2021 Volvo XC60 vs 2021 Lexus NX

For 2021, the Volvo XC60 offered a refined and modern appearance, emphasizing Swedish design aesthetics. Though Volvo's ownership journey took it from Swedish roots to Ford's acquisition in 1999 and subsequently to Geely Holding Group in 2010, the transformation post-Geely has been impressive. The XC60, positioned between the compact XC40 and the mid-sized XC90, leveraged the company's SPA (Scalable Product Architecture) platform, which underpinned a variety of Volvo models including the S60, V60, XC90, S90, and V90.

Volvo's cohesive crossover design featured elegant, athletic lines with short overhangs, a proud upright grille, and distinctive LED headlights in the shape of Thor’s hammer—a nod to its Swedish heritage. The exterior was marked by superior paint quality, chrome accents, and stylish alloy wheels up to 21 inches in diameter. The interior of the XC60 exuded Scandinavian minimalist charm with high-quality materials and a serene cabin atmosphere. The 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen blended in seamlessly, and the HVAC controls combined ease of use with aesthetic appeal, showcasing Volvo's dedication to refined interior design.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX retained the bold, angular design characteristic of Lexus, which carried familiar styling cues from both the smaller UX and larger RX. Available in NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and the hybrid NX 300h trim levels, the NX featured sharp lines and a sculpted exterior. Standard features included power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The F Sport variant added an aggressive honeycomb grille, distinct bumpers, fog light housing, and sporty 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the NX's F Sport version boasted exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional bold color schemes like Circuit Red. Despite some dated elements—especially around the center stack—the interior fit and finish aligned with Lexus's reputation for quality. Lexus's typically quiet cabin provided a serene driving experience despite the sporty exhaust note piped in through its sound system.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 came with a robust selection of powertrains, all featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 models produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available in both FWD and AWD. The T6 variant upped the ante with a supercharger in addition to the turbocharger, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the T8 plug-in hybrid models combined an electric motor to bring the total output to 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. The top-of-the-line T8 Polestar Engineered further enhanced performance to 415 horsepower and maintained 472 pound-feet of torque.

During testing, the XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered impressed with its electrified powertrain, providing up to 19 miles of electric-only range and intelligent energy management. Its handling benefitted from AWD and torque vectoring, making it agile and composed. Fuel economy for the XC60 ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with a stellar 57 MPGe in electric mode. The XC60 proved to be a well-rounded vehicle with excellent road manners and a quiet, comfortable ride.

On the other hand, the 2021 Lexus NX employed a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine across its NX 300 and NX 300 F Sport models, which delivered 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While competent, this combination felt dated compared to newer multi-speed transmissions. The NX went from 0 to 60 mph in around seven seconds, which was average for the class. Though the powertrain could be noisy under hard acceleration, the ride remained quiet and composed under most conditions. The F Sport variant featured Active Sound Control to enhance the engine note electronically.

Fuel economy for the NX hovered around 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway for FWD models and 24 mpg combined for AWD variants. The adaptive suspension system, borrowed from the Lexus LC 500, provided up to 650 instantaneous adjustments, contributing to a smooth and stable ride, though steering feedback was largely lacking.

The Volvo XC60 was expertly crafted to assure comfort and style in a variety of conditions. Its seats were highly adjustable, particularly the front seats that provided support and warmth quickly, even during challenging winter weather. XC60 showcased a well-thought-out HVAC system and ample storage across both rows of seats. The XC60 excelled in cargo capacity, offering 21.6 cubic feet behind the second row and expanding to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Furthermore, it had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, making it both practical and versatile.

The 2021 Lexus NX provided a well-appointed interior that emphasized comfort, although it fell short in terms of cargo space. Front seats were spacious and the rear seats offered acceptable legroom for adults. However, its interior cargo space was limited to 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it one of the smaller options in its segment. The NX did offer convenient features like a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and available power-folding rear seats, enhancing its practicality despite its smaller cargo hold.

Volvo's Sensus infotainment system, centered around a 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, was polarizing yet innovatively practical for those accustomed to tablet-style interaction. Sensus divided the screen into functional quadrants and allowed seamless switching between functions such as audio, navigation, and vehicle controls. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot with a three-month trial. Volvo’s On Call app offered remote functionalities, and the available Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality.

In comparison, the Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The larger screen included conveniences like predictive traffic information and fuel station guidance. Lexus Enform supported connectivity functions like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, albeit with the Lexus infotainment system known for its complexity and reliance on a touchpad controller, which was less user-friendly. Standard tech offerings encompassed a Wi-Fi hotspot, dual-zone climate control, and keyless entry, with optional upgrades to the Mark Levinson audio system and a moonroof.

Volvo's commitment to safety was evidenced in the XC60, leading to high safety accolades including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and five-star ratings from the NHTSA for specific models. The XC60 came loaded with safety features such as LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, automated emergency braking, and various crash mitigation technologies. The optional Pilot Assist system provided semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping aid, capped by a 112 mph speed limit for enhanced safety.

Lexus equipped the NX with the comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite, standard across all models, which included lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, forward-collision warning, and other crucial safety features. The NX also received high safety scores, with top "Good" ratings from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Additional options included park assist and a surround-view camera system. Lexus Enform Safety Connect added another layer of security with services like automatic collision notification and stolen-vehicle notification.