2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Acura MDX

In 2020, the Acura RDX continued its bold and modern design, almost unchanged from the 2019 version. This continuity was seen as a positive move, as the RDX had already earned accolades for its striking looks in the compact luxury SUV segment. The new grille design, featuring a large and imposing Acura badge, garnered attention, though some found the logo humorously oversized. The gracefully flowing character lines, including the one swooping from the windshield to the rear hatch, and the sharply intersecting lower line, gave the RDX a distinctive, almost sporty, appearance. The interior followed this sharp and modern design language, with available red leather upholstery that contrasted vividly with black details.

The RDX lineup included several trim packages—Technology, A-Spec, and Advance—that built on the base model's comprehensive standard offerings. Each package added unique styling elements, high-quality materials, and additional tech features. For example, the A-Spec trim featured striking 20-inch wheels and sporty bumpers, while the Advance Package indulged with luxurious touches such as 16-way power front seats and Olive Ash wood trim.

The MDX, on the other hand, exhibited a more conservative design approach. While it was an attractive crossover SUV, its styling wasn't the kind to turn heads or elicit excessive praise. Traditional LED Jewel Eye headlights lent a refined look to the MDX, flanking a trapezoidal grille with a dominant Acura emblem. Its overall design was sleek and low-slung for a three-row SUV, yet it managed to blend into the crowd with a focus on functional, understated elegance.

Inside, the MDX continued this theme with a clean, modern layout absent the excessive padding and stitching found in some luxury interiors. The twin-screen infotainment setup was a highlight, providing functionality with an 8.0-inch screen for navigation and a lower touchscreen for multimedia controls. Acura's solid material choice and excellent fit and finish lent the MDX a robust and well-built feel, with thoughtfully placed knobs and switches that added a degree of tactile satisfaction.

The 2020 Acura RDX impressed with its turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering a substantial 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, easily one of the most potent in its class. This engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel and Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) configurations. The 10-speed automatic transmission managed power adeptly to balance fuel economy with performance, aided by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and a sizable Integrated Dynamics System dial that toggled between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus modes. In real-world conditions, the RDX's fuel economy aligned with its EPA ratings, notably 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for the A-Spec SH-AWD model.

The MDX offered a different kind of performance experience. The base model's 3.5-liter V6 generated 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and available in either front-wheel or SH-AWD configurations. For those seeking more power, the MDX Sport Hybrid combined a 3.0-liter V6 with three electric motors, producing a total output of 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The all-wheel-drive system in both powertrains incorporated torque-vectoring, enhancing the MDX's agility and handling, particularly noticeable during cornering maneuvers where power transfer to the outer wheels provided smoother, drama-free turns.

Both the RDX and MDX excelled in their respective driving environments, with the RDX offering engaging, sporty handling and the MDX providing a comfortable, confident driving experience with its advanced suspension system soaking up road imperfections.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the boundaries of what was considered a compact SUV, providing plenty of space for passengers and cargo alike. The front seats were highly supportive and adjustable, ensuring a comfortable ride. The second row didn’t skimp on space, either, offering good headroom and decent legroom. The RDX boasted 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which expanded to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The intelligently designed cargo area included a liftable panel for additional hidden storage, and other useful spaces such as door bottle holders and a pass-through tray below the shifter console.

The MDX, being a larger three-row SUV, naturally offered more space and some minivan-like flexibility. The second-row seats could slide and recline, improving third-row access and enabling flexible legroom distribution. Cargo space was ample, with 15.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a massive 90.9 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. The MDX also featured clever storage solutions such as an underfloor storage compartment, door bottle pockets, and a flexible center console that accommodated a range of items from small electronics to personal accessories.

In the technology department, the RDX faced criticism for its True Touchpad Interface, which controlled the vibrant 10.2-inch infotainment system. Unlike more intuitive systems, the touchpad mapping directly to the screen’s layout required constant visual confirmation, detracting from its usability. Despite this, the RDX came well-equipped with standard tech features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, and a nine-speaker audio system. Upgrades through the Technology and A-Spec packages introduced premium audio systems and additional USB ports, while the Advance Package included a head-up display.

Conversely, the MDX adopted a more streamlined approach with multiple package options offering extensive tech features. Even the base MDX included essential connectivity features like Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The Technology Package added navigation, real-time traffic updates, and an ELS Studio Premium Audio System among other conveniences. Moving up to the Advance Package incorporated an Active Damper System, surround-view camera, and heated/ventilated seats. Adding the Entertainment Package brought a rear-seat DVD system, which varied slightly between the Technology and Advance packages.

Both the RDX and MDX were loaded with safety features. The RDX's standard equipment included an array of airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and hill-start assist. It also came with a full suite of driver-assistance features like lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features in the Technology Package included front and rear parking sensors and rear cross-traffic monitoring, while the Advance Package further enhanced safety with a 360-degree camera and a head-up display. The RDX's safety performance was validated by top ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA.

Similar to the RDX, the MDX came equipped with AcuraWatch—a collection of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package introduced Head-Up Warning among other safety advancements. The MDX also featured a sophisticated ACE Body Structure designed to absorb and deflect crash impact energy, contributing to its top safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA.