8 cubic feet with seats up and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded, making it the least spacious in its segment.

The Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Charging options included USB ports and multiple power points, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim.

The Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system featured an 8-inch display with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, the Remote Touch Interface touchpad was difficult to use while driving. The system felt outdated, with text-heavy menus and basic graphics. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system available on higher trims.

The Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and an “Acceptable” rating for adaptive headlights. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included features like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. Additional driver-assistance features were available in higher trims.

The Lexus NX Hybrid also received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, offering features like adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were newly standard for 2021.