2021 Jeep Wrangler 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 sporty 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 optional Circuit Red interior, alongside more traditional color schemes. The interior's material quality was top-notch, with a familiar gauge cluster featuring a 4.2-inch multi-information display. However, the center stack's design appeared outdated, with an elevated climate-control button setup and limited small-item storage. Despite these quirks, the NX maintained a functional and comfortable interior.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, characterized by circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could feature painted or exposed fenders, soft or hard tops, and other unique styling touches. The Wrangler's design made it unmistakable on the road, appealing to those who appreciated its rugged, toy-like appearance.

Inside, the Wrangler's cabin was functional but not as comfortable as car-based SUVs. The upright seating position and limited legroom were part of its charm for the right driver. The Wrangler Unlimited offered various trims, including the bare-bones Sport, the more equipped Sport S, the street-oriented Sahara, and the off-road-ready Rubicon. Special editions like the Willys and 80th Anniversary added unique features and styling elements.

The 2021 Lexus NX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but lagged behind newer multi-speed transmissions. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, a competitive time for its segment. The F Sport model featured Active Sound Control, which electronically enhanced the engine note through the speakers, though some purists found this 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 variant had similar numbers but a slightly lower combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX's adaptive suspension system, borrowed from the LC 500 sport coupe, provided a smooth and comfortable ride, though the steering lacked feedback. The NX offered three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, each affecting throttle response and power-steering assist. The NX 300 had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other powertrains included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. All engines routed power to one of three 4WD systems: Command-Trac, Select-Trac, or Rock-Trac, with the latter featuring front-and-rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar for off-roading.

The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid offered 275 hp and up to 22 miles of electric range. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The 392 also featured a beefed-up frame, a 2-inch lift with Fox shock absorbers, and upgraded brakes. Its dual-mode performance exhaust emitted a powerful rumble, adding to the driving experience.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an upscale interior with comfortable front seats and adequate legroom for rear passengers. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats offered a 60/40 split-folding configuration. Despite some engine noise, the cabin remained quiet from road and wind noise. However, the NX's cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. A power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were available options.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Rubicon 392 featured the Sky one-touch power top, a power-retractable canvas panel that operated at speeds up to 60 mph. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It also featured drain plugs for easy cleaning. The Wrangler Unlimited provided 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, though the wheel-wells and roll-bars could make fitting larger items challenging.

The 2021 Lexus NX came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The infotainment system included HomeLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Navigation package added features like predictive traffic information, ETA calculation, and fuel station guidance. The Lexus Enform Destination Assist provided in-car personal concierge services. 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. The Lexus Enform Remote mobile app allowed users to control various functions remotely, and the Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while the Sport S and higher trims offered a 7-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8.4-inch Uconnect screen was also available. The larger screens featured crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, with radio toggles on the back of the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

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, with park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights as optional extras. The NX received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, with "Superior" front crash-prevention technology and an "Acceptable" LATCH system rating. 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 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler included a backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading. The Wrangler's safety features were basic compared to other vehicles in its class.