2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Nissan Murano

The 2021 Lexus RX was a prime example of modern design aesthetics that defined the brand. From its large grille to angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof, the RX displayed a cohesive and luxurious exterior. The interior boasted sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, despite the somewhat bland center console. Lexus sold the RX in five variants: the RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid. The standard variants were the RX and RX Hybrid, while the F Sport catered to performance enthusiasts, and the RXL and RXL Hybrid offered extended bodies with third-row seating.

Changes made to the RX's exterior from the 2020 model carried over into 2021. The elongated headlights and updated nose significantly improved from the fish-mouth look that was criticized in earlier models. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lights all around, rear privacy glass, integrated LED turn signals in the side mirrors, and a discreet rear spoiler hiding the windshield wiper mechanism. Exterior upgrades consisted of 20-inch split five-spoke wheels, triple-beam LED headlights, a windshield wiper de-icer, and a heavy-duty heater. The F Sport Appearance package enhanced the sports aesthetic of the RX with 20-inch F Sport wheels, black outer mirrors, and other F Sport badging and internal features.

Inside, even the base RX 350 model exhibited a luxurious feel with standard carpeted floor mats, chrome door handles, and leather-trimmed surfaces, including a three-spoke steering wheel and shift knob. Available upgrades included semi-aniline leather upholstery, sport seats, a heated steering wheel, and advanced seating adjustments and configurations.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Murano had a design that once was ahead of its time but had since become more accepted in mainstream car design. Its L-shaped LED headlights and heavily contoured front end were no longer groundbreaking but still attractive. The interior was more conservative, focusing on comfort for commutes and road trips rather than sporty looks. The Murano's cabin had a carefully considered layout where all controls were intuitively placed, reducing the learning curve for new users.

The Murano was available in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The base S offered 18-inch alloy wheels, manual front seats, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among other features. The SV added power-adjustable front seats, adaptive cruise control, remote start, fog lights, and more. The SL brought 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, and enhanced cabin lighting, topped off with a Bose premium stereo system. The Platinum trim pushed the luxury envelope further with a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, premium leather, dark wood interior accents, and ventilated front seats.

Overall, both vehicles presented themselves stylishly but targeted different consumer aesthetics—Lexus aiming for luxurious performance and Nissan maintaining a practical and comfortable approach.

The 2021 Lexus RX came equipped with a powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque across the RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport variants. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, generally offered smooth gear transitions but sometimes hesitated under acceleration. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 was the most fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive models saw a slight decrease, and the RXL with AWD managed only 21 mpg combined.

Hybrid models like the RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid featured a combination of a 3.5-liter V6 engine and three electric motors, producing a total of 308 horsepower, controlled by an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). These hybrids came standard with AWD and delivered either 29 or 31 mpg in the city, depending on the variant, and 28 mpg on the highway.

Suspension and handling updates from 2020 made the RX more dynamic, especially in AWD, which felt planted in corners despite some body roll at higher speeds. The F Sport Handling package enhanced sporty elements with adaptive variable suspension and specially designed seats and steering components.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano came with a singular 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available. The V6 engine boasted impressive low-speed acceleration, ideal for urban driving, although the CVT tended to dull its power at higher speeds, leading to a noticeable lag during highway overtakes.

While the Murano focused on delivering a comfortable ride, it still handled corners well and absorbed road imperfections efficiently. However, its 1,500-pound towing capacity was relatively low for a midsize SUV, lagging behind even some compact models.

Ultimately, while the Lexus RX emphasized a balanced mix of power and efficiency with multiple engine options and sporty upgrades, the Nissan Murano concentrated on providing a smooth, comfortable driving experience, albeit with limited towing capacity.

From an interior functionality perspective, the 2021 Lexus RX excelled in many areas despite some shortcomings. The RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h were two-row SUVs seating up to five, with the RXL and RXL Hybrid offering three rows to accommodate six or seven passengers. The front seats provided ample space for occupants, while the second row was also comfortable for adults. However, the third row in the RXL models was quite cramped. The sport seats in the RX proved highly comfortable, even on long journeys.

Cargo space in the RX was moderate, especially when compared to rivals. The two-row RX provided 18.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row RXL variant offered only 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 58.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. Competitors like the Nissan Murano and Honda CR-V offered significantly more cargo space. Standard was a power liftgate, with a hands-free option available.

The 2021 Nissan Murano catered to practicality with a maximum of 67 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats were folded, and 32.1 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. While not class-leading, it surpassed the RX's capacity. Other competitors provided even more room, like the Hyundai Santa Fe with 72.1 cubic feet and the Honda Passport with a massive 100.7 cubic feet. The Murano’s SL and Platinum trims included a hands-free power liftgate to enhance convenience further.

Where the Murano shone was in its two-row seating configuration, which avoided the cramped third-row dilemma of many midsize SUVs. Passengers enjoyed generous headroom and legroom in both front and rear seats, with the second row capable of reclining for additional comfort. The design prioritized ease-of-use, with a traditional shifter and a center console rich with functional storage spaces, enhancing everyday practicality.

In summary, while the Lexus RX offered a luxurious and slightly versatile interior, the Nissan Murano provided superior cargo space and a more practical, two-row seating experience.

The 2021 Lexus RX was well-equipped with tech features suited for today's drivers. Standard technology included 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, WiFi hot spot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades spanned to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, trip-zone automatic climate control, additional USB ports, moonroof and panoramic roof options, wireless charging, navigation, and either a 12-piece or premium 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system.

The touch interface of the infotainment screen was functional but not always user-friendly. While the Remote Touch controller offered an alternative way to navigate the screen, taking up valuable center console space, its intuitiveness lagged behind competitors like Acura’s system. Notably, the RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which could be a deal-breaker for tech-savvy consumers.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Murano's standard tech was straightforward and user-friendly. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen with a logical menu layout, enhanced by physical buttons and dials, making navigation simple. Standard connectivity included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enabling seamless integration of smartphone functionalities. Available upgrades were more modest but included an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation.

The Murano’s infotainment system prioritized ease-of-use over cutting-edge technology, offering a satisfying experience for users without demanding a steep learning curve.

Safety was a strong point for both the 2021 Lexus RX and the 2021 Nissan Murano, though each had its unique attributes.

The 2021 Lexus RX earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring Good in all crashworthiness tests. However, the longer body of the RXL and RXL Hybrid variants hadn’t been tested, potentially impacting their crashworthiness. NHTSA ratings for the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h were four out of five stars overall, with a perfect five-star rating in the side-impact category. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, ten airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite integrated a range of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Despite its comprehensive safety suite, the RX lacked the more autonomous functionalities found in some competitors.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, including reverse automatic emergency braking (a new standard feature for 2021), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. These joined previously standard driver assistance features like forward automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Advanced features such as a surround-view parking monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and parking sensors were available but not standard.

Both vehicles provided robust safety features, but the Murano’s standard comprehensive package highlighted its commitment to occupant protection and road safety.