2019 Acura RDX vs 2019 Honda CR-V

In 2019, Acura made a striking impression with the redesigned RDX, blending modern aesthetics and refined touches. The RDX took inspiration from the larger MDX, evident from its angular headlights flanking a broad and assertive grille—a refreshing departure from the awkward “beak” design of previous years. The vehicle showcased a more upright layout, promising additional cabin space and a sharp, modern look. Particularly with the A-Spec trim, the RDX boasted dark side accents reminiscent of the Porsche Macan, highlighting Acura's ambition to align with high-end visuals. Inside, the RDX offered an environment of luxurious details. Soft-touch surfaces, unique stitching on the seats interspersed with suede inserts, and a dash panel embellished with suede exuded elegance. The brushed aluminum interior accents, although a bit glaring under sunlight, contributed to a premium feel, drawing attention to the new center console featuring the True Touchpad infotainment system and Acura’s novel shifter design. Standard features were robust, encompassing 19-inch alloy wheels, “Jewel Eye” LED headlights, LED fog and taillights, a power liftgate, and a panoramic moonroof. Functionality was enhanced with power heated side mirrors that tilted in reverse, leather upholstery, heated front seats with 12-way power adjustment, dual-zone climate control, and a vivid 10.2-inch HD monitor loaded with Apple CarPlay, but notably, no Android Auto. The CR-V, meanwhile, was available in four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring, with prices varying from $24,350 to $34,150. While the base LX wasn't necessarily basic with its 17-inch aluminum wheels, the higher trims came with body-color elements, larger 18-inch wheels, and rear privacy glass, enhancing its upscale appeal. Despite its back having an upscale look, the CR-V’s front design left something to be desired with its “Robot Horseshoe Crab” aesthetics. Inside, the CR-V embodied quality, albeit with an abundance of hard plastics that fortunately didn't feel cheap. It boasted a 2-tone tan-over-black interior treatment and well-organized controls that amplified the sense of value. Despite lacking a height-adjustable front passenger seat, the driver's seat, especially in trims above the LX, came with a 12-way power adjustable and heated setup.

The 2019 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available with front-wheel drive or Acura’s “Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive” (SH-AWD), this system could distribute torque effectively, ensuring a balanced and agile ride. SH-AWD was particularly notable for its torque-vectoring capabilities, enhancing the RDX’s performance in both snowy and dry conditions. The RDX’s Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to toggle between various driving modes like Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport+, adjusting throttle response, shift mapping, and steering feel accordingly. Fuel economy for the FWD variant stood at 22 mpg city, 28 highway, while the AWD option delivered slightly less, at 21/27. Conversely, the Honda CR-V offered two engine options depending on the trim. The base LX had a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 184 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The EX, EX-L, and Touring trims were equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, yielding 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Though both engine options provided comparable horsepower and torque, the latter’s performance was more responsive and efficient. However, issues in cold weather with the turbocharged engines led to Honda addressing fuel and oil mixing problems through corrective maintenance. In terms of fuel economy, the CR-V’s turbocharged engine fell slightly short of EPA expectations, averaging 27.7 mpg in tests.

Cargo space was a key consideration that set the Acura RDX and Honda CR-V apart. The RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats, which could be expanded to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. While this was a slight reduction in expanded capacity from the previous year, it still compared favorably to rivals like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, and exceeded the Lexus NX in overall cargo space. Inside, the RDX provided ample head- and legroom in both front and rear seats, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. Storage solutions were plentiful, with various trays and cubbies, including a novel floating center stack with additional storage beneath it and multiple power and USB ports. In contrast, the CR-V excelled in cargo capacity, offering 39.2 cubic feet behind the back seats and an impressive 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This expansive space made the CR-V particularly family-friendly, capable of accommodating larger items with ease. Passenger comfort was high, with plenty of backseat space and convenient features such as air vents and USB ports. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat was a notable shortcoming.

The Acura RDX featured the new True Touchpad infotainment system in every trim, a significant departure from the outdated 2-screen setup of its predecessor. While the high-definition screen and visually sharp icons promised a seamless user experience, the touchpad’s operation was complex and required a steep learning curve—an inconvenience for many users. Simple tasks like changing radio stations involved multiple steps, contrasting starkly with more intuitive systems like BMW’s iDrive. Although Apple CarPlay integration was smooth, the overall system needed refinement to enhance user-friendliness. In contrast, the Honda CR-V’s technology package was robust, especially from the EX trim upwards, which included a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and SMS text messaging capability. Navigation and a premium sound system were standard in higher trims like the Touring. However, the infotainment system was not without its issues; the lack of a tuning knob and small screen size hindered user experience. Voice recognition required specific prompts and was often inaccurate, making it a distraction rather than a convenience. Therefore, a mid-life refresh with enhancements in the infotainment system would have been welcomed.

The 2019 Acura RDX was well-equipped with standard safety features, including a reversing camera, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, and extensive airbags. The AcuraWatch suite added advanced driver-assistance systems like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims like the Technology Package introduced front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, while the Advance Package offered additional features like a head-up warning system. Similarly, the Honda CR-V included Honda Sensing, its suite of safety technologies, in all trims except the LX. This suite encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a road-departure mitigation system. Higher trims also included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Despite the effectiveness of these systems, they lacked the refinement seen in competitors. Nonetheless, the CR-V was recognized for its safety with a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS.