2021 Ford Edge vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX was available in three versions: the NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and the NX 300h hybrid. This comparison focused on the gasoline models, specifically the NX 300 and the performance-oriented NX 300 F Sport. The NX carried over Lexus's signature design elements, featuring sharp lines and a sculpted exterior similar to the smaller UX and larger RX models. Standard features included power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The F Sport variant added sportier touches like a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels.

Inside, the NX F Sport boasted exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats, with options for a Circuit Red interior color scheme. The material quality was excellent, with leather and wood trim available. The gauge cluster featured a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup with a 4.2-inch multi-information display, though it appeared dated compared to newer models. The center stack, with its elevated climate-control buttons and rare CD player, also showed its age but remained functional. However, the layout left little room for open small-item storage between the driver and passenger.

The 2021 Ford Edge retained its styling from the 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford's current design language with the existing Edge body. The Edge Titanium featured extra chrome accents, while the Edge ST had a blacked-out grille, 20-inch wheels, and a body kit. The ST-Line offered the same exterior styling as the ST but without the performance upgrades.

Inside, the Edge's design felt less fresh, having been awkwardly updated over the years to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium model came with leather upholstery, and the ST had sporty front seats with added bolstering and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching. Despite these updates, the interior design lagged behind the exterior's modern look.

The 2021 Lexus NX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission, which was adequate but less smooth than the eight-, nine-, and ten-speed transmissions found in competitors. The NX accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in around seven seconds, a standard time for its class. The F Sport model included Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note electronically, though some found this feature gimmicky.

Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The AWD system could transfer up to 50% of torque to the rear axle but lacked individual-wheel torque vectoring. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the AWD model had similar figures but a combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX 300 had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a top speed electronically limited to 124 mph. The adaptive suspension system, based on the LC 500 sport coupe, provided a smooth and comfortable ride, though the steering felt numb.

The 2021 Ford Edge offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It came with standard FWD and optional AWD. The Edge ST featured a more powerful EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6, producing 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque on 93-octane fuel, with standard AWD and model-specific suspension tuning.

The Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, though it fell short of that benchmark. However, it provided a refined driving experience for an SUV based on an older platform. The base FWD Edge had a towing capacity of 3,958 pounds, the AWD model could tow 4,122 pounds, and the V6-powered Edge ST had a capacity of 4,525 pounds. These figures were respectable but fell short of competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, which could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an upscale interior with comfortable front seats and adequate legroom for two adults in the second row. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats had a 60/40 split-folding design. The NX offered 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it one of the smallest in its class. A power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were available options.

The 2021 Ford Edge provided competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among two-row midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard. Cargo space was generous, with 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, second only to the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. A foot-activated power liftgate was available on higher trims. The rotary shift knob freed up space on the center console, but the narrow console width limited overall storage space.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The system included predictive traffic information, ETA calculation, and fuel station guidance. New for 2021, the Navigation package added HomeLink and Lexus Enform Destination Assist, an in-car personal concierge. 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, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Premium Audio system had eight speakers, with an optional Mark Levinson 14-speaker system available on top trims. The Lexus Enform Remote mobile app allowed users to control various functions remotely, and a 10-year subscription to Lexus Enform Services Connect was included.

The 2021 Ford Edge came with the latest Sync 4 infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. Four USB ports, including two rear USB ports with one USB-C, were available. Sync 4's simple graphics and straightforward menu layouts made it user-friendly, and not all competitors offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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 features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, a "Superior" rating for front crash-prevention technology, and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH system ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus backed the NX with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," with top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention. It received an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention, an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH system ease of use, and "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings depending on the trim. The NHTSA gave 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 under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner 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 with stop-and-go and lane centering, along with Evasive Steering Assist, was standard on all but the base SE trim.