2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX offered a distinctive and recognizable design that was a hallmark of the Lexus brand. Lexus made three versions of the NX: the NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and NX 300h hybrid, but our focus was on the NX 300 and the 300 F Sport gasoline models. The performance-oriented F Sport variant sported enhancements such as a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels, which significantly elevated its sporty appearance. The Lexus NX drew visual connections to its siblings, the smaller UX and the larger RX, with power-folding mirrors and 17-inch wheels as standard visual elements.

Inside, the NX 300 F Sport provided notable exclusivity with quilted NuLuxe sport seats and an optional Circuit Red interior. The fit and finish were excellent, and the layout maintained a gauge cluster design familiar to Lexus drivers. However, compared to more modern setups like the all-digital displays in the 2022 Hyundai Tucson and 2021 Nissan Rogue, the NX's display seemed dated. Additional features like a G-Force meter, reminiscent of the Lexus LFA supercar technology, added a sporty, although somewhat gimmicky touch.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda CR-V presented a less ambitious but functional exterior design. It looked much like other competitive crossovers in the market. The CR-V came with subtle distinguishing features, like the grille opening and minor chromed plastic enhancements. However, it didn't aim to stand out visually. With a color range mostly dominated by shades of gray, black, and white, the more vibrant blue and red options were limited to higher trims.

Inside, the CR-V offered practical simplicity with choices of black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather trim. As you climbed the trim ladder, more upscale materials like wood panels and chrome accents became available. The CR-V's design was more modern relative to some competitors, but visually, it didn’t win any awards.

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. Their six-speed automatic transmission provided decent shifts, although newer multi-speed transmissions like eight-, nine-, and 10-speed options offered smoother transitions. The NX could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in about seven seconds, aligning well with segment standards. The ride was mostly quiet, with a bit of engine noise during hard acceleration. The F Sport’s Active Sound Control that enhanced the engine note electronically through speakers was met with mixed feelings, viewed by some as a gimmick.

Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive an available option across all trim levels. The AWD system allowed up to 50 percent of the vehicle’s torque to transfer to the rear axle, although it didn’t feature individual-wheel torque vectoring. Fuel economy was competitive but not outstanding with the FWD model achieving an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined and AWD versions slightly lower at 24 mpg combined.

In contrast, all trims of the 2021 Honda CR-V, not including hybrid models, came with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup took the CR-V from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.8 seconds, slightly slower than the Lexus NX but still competitive within its class. While the CVT offered smooth and steady acceleration, it didn’t provide the engaging driving experience that more traditional automatic transmissions with sport modes, such as those in the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, did.

The CR-V's standard front-wheel drive could be upgraded to all-wheel drive for an additional cost, maintaining class norms. Handling was predictable and ride quality was decent overall—no major surprises here.

The 2021 Lexus NX offered a comfortable and upscale interior with ample room for front-seat occupants and reasonable space in the second row. The rear seats could be folded in a 60/40 split configuration. The cabin was well-insulated against road and wind noise. However, the NX fell short in cargo capacity with just 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, positioning it on the smaller side within its class.

On the other hand, the 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in maximizing space and functionality. It delivered a substantial 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, four cubic feet more than the Toyota RAV4. Its cargo space was also impressive, providing 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 75.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, making it a standout in terms of storage capacity.

Accessing the CR-V’s cargo area depended on the trim level. Lower trims required manual tailgate operation, while the higher trims, like the Touring, offered a hands-free power tailgate feature. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring model, whereas most competitors included them across more trims.

The 2021 Lexus NX was equipped with a range of tech features, although some left much to be desired. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system could be upgraded to a 10.3-inch screen with the Navigation package, which also included traffic information and fuel station guidance. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though the Lexus infotainment interface was criticized for its lack of user-friendliness and over-reliance on a touchpad. Other standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot, with higher trims capable of adding a moonroof and heated steering wheel.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda CR-V offered a smaller 5-inch color screen in its base LX trim but stepped up to a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the Special Edition and higher trims, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system varied by trim level, from a 180-watt system in mid-level trims to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer in the Touring trim, which also added satellite navigation. Noteworthy was the CR-V’s abundance of charging ports scattered across the cabin and the Touring’s additional wireless phone charger up front.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including features such as 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. Additional standard features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional were park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX earned top "Good" scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Lexus included a comprehensive suite of Enform Safety Connect services and offered competitive warranty coverage of four years/50,000 miles and six years/70,000 miles for the powertrain.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, however, stood out with its extensive standard safety features across all trims. Every model came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. The EX trim and above also received a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V was awarded a five-star overall rating by the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick, although it fell short of the top “+” rating due to varied headlight evaluations and the updated side crash test.