2021 Chevrolet Tahoe vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered six distinct versions, each with unique styling cues. The base LS and popular LT trims featured different grille patterns, while the sporty RST had a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Z71 combined the LS grille with a blacked-out look, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Premier trim borrowed the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents, and the luxurious High Country boasted a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. Standard LED headlights and expressive taillights added to the Tahoe’s bold look. Prices ranged from $49,000 for the LS to $72,600 for the High Country, with our tested Z71 model priced at $76,225.

Inside, the Tahoe featured a larger 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls. The LS trim included cloth seats, while leather became standard from the LT trim upwards. The Premier trim added perforated leather, and the High Country offered textured leather options. The Z71 trim we tested had exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces in the upper cabin, with hard plastic covering the lower half. The new independent rear suspension improved passenger comfort and cargo space, making the Tahoe a more practical choice for families.

The 2021 Lexus NX retained its sharp design lines, similar to the smaller UX and larger RX models. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models featured power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels as standard. The F Sport trim added a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the F Sport models had quilted NuLuxe sport seats with optional Circuit Red interior color schemes. The gauge cluster featured a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup with a 4.2-inch multi-information display, though it looked dated compared to newer models.

The NX’s turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The F Sport variant included Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note electronically. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The NX offered three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport, influencing throttle response and power-steering assist. The NX 300 had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed of 124 mph. Fuel economy was decent, with the FWD model achieving 25 mpg combined and the AWD model 24 mpg combined.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came with three engine options. The standard 5.3-liter V8, available in all trims except the High Country, produced 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel engine, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The Tahoe’s 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with four-wheel drive optional on most trims and standard on the Z71. The Tahoe could tow up to 8,400 pounds and handle a payload of 1,834 pounds.

The major engineering change for the 2021 Tahoe was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality and interior comfort. The Z71 trim we tested featured adaptive dampers and an Air Ride suspension, enhancing ride quality over various terrains. The 5.3-liter V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission provided ample power and a satisfying V8 rumble. The Tahoe’s handling was commendable, with the adaptive and air-ride suspension upgrades controlling body roll and excessive motion. The Z71’s all-terrain tires, however, affected cornering on pavement.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but less smooth compared to newer multi-speed transmissions. The NX accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with the powertrain getting noisy under hard acceleration. The F Sport trim included Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note electronically. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims.

The NX’s fuel economy was decent, with the FWD model achieving 25 mpg combined and the AWD model 24 mpg combined. The NX offered an adaptive-suspension system, making up to 650 instantaneous compression and damping adjustments. The F Sport variant provided a smooth, comfortable, and relatively engaging driving experience, though the steering was numb. The NX had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe’s new independent rear suspension improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel. The power sliding storage console was highly recommended, providing a large storage tray and a locking drawer. The second-row offered a 3-person bench seat or individual captain’s chairs, with the latter option proving comfortable. The third-row seat was easily accessible and provided ample room for adults. The Tahoe offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, 72.6 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet.

The 2021 Lexus NX’s upscale interior was comfortable, with plenty of room for adults in the front seats and good legroom in the second row. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the NX offered a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The NX’s cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second-row seats and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The NX featured a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats as options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice recognition, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The system was easy to use, though the main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to access. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was fast. The test vehicle included a wireless charging pad and a mid-grade 9-speaker Bose audio system. The Rear Seat Media system offered impressive versatility, though we did not test its full capabilities. The test vehicle lacked the available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The system added HomeLink and Lexus Enform Destination Assist for 2021. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with the latter including Google Assistant. The Lexus infotainment system was less user-friendly, relying on a touchpad. Other standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hot spot. The NX offered a moonroof, heated steering wheel, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system as options.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features such as Teen Driver, rear-seat reminder, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims or options added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert Seat, and an upgraded blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Lexus NX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights as options. The NX received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, a "Superior" rating for front crash-prevention technology, and an "Acceptable" score for LATCH system ease of use. NHTSA gave the NX a five-star overall safety rating.