2019 Acura RDX vs 2020 Honda Pilot

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" grille. The RDX's upright layout and rear end design aimed to increase cabin space, presenting a modern and sharp aesthetic. Inside, the RDX boasted soft-touch surfaces, unique stitching on the seats, 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. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a power liftgate, and a panoramic moonroof, among others.

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling of the current Honda lineup, with thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. The subtle uptick in the belt-line around the rear side windows masked the Pilot's size, giving it a more svelte appearance. Inside, the Pilot featured a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog and digital elements. While the cabin was comfortable and spacious, it used hard plastics in many areas, making it less upscale compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Trim levels ranged from LX to the range-topping Black Edition, with each level adding more features and amenities, such as leather upholstery, power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof.

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 power was sent through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. SH-AWD could divert up to 70 percent of torque to the rear wheels, with 100 percent of that torque going to either rear wheel independently. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) allowed drivers to toggle between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting throttle response, shift mapping, steering feel, and traction control. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive RDX was 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AWD version returned 21/27/23. In a week of combined driving, the observed fuel economy was 22.3 mpg.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to the front wheels or available all-wheel drive through either a 6-speed automatic transmission (on LX, EX, and EX-L trims) or a 9-speed automatic (on Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims). The 9-speed transmission provided more refined acceleration and better fuel economy. The Pilot's ride was tuned for comfort, making it ideal for commutes and road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes, adjusting drivetrain and traction control settings for various conditions.

The 2019 Acura RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, an increase of 3 cubic feet from the previous model. 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 second rows. The floating center stack design provided additional storage space, and the center console featured a cupholder tray with a brushed metal cover. All four doors had room for multiple water bottles, and the rear seat included a center armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Honda Pilot provided a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher offered one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot provided 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to rivals like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. The Pilot had plenty of storage spaces for family use, and higher trims included a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with the True Touchpad infotainment system, replacing the previous 2-screen system. The high-definition screen was sharp and easy to read, but the touchpad 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 Honda Pilot's LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen with a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo. All other trims had the Display Audio 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system lacked a tuning knob, making radio interaction reliant on the touchscreen, which had a confusing layout. Higher trims included HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Cabin Control Remote Capability, allowing back seat passengers to control the stereo via a smartphone app. The Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims featured a 590-watt, 10-speaker premium audio system and mobile hotspot capability.

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. The AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance systems included forward-collision warning, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, road-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance trim included a head-up warning system.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Standard safety features also included front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, and traction control. Optional safety equipment included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and the best crash test score of Good from the IIHS. It also received a Superior rating in IIHS crash prevention technology evaluation.