2021 Lexus NX

Pricing for the 2021 Lexus NX is competitive when you look at other offerings from brands such as Acura and BMW. The base price for a new NX starts at $37,610 MSRP and increases to $39,70 for the F Sport. The top-tier Luxury is a bit pricier at $44,060. Swapping out the FWD for the AWD setup on any of these trims adds $1,400 to the bill. The Hybrid range starts at $40,160 and goes up to $46,610 for the Luxury AWD model. The NX 300h F Sport AWD Black Line Special Edition will cost you $46,910. The Lexus NX price will exceed $50,000 when it is fully loaded with options. These prices all exclude a destination charge in the US of $1,025.

It's all about luxury here. The Lexus NX is a refined machine that is well insulated from the outside world, giving it a genuinely polished feel on the road. As with competitors such as the BMW X3 and Acura RDX, the suspension setup strikes a balance between sedan-like sportiness and comfort, with the latter taking preference. Over rough road surfaces, the NX does a fair job of soaking up bumps, but there's still an element of regular sedan stiffness in there. The NX carries itself with dignity around the bends, but body roll is unavoidable, and the car will eventually push into understeer despite a good initial turn-in response. The F Sport model gets a tuned sport suspension, but even in this configuration, the NX feels more like a luxury cruiser than a Urus ripoff. The AWD version can be taken off-road, thanks to a lockable center differential, but don't get too carried away. The low ground clearance will see you end up like a beached whale on even the mildest breakovers.

Lexus has been a big player in the luxury SUV game for a long time and knows how to throw a good product together. Despite showing its age in some respects, the NX remains a competitive offering in a part of the market that is only getting more competitive with the passing years. The NX is a stylish vehicle that looks good from the outside and offers a generous amount of luxury features, even in base form. Under the hood, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-pot does a fine job of moving the NX around, and while rivals such as the BMW X3 are quicker, there's still enough power to get the job done. On the road, the NX is a capable cruiser, and most will find it extremely comfortable to pilot around daily. The interior is elegant and functional, and quality materials are used throughout; we only wished that the infotainment touchpad controller was a bit more intuitive. Interior space is good, but headroom can get tight in the rear, and unfortunately, the cargo space on offer is extremely disappointing. The NX's final unique selling point is the fact that it is one of the safest cars in its class, thanks to an IIHS Top Safety Pick + award. It's definitely a purchase you're unlikely to regret.

The beauty of buying a 2021 Lexus NX is the fact that no matter what trim level you go for, you're basically guaranteed a luxurious and refined time. The base model is a bargain, and with a few added packages, can be turned into an absolute luxury steal. The F Sport might be on the superficial side, but it is available in that striking blue paint that we love so much. For the true ballers out there, only the Luxury will do. There's something for everyone here, but we would recommend going for the base model and adding a few select options to bring it up to your requirements. Depending on how much emphasis you put on aspects like value, appearance, and luxury, there is an NX to suit you.

The RX slots in above the NX in Lexus' range of luxury SUVs and competes in the midsize crossover segment. This bigger and more expensive SUV gets powered by a bigger, more powerful engine in the form of a naturally-aspirated V6 that produces 295 hp and 268 lb-ft, which it sends to either the front or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. These cars share a similar exterior design, but the difference in size is notable from the outside. On the road, the RX is naturally less nimble but still offers an excellent ride and silky smooth V6 performance. Inside, the same quality presides over the cabin, and feature levels are impressive. There's more passenger space as well, but its cargo space behind the second row is surprisingly even worse than the NX. These two cars feel similar in spirit, but the NX is the nimbler car and cheaper as well. If you need the extra passenger space, go for the RX, otherwise, we'd stick with the smaller but more charismatic NX.

The Acura RDX is one of the NX's closest rivals in terms of pricing and performance. This Japanese luxury SUV follows the same principles as the NX: edgy styling, a comfortable driving style, and small-capacity turbo power. Under the hood of the RDX, you'll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with healthy specs of 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front or all four wheels via a ten-speed automatic transmission. The RDX feels quicker in every gear and will outsprint the NX to 60 mph. It's also more fun to drive but is just as comfortable. The interior of the RDX offers more front legroom, superior rear legroom and dominates in terms of trunk and cargo space. The interior design is more contemporary but we prefer the classy look of the Lexus, although the RDX does come with a lot of standard features. The RDX will appeal to the young at heart, while the Lexus will draw those looking for a more restrained and classy experience.