2021 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might have described as frog-like. Kia referred to the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

The 2021 Lexus NX carried over its familial design and styling attributes, featuring sharp design lines that gave it a familiar appearance akin to the smaller Lexus UX and larger Lexus RX. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models were available, with the F Sport variant offering a sportier look with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the F Sport models boasted quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional Circuit Red interior color schemes. The material fit and finish were excellent, with a gauge cluster featuring a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup and a 4.2-inch multi-information display. However, the center stack showed its age with an odd design and limited small-item storage.

The 2021 Kia Sportage was available in LX, EX, or SX Turbo trims with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportages had a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportages with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw a slight dip. The turbo models had lower fuel economy, with the FWD version at 20/28/23 and the AWD at 19/24/21. The Sportage’s suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left something to be desired.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds. The FWD model had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 combined, while the AWD model had similar city/highway numbers but a combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX F Sport AWD also had a combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX featured an adaptive-suspension system and three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. The steering was numb but the car remained easy to maneuver. The NX had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed electronically limited to 124 mph.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space for the driver and passengers. The SX Turbo trim models provided a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were good, but cargo space was limited to 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Lexus NX had an upscale interior that was both stylish and comfortable. The front seats provided ample room for adults, and the second-row seats easily fit two adults with good legroom. Heated and ventilated seats were available. The NX offered a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. However, cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The NX featured a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and optional power-folding rear seats.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard equipment. Most trims also included Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trims offered wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus, physical buttons, and handy knobs.

The 2021 Lexus NX had an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The infotainment system included HomeLink, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Other standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hot spot. The Lexus Premium Audio system was standard, with an eight-speaker setup, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system was available on the top-tier NX. The NX was compatible with the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app and Lexus Enform Services Connect.

The 2021 Kia Sportage came with a comprehensive list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim also featured adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and performed well in crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which 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 safety features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS 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.