2019 Acura RDX vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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 similar to the Porsche Macan, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the RDX boasted soft-touch surfaces, unique stitching, and suede inserts, with actual brushed aluminum brightwork that, while occasionally blinding, highlighted the redesigned center console and True Touchpad infotainment system. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a power liftgate, and a panoramic moonroof, along with leather upholstery, heated power seats, and a 10.2-inch HD monitor with Apple CarPlay integration.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a subtle exterior, with no gratuitous styling changes to differentiate it from other versions. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, maintaining the SUV's sleek design. Starting at $79,000, the PHEV included HSE trim, with options pushing the price to $93,200. The test vehicle featured Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its inherent good looks. Inside, the cabin was filled with quality materials, reflecting the high price tag. However, the vehicle's technology and infotainment system proved complex and occasionally frustrating, despite the luxurious and comfortable interior.

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, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available with front-wheel drive or Acura's "Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive" (SH-AWD), the RDX offered impressive torque-vectoring capabilities. SH-AWD could divert 70% of torque to the rear wheels, with 100% of that 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, and steering feel. The RDX delivered brisk acceleration and agile cornering, with the Advance trim featuring an adaptive damper system for a customizable ride. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive model was 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AWD version returned 21/27/23 mpg.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, the test vehicle struggled to maintain EV mode, often defaulting to hybrid mode. The PHEV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a modest improvement over previous models. The SUV's adaptive air suspension and various driving modes provided a comfortable and athletic driving experience, though the regenerative brakes were grabby. The Range Rover Sport PHEV retained its off-roading capability, with multiple traction settings and the ability to ford 33.4 inches of water. However, recharging the battery proved frustrating, with inconsistent results from a standard household outlet.

The 2019 Acura RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat, increasing by 3 cubic feet from the previous year. With the rear seats folded, cargo capacity was 58.9 cubic feet. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The floating center stack design provided additional storage, along with power and USB ports. The center console featured a cupholder tray with a brushed metal cover, and all four doors had room for multiple water bottles. The rear seat included a center armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV had a compromised cargo area due to the battery beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing space to 27.5 cubic feet. The interior comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle included 4-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic glass roof, enhancing the cabin experience. However, practical storage was limited, especially with the optional refrigerated center console bin. The dual-glove-box design provided some additional storage, but the narrow, adjustable inboard armrests were less comfortable than the center console armrest.

The 2019 Acura RDX featured the new True Touchpad infotainment system, replacing the previous 2-screen setup. The high-definition screen was sharp and easy to read, but the touchpad 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 system's complexity detracted from its overall usability.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and occasionally frustrating. Despite spending time setting up the system, accessing specific features and functions remained challenging. The system sometimes behaved unexpectedly, and the lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the difficulty. While the technology managed the vehicle's complexity, it often led to confusion and frustration, especially for technophobes.

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 included 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 range-topping Advance trim included a head-up warning system.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) to help manage its complex technology. However, the new steering-assist system and lane-keeping assist were overly aggressive, leading to head-toss and abrupt corrections. The Range Rover Sport's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security, but crash-test ratings were unavailable due to its high price and low volume.