2019 Acura RDX vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

The 2019 Acura RDX showcased a bold new exterior design, drawing inspiration from its larger sibling, the Acura MDX. The front end featured angular headlights flanking a broad, assertive grille, a significant improvement from the previous "shield" or "beak" grille. The RDX's more upright layout and rear end design aimed to increase cabin space, presenting a modern and sharp aesthetic. The A-Spec trim added dark accents, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the RDX boasted soft-touch surfaces, unique stitching, and brushed aluminum accents, although the latter could be blinding in direct sunlight. The redesigned center console featured Acura’s unique shifter design and the new True Touchpad infotainment system.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4, particularly in Premium Luxury trim, offered a visually appealing design with crisp, tailored styling and 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior was pleasant, with competitive quality materials, although some elements, like the plain black trim around the power window controls, felt out of place in a luxury vehicle. The XT4's cabin was spacious, with comfortable front seats featuring heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The rear passenger compartment provided ample legroom, though the seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was notably effective, quickly cooling the interior even during a heatwave. Storage space was abundant, with innovative features like umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger.

The 2019 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. SH-AWD could divert 70% of torque to the rear wheels, with 100% of that torque going to either rear wheel independently. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) allowed drivers to switch between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting throttle response, shift mapping, steering feel, and traction control. The RDX's fuel economy was 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined for the FWD version, and 21/27/23 for the AWD version. In a week of combined driving, it returned 22.3 mpg.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front or all four wheels. The FWD XT4 had an EPA rating of 26 mpg, with our test vehicle returning 24.8 mpg. The XT4's driving character was lively, thanks to its fat band of torque, but the FWD version experienced front-wheel slip and torque steer. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts but was hesitant to downshift in Tour mode, a problem that persisted, though less frequently, in Sport mode. The XT4's ride and handling were mixed, with good steering effort in Tour mode but an artificially heavy sensation in Sport mode. The standard suspension struggled with speed humps and smaller bumps, while the oversized wheels offered impressive grip and minimal body roll.

The 2019 Acura RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, increasing by 3 cubic feet from the previous year. With the 60/40 split-fold rear seats down, cargo capacity was 58.9 cubic feet. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample head- and legroom in both the front and rear rows. The RDX featured numerous storage options, including a tray below the floating center stack, a conventional center console, and door pockets with room for multiple water bottles. The rear seat had a center armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 provided 22.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The interior was comfortable, with soft leather, padded armrests, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. The rear passenger compartment offered generous legroom, though the seat cushion lacked support. The XT4's air conditioning system was highly effective, quickly cooling the interior. The climate controls were elegantly arranged, and the cabin offered ample storage space, including umbrella holders and an angled wireless smartphone charger.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with the True Touchpad infotainment system, featuring a high-definition screen with sharp, easy-to-read icons. The touchpad directly correlated to the screen, but the system had a steep learning curve. Simple tasks like changing the radio station required multiple steps, and saving presets was cumbersome. Apple CarPlay integration was available, but navigating within CarPlay was also challenging.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 featured the latest version of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system, which was much improved from previous iterations. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Cadillac Connected Access services, and near-field communication pairing to Bluetooth. The 8-inch display was a touchscreen, and there were intuitive controls on the center console and steering wheel, as well as a voice-recognition system. However, the screen could be larger, and integrating the climate system into the voice-recognition system would be beneficial. The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with a reversing camera, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, and a full array of front and side impact airbags. It also included the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance systems, featuring forward-collision warning, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, a road-departure warning system, and lane-keeping assist. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Advance trim included a head-up warning system.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 added forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system to its standard equipment list. It also included a rear-seat reminder, Teen Driver parental report card technology, and two free years of automatic collision notification and emergency assistance service. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning systems. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator. The Driver Assist Package offered adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking. The XT4 received a 5-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).