2019 Acura RDX vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2019 Acura RDX showcased a bold new exterior design, drawing inspiration from its larger sibling, the Acura MDX. Its front end featured angular headlights and a broad grille, a significant improvement from the previous awkward design. The RDX's upright layout promised more cabin space, and the A-Spec trim added dark accents reminiscent of the Porsche Macan. Inside, the RDX boasted soft-touch surfaces, unique stitching, and brushed aluminum accents, though the latter could be blinding in direct sunlight. The redesigned center console housed Acura’s unique shifter and the new True Touchpad infotainment system. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a power liftgate, and a panoramic moonroof, with additional luxury and tech options available in higher trims.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, like the Grand Cherokee, was a stylish SUV available in four core trims: Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk. It offered various packages and special editions, with prices starting at $22,280 for the base model. The Compass Limited AWD test vehicle was equipped with numerous options, including a panoramic sunroof and premium sound system, totaling $39,755. Despite its high price, the Compass often came with discounts and offered appealing upgrades uncommon in small SUVs. However, it was marred by cost-cutting measures, such as low-quality materials, which detracted from its overall appeal. Nevertheless, the Compass was a significant improvement over its predecessor.

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. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The SH-AWD system could divert up to 70% of torque to the rear wheels, enhancing performance in various conditions. The RDX's Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting throttle response, shift mapping, and steering feel. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive model was 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AWD version achieved 21/27/23 mpg.

The 2020 Jeep Compass was equipped with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, known as the Tigershark, delivering 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Despite its name, the engine was loud, slow, and fuel-inefficient, with the test vehicle averaging 23.1 mpg, below the EPA rating of 25 mpg combined. The nine-speed automatic transmission often shifted harshly, and the automatic stop/start system affected air conditioning performance. The Compass's suspension controlled body roll but allowed too much vertical motion, and the steering was heavy and vague. However, the Compass excelled off-road, especially in Trailhawk trim, with features like an Active Drive Low AWD system and Rock driving mode.

The 2019 Acura RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, increasing by 3 cubic feet from the previous model. With the rear seats folded, cargo capacity was 58.9 cubic feet. The RDX's interior was spacious, with ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The floating center stack design provided additional storage, and the cabin featured numerous trays and cubbies for everyday items.

The 2020 Jeep Compass, with the Luxury Seat Group, offered premium leather, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. The back seat was roomy, with air conditioning vents, a USB port, and a power outlet for rear passengers. Cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, the optional spare tire and subwoofer reduced luggage space. Interior storage was limited, with awkwardly positioned cupholders.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with the True Touchpad infotainment system, featuring a high-definition screen and sharp icons. However, the system had a steep learning curve, requiring multiple steps for simple tasks like changing radio stations. Apple CarPlay was available, but Android Auto was not.

The 2020 Jeep Compass offered the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE WiFi. The system was intuitive, with appealing graphics, though some features were buried in menus. Voice recognition worked well for most commands, and primary controls were separate from the display.

The 2019 Acura RDX included a reversing camera, tire pressure monitoring, traction control, and a full array of airbags. The AcuraWatch suite offered forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Technology Package added parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, while the Advance trim included a head-up warning system.

The 2020 Jeep Compass extended its safety features to the base Sport trim, with options for adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The systems performed adequately, though adaptive cruise control was overly sensitive. The Compass received Good ratings from the IIHS, except for headlight performance, and mixed ratings from the NHTSA.