2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased the brand's modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. The interior featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland and dated. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, each catering to different needs, from performance to extended seating. The 2021 model retained the elongated headlights and refined front-end design introduced in 2020, which aimed to address previous criticisms. Standard exterior features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. 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, power-adjustable front seats, and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Higher trims offered semi-aniline leather upholstery, sport seats, and additional comfort features. However, the center console's design and the infotainment system's dated appearance were notable drawbacks. While other automakers had moved to more modern designs, Lexus stuck with traditional buttons and a charcoal plastic look.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, boasted a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of models like the Tiguan and Atlas. The ID.4 was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform and followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. While it didn't look much like an SUV, it shared this trait with many other EV crossovers. The interior combined Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while higher trims offered leatherette upholstery.

The ID.4's interior design aimed to blend technology with simplicity, but some elements, like the touchpads, were challenging to use without tactile feedback. The natural-language voice-control system provided an alternative to the touchpads, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light feature added a futuristic touch, but its practical value was limited. Despite these quirks, the touchscreen was well-positioned, and the infotainment system's graphics and menus were user-friendly.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 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, producing 308 horsepower. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 achieved 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the AWD and RXL versions saw slightly lower fuel economy. The RX Hybrid models managed up to 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The RX's suspension and handling were tuned for comfort, with the F Sport Handling package adding adaptive variable suspension and sportier features. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An AWD version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered additional traction and power. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, with noticeable body roll in corners but a smooth ride over bumps. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, instead relying on friction brakes and coasting for efficiency.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a functional SUV with seating for five in the two-row models and six or seven in the three-row RXL versions. Front and second-row seats provided ample space, while 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 RXL offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. The RX's cargo space was less than competitors like the Nissan Murano and Honda CR-V. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though legroom was average. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, more than several EV rivals but less than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 did not have a front trunk, prioritizing cabin space instead. The interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility but limited rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. The center console was narrow, offering limited storage for larger items but plenty of space for phones.

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 infotainment system's touchpad controller was less refined than competitors, and the RX lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with a 12-inch option), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads for controls. The touchpads were challenging to use without tactile feedback, and the control setup required relearning simple tasks. The natural-language voice-control system provided an alternative, though it was slow to respond. The ID.Light feature added a futuristic touch but had limited practical value. The touchscreen was well-positioned, with user-friendly graphics and menus.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation and scored well in 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, blind-spot monitoring, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which offered a suite of driver-assist technologies. The RX lacked the advanced hands-off piloting systems found in some competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and received five out of five stars from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard driver aids included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New features for 2021 included Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist, which could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to acceleration and deceleration.