The 2021 Lexus UX taps design verve to hawk its cozy interior space and its middling performance.
Pros Good looks outside Inside, too Frugal UX Hybrid Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, gratis
Cons Drivetrain can drone Short on acceleration Gets pricey for its size Cramped rear seat
For 2021 Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now standard.
Pros High fuel economy Lots of standard and optional safety tech Maneuverable around town thanks to small dimensions
Cons Infotainment interface can be difficult to use Limited rear legroom Cargo area has a high liftover height All-wheel drive is only available on the UX 250h hybrid
The 2021 Lexus UX's #6 ranking is based on its score within the Luxury Subcompact SUVs category. Currently the Lexus UX has a score of 7.2 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 26 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Refined ride quality and handling Great fuel economy High predicted reliability rating
Cons Distracting infotainment controls Tepid acceleration Relatively small cargo area
The VW faces an uphill struggle against brand laden rivals, but is actually just as good.
Pros Sophisticated and high-tech interior plus engines for all situations in the pipeline
Cons Same-price rivals wear more premium badges
Pros Good value in lower trim levels Spacious inside for up to five people Excellent towing capabilities
Cons Cheap-feeling interior plastics Fussy infotainment system No seven-seat option
The 2020 Volkswagen Touareg V8 TDI is expensive, but it also has a very special diesel V-8 under the hood.
Pros Fast enough for the autobahn, diesel efficiency, premium-brand levels of luxury and refinement.
Cons Garish chrome grille; an Alcantara headliner would be nice; we'd love to have it here, but it's premium-brand money.
