2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson presented a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor. Its upright layout offered drivers a commanding view of the road, while the interior boasted a modern and attractive dash design. The tech features were seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic, with buttons and dials easily accessible. The Tucson was available in six trim levels: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As you moved up the trims, additional features such as LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, and a hands-free power liftgate were included, culminating in the Ultimate trim with a panoramic sunroof and heated rear seats.

The 2021 Lexus NX retained its familial design with sharp lines and a sculpted exterior, reminiscent of the smaller UX and larger RX models. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models were available, with the F Sport offering a sportier appearance through features like a honeycomb grille and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the NX boasted excellent material fit and finish, with quilted NuLuxe sport seats exclusive to the F Sport model. The gauge cluster featured a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup, though it appeared dated compared to newer digital displays. The center stack, with its elevated climate-control buttons and CD player, also showed its age but remained functional. Despite these quirks, the NX provided a comfortable and upscale interior experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine available on higher trims, delivering 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson delivered a comfortable and refined ride, with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission was standard, though it lacked the smoothness of newer multi-speed transmissions. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds, with the powertrain becoming noisy under hard acceleration. The F Sport model featured Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note electronically. The NX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. Fuel economy was decent, with the FWD model achieving 25 mpg combined. The NX's adaptive-suspension system provided a smooth and comfortable driving experience, though the steering lacked feedback. The NX had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend trips. The Tucson's front seats provided solid headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seating for long journeys. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The interior featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage, with helpful trays for small items.

The 2021 Lexus NX offered a comfortable and upscale interior, with ample room for adults in the front seats and decent legroom in the second row. The NX featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, though its cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. This made the NX's storage capacity one of the smallest in its class. The NX provided a quiet cabin, with minimal road and wind noise, and offered a power liftgate with kick sensor technology as an option.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. This package also included predictive traffic information and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though the Lexus infotainment system was less user-friendly. Other standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a WiFi hot spot. The NX offered a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system on the top-tier model and was compatible with the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app, providing remote access to various vehicle functions.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Upper-tier trims added features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included features like lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The NX received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Lexus backed the NX with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.