2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding character while retaining recognizable Volvo elements. Unlike Lexus, which opted for a radical styling revamp, Volvo kept traditional features like a boxy profile and a blunt front end with a rectangular grille. The XC90's softer lines, increased chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights added a modern touch. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other Volvo models, ensuring a cohesive design language across the brand.

Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials. The matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery provided a natural and unique feel. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a high-end touch, though it seemed out of place in the otherwise restrained interior. The XC90's interior design focused on simplicity and functionality, avoiding the overwhelming flash seen in some other luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Lexus NX carried over its familial design and styling attributes, featuring sharp design lines that gave it a familiar appearance akin to the smaller Lexus UX and larger Lexus RX. Standard features included power-folding outside mirrors and 17-inch wheels. The NX F Sport variant added sportier elements like a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. The F Sport models also offered exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and a Circuit Red interior color scheme, enhancing the sporty feel.

The NX's interior boasted excellent material fit and finish, with a gauge cluster familiar to Lexus drivers. However, the design felt outdated compared to newer competitors. The F Sport models included a G-Force meter, a nod to the Lexus LFA supercar, though it seemed more gimmicky than practical. The center stack's design, featuring an elevated climate-control button surface and a rare CD player, appeared odd but functional. The lack of open small-item storage between the driver and passenger was a drawback, though the overall interior comfort and quality were commendable.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8.

Despite the impressive 400 hp, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide the flexibility of larger engines found in competitors. The XC90 Recharge's electric power was limited, often requiring the gasoline engine to assist even at low speeds. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds with gentle acceleration. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to the optional air-suspension system, and provided a quiet cabin. Most XC90 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were 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. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, a competitive time for the segment. The powertrain could get noisy under hard acceleration, but the ride was generally quiet. The F Sport models featured Active Sound Control, enhancing the engine note electronically through the car's speakers.

Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The NX's AWD system could transfer up to 50 percent of torque to the rear axle but lacked individual-wheel torque vectoring. Fuel economy for the FWD model was 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the AWD model had similar city/highway numbers but a combined rating of 24 mpg. The NX F Sport AWD also achieved 24 mpg combined. The NX had a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a top speed electronically limited to 124 mph. The available adaptive-suspension system, based on the LC 500 sport coupe, provided a smooth and comfortable driving experience, though the steering lacked feedback.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel. The XC90 offered standard four-zone climate control with an optional filtration system. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, though a power-adjustable steering wheel was not available. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin and few storage options on the console.

Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was near the bottom of the segment, with 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The hands-free power tailgate was a useful feature.

The 2021 Lexus NX offered a comfortable and upscale interior, with front seats providing ample room for adults and the second-row seats accommodating two adults comfortably. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the NX featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Engine noise, both genuine and simulated, could be heard in the cabin, but road and wind noise were minimal. 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, making it one of the smallest in its class. A power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were available options.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. The XC90 came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. Optional features included a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display (HUD). The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, allowing for easy navigation through menus. However, the amount of text and typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available as part of the Navigation package. The Navigation package also included predictive traffic information, detour preview, ETA calculation, and fuel station guidance. New for 2021, the infotainment system added HomeLink to the Navigation package, enabling Lexus Enform Destination Assist, an in-car personal concierge. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with the latter integrating Google Assistant. The Lexus infotainment system was less user-friendly, relying on a touchpad and burying functions deep in menus. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. Optional features included a moonroof, heated steering wheel, and a Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system. The Lexus Enform Remote mobile app allowed users to control various functions remotely, and Lexus Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts and notifications.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models. It earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle testing, with an “Advanced” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. Headlights and LATCH child-seat anchors received “Acceptable” ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover testing. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included 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. All 2021 Lexus models featured Lexus Enform Safety Connect, which included an emergency-assistance button, roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, and stolen-vehicle notification. The IIHS gave the Lexus NX top "Good" scores in all crash tests, a "Superior" rating for front crash-prevention technology, and an "Acceptable" score for the LATCH system's ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus backed the NX with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.