Lexus NX Hybrid vs Lexus UX Hybrid

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid, positioned between the UX and RX crossovers, showcased a blend of sharp edges and a streamlined profile, giving it a distinctive yet familiar look. Despite its sporty appearance, the NX's design had not evolved significantly over the years, maintaining a consistent aesthetic. The F Sport Black Line variant featured a larger mesh grille, dark-finish 18-inch wheels, and a striking Grecian Water blue paint, which contrasted nicely with the darker trim elements. Inside, the NX's design, once radical, had become familiar due to its longevity and the use of similar designs in other Lexus models. The interior featured a stepped center console and lacked traditional luxury elements like wood trim. The F Sport model included a heated steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and NuLuxe upholstery with blue contrast stitching, but the material quality leaned more towards mainstream than luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus UX Hybrid, introduced in 2019, was one of the newer additions to the Lexus lineup. Despite its recent debut, it had some shortcomings typical of first-generation luxury subcompact SUVs. The UX shared its platform with the Toyota C-HR and Corolla Cross, but it lagged in cargo space. The UX's design included the signature spindle grille and a compact hatchback-like rear, with pronounced fender flares. Inside, the UX boasted a refined interior with solid build quality and soft-touch materials. However, the standard infotainment system, controlled via a remote touchpad, was awkward to use. The UX Hybrid came in several trims, each offering a range of features, from standard all-wheel drive to unique styling elements in the F Sport model. Despite its sporty appearance, the UX's performance did not match its looks, focusing more on comfort and fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a total system output of 194 horsepower. It came standard with all-wheel drive, but its performance was more about efficiency than excitement. The NX Hybrid accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 9.1 seconds, with a top speed of 112 mph. The F Sport styling added a sporty look, but the drivetrain struggled with quick acceleration, and the transition between electric and gasoline power was clunky. The sport-tuned suspension in the Black Line package improved handling, making the NX agile in corners while maintaining a comfortable ride. However, the steering was numb, and the NX felt less refined than newer models based on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform. Drive modes like Normal, Eco, and Sport offered minimal differences, with Eco mode further dulling acceleration.

The 2021 Lexus UX Hybrid was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing 181 combined horsepower. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a manual tap-shift function and 10 simulated gears routed power to all four wheels. The UX Hybrid offered Sport, Normal, and Eco drive modes, with Sport mode altering the instrument panel layout. While the UX had decent pickup around town, it struggled to accelerate at higher speeds, making it more suited for urban environments. Despite its lack of power, the UX provided a pleasant driving experience, absorbing road bumps and maintaining composure through corners. Its focus on fuel efficiency was evident, though it lacked the performance to match its sporty appearance.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid had limited interior space, with the least front headroom in its segment and rear headroom near the bottom. Front-seat legroom was generous, but rear legroom was the worst among its competitors. The front seats offered excellent support, thanks to extra bolstering in the Black Line-specific seats, and standard 10-way power adjustment. The sloping roofline and thick rear pillars hindered rear visibility, though large exterior mirrors helped. The NX aimed for a sportier feel with a high dashboard and door sides, making controls easy to reach. Cargo space was limited, with 16.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded. A power-folding second row and power liftgate were available but not standard.

The 2021 Lexus UX Hybrid offered limited cargo space, with 17.1 cubic feet above the rear deck and 21.7 cubic feet below. Compared to rivals like the BMW X1 and X2, the UX fell short in cargo capacity. Rear-seat space was minimal, especially with the front seats occupied by taller passengers. The front seats were more comfortable, with ample legroom and average headroom. However, the steering wheel's limited telescoping range made it challenging for taller drivers to find a comfortable position. Once settled, the seats provided comfort even on long trips.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, featuring an 8-inch display screen (optional 10.3-inch) with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The lack of a touchscreen and reliance on the awkward Remote Touch Interface touchpad made it difficult to use while driving. Analog controls for climate and audio were a welcome addition, and drivers could bypass the native system using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The graphics and menus felt dated, and the base eight-speaker audio system was underwhelming, lacking the quality expected from a luxury brand.

The 2021 Lexus UX Hybrid also used the Lexus Remote Touch infotainment system, operated via a touchpad in the center console. While logical, the system had a steep learning curve, and using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the touchpad was frustrating. The UX needed an update to the newer touchscreen system found in the Lexus IS sedan. On the positive side, the Lexus premium stereo system delivered excellent sound quality, enhanced by the UX's quiet cabin.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 bundle, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were newly standard for 2021. The only notable omission was a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Lexus UX Hybrid came well-equipped with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. New for 2021 were blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included LED adaptive headlights, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, a head-up display, and front-and-rear parking sensors.