2021 Toyota RAV4 vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 aimed to capture the ruggedness of a traditional SUV. Toyota designed its exterior to appeal to those who favor crossovers for their styling. The RAV4’s boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and scowling front end differentiated it from the more approachable look of previous generations and other compact crossovers on the market. Despite its more aggressive demeanor, the underpinnings of the RAV4 rested on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. This platform, common among many Toyota models like the Camry and Sienna, provided a solid mechanical foundation but lacked the off-road grit its exterior design suggested.

Options to enhance the look included the RAV4 Adventure model, which featured an Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents. The TRD Off-Road model added more rugged details such as matte black 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and red interior accents.

Inside, the RAV4 continued its rugged theme with large rubberized knobs and door handles. Material quality was decent for lower trims, but luxury was not a strong suit even in higher trims. For example, the TRD Off-Road's SofTex upholstery was practical but paled in comparison to real leather. The most expensive RAV4 variant, the Limited trim, also lacked true leather upholstery.

The 2021 Lexus NX, offered in NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and NX 300h hybrid variants, followed a more premium design philosophy. The sharp design lines and sculpted exterior of the NX shared a familial look with both the smaller Lexus UX and the larger Lexus RX. Standard features like power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels aligned with luxury expectations.

Choosing the F Sport trim added sportier design elements such as a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the F Sport variant featured exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional Circuit Red interior accents. Traditional interior materials included leather and wood trim.

Lexus maintained high material fit and finish, a hallmark of the brand. The driver’s gauge cluster featured a familiar four-dial setup with contemporary displays, although it appeared dated compared to the newer all-digital offerings from competitors.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a “Dynamic Force” 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission, was standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). For those seeking more power, Toyota offered the RAV4 Hybrid with 219 horsepower and the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid delivering 302 horsepower.

Though the Dynamic Force engine was efficient, achieving 40% thermal efficiency, it wasn't complemented by a similarly dynamic driving experience. The transmission’s reluctance to shift and the artificial feel of the steering detracted from the overall driving satisfaction. The RAV4 was better suited for highway cruising than spirited driving. Additionally, Toyota focused on enhancing the RAV4’s off-road capability with the Adventure and TRD Off-Road models, which featured torque-vectoring rear axles and 8.6 inches of ground clearance. However, without traditional off-road equipment like a two-speed transfer case, these models were not fully equipped for serious off-roading.

The 2021 Lexus NX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Despite being less advanced than newer transmissions, this six-speed gearbox facilitated a 0-60 mph time of around seven seconds.

While active sound control in the F Sport variant was intended to enhance the engine’s note, critics found the artificial engine noise unimpressive. The Lexus NX offered standard FWD with optional AWD, allowing up to 50 percent of the torque to be transferred to the rear axle. The NX’s fuel economy was decent but not outstanding within its class, with the AWD variant achieving 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

With a 2,000-pound towing capacity, the NX wasn't designed for heavy-duty tasks. Its adaptive suspension system, derived from the LC 500 sport coupe, provided a comfortable and somewhat engaging driving experience, despite the steering's numbness.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4’s interior was designed for practicality, with a tall, upright roof that offered good headroom and outward visibility. While front seats in the TRD Off-Road model were comfortable, the rear seats were less so, featuring flat cushions that were unsuitable for long journeys. The rear seats did not slide fore and aft, unlike competitors such as the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue. The RAV4 provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, a figure that was above average but still behind leaders like the Honda CR-V. Practical storage features included large center-console bins and spaces for phones, albeit at the expense of more traditional storage areas.

Conversely, the 2021 Lexus NX boasted an upscale and comfortable interior with front seats that provided ample room for adults. The second-row seats accommodated two adults comfortably, and the NX offered heated and ventilated seats. However, the NX fell short on cargo space due to its design. It provided only 17.7 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, placing it among the smallest in its class. The NX featured a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats as optional equipment, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Amazon Alexa compatibility and SiriusXM satellite radio. Most trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim and RAV4 Prime could be equipped with 8-inch and 9-inch screens, respectively. The interface was simple and functional, with well-placed shortcut buttons, but lacked advanced features like a head-up display available only in the RAV4 Prime.

The 2021 Lexus NX housed its infotainment screen high above the center stack, with options for a standard 8-inch or an available 10.3-inch touchscreen through the Navigation package. The Lexus system included enhancements like HomeLink, predictive traffic information, and fuel station guidance. Lexus Enform Destination Assist acted as a personal in-car concierge. Though Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the native Lexus interface was less user-friendly, relying heavily on a touchpad for navigation.

Standard tech features continued with keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, USB ports, HD Radio, and a WiFi hot spot. The NX could also be outfitted with a moonroof, heated steering wheel, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system for top-tier models.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top scores in all crash tests and the highest rating for front-crash prevention technology. However, it missed the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating due to mixed headlight scores. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the RAV4 a five-star overall rating.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 was standard and included features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Additional safety options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and park assist.

The 2021 Lexus NX also earned accolades from safety organizations, with IIHS giving it top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for its front crash-prevention technology. The NHTSA awarded the NX a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert also became standard for 2021.

Lexus supplemented the NX with Lexus Enform Safety Connect, providing emergency assistance, automatic collision notification, and stolen vehicle notification. The NX came with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.