2019 Acura RDX vs 2020 Subaru Outback

The 2019 Acura RDX showcased a bold new exterior design, echoing the aesthetics of 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 overall 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, creating a luxurious feel. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a power liftgate, and a panoramic moonroof. The interior was well-equipped with leather upholstery, heated power seats, dual-zone climate control, and a 10.2-inch HD infotainment system with Apple CarPlay integration.

The 2020 Subaru Outback retained its winning formula, focusing on incremental improvements. Built on Subaru’s Global Platform, it offered a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, with 90% new parts, delivered 182 horsepower, while higher trims featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 horsepower. The exterior changes were subtle, with noticeable updates to the head- and taillights. Inside, the Outback debuted an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims, with the base trim getting dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus system used facial recognition to adjust settings and alert distracted drivers. The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at $26,645, with features like LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. Higher trims added luxury features like leather upholstery, a Harman Kardon stereo, and advanced safety systems.

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). The SH-AWD system could divert 70% of torque to the rear wheels, enhancing performance in various driving conditions. 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 offered a sporty ride with agile cornering, especially in Sport mode. 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 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, offering 26 mpg city and 33 highway. For more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims delivered 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission. Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive system provided consistent power delivery and improved handling, especially in adverse conditions. The Outback's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and X-Mode with hill-descent control made it capable off-road. However, its approach, departure, and breakover angles limited its extreme off-road capabilities.

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 model. With the 60/40 split-fold rear seats down, cargo capacity was 58.9 cubic feet. The interior was spacious, with ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The floating center stack design provided additional storage space, and the cabin featured numerous trays and cubbies for everyday items. The RDX's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, with power and USB ports easily accessible.

The 2020 Subaru Outback provided 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The increase in width between the rear wheels contributed to the larger cargo volume. The interior was spacious, accommodating taller passengers comfortably in both the front and rear seats. The Outback's design prioritized visibility, with excellent sightlines in most directions. However, the rear quarters had a significant blind spot, which could be mitigated with the optional blind-spot monitoring system. The low load height and ample storage space made the Outback highly functional for various needs.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with the True Touchpad infotainment system, featuring a high-definition screen with sharp icons. The touchpad correlated directly 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 involved moving the highlighted icon around the screen, similar to Lexus' Enform system.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen for most trims, with a user-friendly interface and well-laid-out functions. However, the system suffered from lag, affecting navigation, app usage, and even volume control. The camera resolution was also subpar, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the large screen and intuitive design had potential, provided Subaru addressed the lag and resolution problems.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with a reversing camera, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, and a full array of airbags. The AcuraWatch suite 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. The Advance trim included a head-up warning system.

The 2020 Subaru Outback's standard safety suite impressed, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. However, the DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was problematic, frequently issuing false alerts. Subaru's EyeSight system, while standard, could be obstructed by weather conditions, causing it to turn off. Despite these issues, the Outback's safety features were robust, especially considering the standard all-wheel drive system.