2021 Toyota Highlander vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX carried forward the brand's signature design elements, offering a sharp and sculpted exterior that echoed the styling of its siblings, the smaller UX and larger RX. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models were noted for their sporty appearance, especially the F Sport variant, which featured a distinctive honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the NX F Sport boasted exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and a choice of interior color schemes, including a bold Circuit Red. The interior was praised for its excellent material fit and finish, though the design of the gauge cluster and center stack appeared somewhat dated compared to newer competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander stood out with its bold styling, featuring wide headlights, a long hood, and a trapezoidal grille. The Highlander’s design was more assertive than the previous generation, with a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car. The Limited trim, just below the top-tier Platinum, offered an upscale appearance with chrome roof rails and accents. Inside, the Highlander excelled in luxury, with near-flawless fit and finish, tan leather seats, and attractive wood details. The Highlander was designed to balance practicality and sportiness, with the XSE trim adding a more aggressive look and slight suspension tuning for a touch of driving excitement.

The 2021 Lexus NX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, allowed the NX to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds. While the engine could be noisy under hard acceleration, the ride was generally quiet and smooth. The NX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available, allowing up to 50% of torque to be transferred to the rear axle. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, with AWD models achieving similar figures. The NX also featured an adaptive-suspension system and three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, which influenced throttle response and steering assist.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided smooth and predictable performance, suitable for family driving. The Highlander’s powertrain was competitive within its segment, offering similar horsepower and torque to rivals like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. The Highlander’s suspension was soft and comfortable, though the XSE trim offered a slightly firmer setup with retuned shock absorbers and a rear stabilizer bar for a more engaging drive.

The interior of the 2021 Lexus NX was both stylish and comfortable, with ample room for front passengers and decent legroom for two adults in the second row. The NX offered a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, but its cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row 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 Toyota Highlander excelled in interior space and practicality, with large shelves ahead of the front seats for storage and a wireless charging pad in the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed generous legroom, with seats that could slide to adjust space for the third row. However, the third row was best suited for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 84.3 cubic feet with both rear rows down, offering ample room for most needs.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package, which included predictive traffic information and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though the Lexus infotainment system was criticized for its complexity. Other features included keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a WiFi hotspot. The NX also offered a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system and compatibility with the Lexus Enform Remote app for remote vehicle control.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 12.3-inch screen available on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The JBL audio system provided good sound quality, though navigation struggled with points of interest. The larger screen was visually impressive but limited in functionality for certain apps.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included features like lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The NX received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus Enform Safety Connect offered additional safety services, and the NX was backed by a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support. The Highlander also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and road-sign assist. It received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.