2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, although the center console design was considered bland. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, with the RX F Sport being the most performance-focused. The 2021 model retained the elongated headlights and refined front end introduced in 2020, which aimed to address previous criticisms.

Standard exterior features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass. Optional upgrades included 20-inch wheels, triple-beam LED headlights, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The F Sport Appearance package added unique styling elements and performance dampers. Inside, even the base RX 350 model was well-appointed with features like NuLuxe-trimmed seats and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Higher trims offered semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and more. However, the center console's dated design and infotainment system were points of contention.

The 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs. It featured distinctive design elements like converging window lines near the taillights, which housed the rear door handles. Most trims came with 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport model getting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. Fog lights were standard on all but the base LX trim.

Inside, the HR-V's styling was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. Higher trims like the EX and EX-L offered push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L adding leather upholstery. While it wasn’t a luxury car, the HR-V still felt solid and well-built.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, delivering 308 horsepower managed by an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The front-wheel-drive RX 350 achieved 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the AWD versions and RXL models had slightly lower fuel efficiency. The RX Hybrid models offered better fuel economy, with up to 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The RX's suspension and handling were improved for 2020, making it more dynamic. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX could reach 60 mph in 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain, with a top speed of 124 mph. The RX Hybrid matched the 0-60 mph time but had a lower top speed of 112 mph.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While AWD was available, FWD was standard. The HR-V's powertrain was considered underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was not very effective. Competitors offered more powerful engine options.

Despite its engine limitations, the HR-V's chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda's reputation for fun cars. However, its AWD system was only suitable for slippery roads, and it lacked ground clearance and towing capability.

The 2021 Lexus RX was highly functional, seating five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h, and six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid. Front and second-row seats were spacious, but the third row was tight. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2021 Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space, thanks to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the seat folded, it offered 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 cubic feet with AWD) with the seat up. This surpassed many competitors. The HR-V also provided ample rear-seat legroom, leading the segment, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large climate control knobs and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console was dominated by a large shift lever, which was simple and easy to use.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touchpad controller for the infotainment system was not as refined as competitors' systems and took up valuable center console space. The RX did not offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The base 2021 Honda HR-V LX had Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim and higher levels featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located conveniently ahead of the shifter. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard on the base trim.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation with Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX lacked the advanced hands-off piloting technology found in some competitors.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. Honda Sensing safety features were available only on the EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, Road Departure Mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and Honda’s LaneWatch. Higher trims also upgraded the rearview camera with dynamic gridlines.