2021 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Ford Explorer showcased a design that was part of Ford's consistent SUV lineup, featuring a sporty exterior with raked belt lines and distinctive visages. The Explorer's six trim levels, ranging from the base model to the luxurious Platinum, offered varying degrees of exterior and interior enhancements. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with a clean dashboard and an 8-inch LCD touchscreen dominating the center stack. The XLT trim, the most popular among buyers, added features like a power front passenger seat and nicer finishes, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and more advanced amenities.

The 2021 Lexus NX, available in NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and NX 300h hybrid versions, carried Lexus's familial design with sharp lines and a sculpted exterior. The F Sport variant added sporty elements like a honeycomb grille and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the NX featured high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish, with quilted NuLuxe sport seats exclusive to the F Sport model. The gauge cluster, though functional, appeared dated compared to newer competitors. The center stack's design was also somewhat outdated, but the overall interior remained comfortable and luxurious.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, weighing 4,345 pounds at its lightest, offered a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering up to 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque in the sport-oriented ST variant. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it a capable choice for towing needs. The 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability was standard across all trims.

The 2021 Lexus NX, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission, while adequate, lagged behind competitors with more advanced transmissions. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with the F Sport variant featuring Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note. The NX's AWD system allowed up to 50 percent of torque to be transferred to the rear axle. Fuel economy for the NX ranged from 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway for FWD models to 24 mpg combined for AWD models. The NX's towing capacity was 2,000 pounds, with a top speed electronically limited to 124 mph.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain’s chairs in the second row reducing capacity to six in higher trims. Second-row passengers enjoyed 39 inches of legroom, while the third row was less spacious. The Explorer provided 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed and 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it competitive with smaller SUVs.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured a well-styled and comfortable interior, with ample room for front and second-row passengers. The NX offered a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, but its cargo space was limited to 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The NX's upscale interior included available heated and ventilated seats, a power liftgate with kick sensor technology, and power-folding rear seats.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers. Charging options included two USB ports and five 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2021 Lexus NX's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The system added HomeLink and Lexus Enform Destination Assist for 2021. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Premium Audio system was standard, with a Mark Levinson 14-speaker system available on top trims. The NX also supported the Lexus Enform Remote mobile app and Lexus Enform Services Connect.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's standard Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard 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 also standard. Optional safety features included park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests, a "Superior" rating for front crash-prevention technology, and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.