2021 Honda HR-V vs 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a blend of sharp edges and a streamlined profile, fitting snugly between the Lexus UX and RX models. Its design, while not traditionally SUV-like, maintained a familiar Lexus aesthetic. Despite its luxury branding, the NX shared its platform with the older Toyota RAV4, making it feel somewhat dated in engineering. The F Sport Black Line variant added a sporty touch with a larger mesh grille, dark-finish 18-inch wheels, and a striking Grecian Water blue paint, contrasting nicely with its dark trim elements. Inside, the NX's design, once radical, had become familiar, with a stepped center console and a lack of traditional luxury materials like wood trim. The F Sport package added sporty elements like aluminum pedals and NuLuxe upholstery, but the overall material quality felt more mainstream than luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V offered a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs. Its distinctive styling included converging window lines near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trims featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport model boasting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit. Higher trims like the EX and EX-L offered features such as push-button start, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery. The HR-V's design was solid and practical, though not luxurious, providing a straightforward and user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a total of 194 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty F Sport styling, the NX Hybrid was not a performance vehicle, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph. The hybrid system prioritized fuel efficiency over excitement, with a clunky transition between electric and gasoline power. The sport-tuned suspension improved handling, offering agility and comfort, but the steering felt numb, and the overall driving experience lagged behind newer models. Drive modes like Normal, Eco, and Sport offered minimal impact on performance.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower, paired with a CVT. While AWD was available, FWD was standard. The HR-V felt underpowered for highway driving, with the CVT compounding the issue. Competitors offered more powerful engines, but the HR-V's chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda's reputation for fun cars. The ride quality was decent, but the HR-V's AWD system was limited to slippery roads, and it lacked towing capability.

The Lexus NX Hybrid had limited front and rear headroom, with the worst rear legroom in its segment. The front seats were comfortable, with standard 10-way power adjustment and optional heated and ventilated seats. The sloping roofline and thick rear pillars hindered visibility, though large mirrors helped. The NX offered 16.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 53.7 cubic feet with them folded, less than its gasoline counterpart. A power-folding second row and power liftgate were available but not standard.

The Honda HR-V excelled in cargo space, thanks to its "Magic Seat" rear bench, offering 58.8 cubic feet with seats folded and 24.3 cubic feet with them up. It led the segment in rear-seat legroom, though front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior lacked clever storage solutions but featured sensible controls, including large knobs for climate control. The narrow center console was dominated by a large shift lever, and a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position easy.

The Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, with an 8-inch display (optional 10.3-inch) and Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The awkward Remote Touch Interface touchpad made it difficult to use while driving. Analog controls were available for climate and audio, but the system felt dated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s. The base audio system was tinny, with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system available on higher trims.

The Honda HR-V's base LX trim offered a 5-inch display and four-speaker audio, with the Sport trim and above featuring a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with USB ports conveniently located. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small, and competitors offered more standard features.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were newly standard, though a 360-degree camera system was missing.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Honda Sensing safety features were standard on EX and EX-L trims, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. LaneWatch provided a camera view for blind-spot monitoring, and higher trims upgraded the rearview camera with dynamic gridlines.