2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Acura RDX retained its striking design from the previous year, featuring a bold grille and sleek headlights that contributed to its standout appearance in the luxury SUV segment. The oversized logo on the grille, while initially amusing, blended well with the overall design. The RDX's exterior was further enhanced by its dynamic character lines, creating a sporty and aerodynamic profile. Inside, the RDX impressed with its sharp styling and eye-catching red leather upholstery, which provided a striking contrast against the black interior. The cabin was well-equipped with standard features like synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, offering a luxurious experience at a competitive price point.

In contrast, the 2020 Land Rover Range Rover exuded a sense of luxury and heritage, drawing from its origins as a rugged off-roader. The Range Rover's design was a blend of elegance and capability, with a variety of trims and wheelbase options to suit different preferences. The interior was a testament to luxury, featuring leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and a sophisticated infotainment system. The Range Rover's design was not just about aesthetics; it also offered practicality with features like a hands-free tailgate and a unique two-piece configuration for easy loading. The Range Rover's reputation for combining luxury with off-road prowess was evident in its design and features.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering an impressive 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided strong acceleration and a satisfying engine note, making it a joy to drive. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the option of front-wheel drive or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. Despite its performance capabilities, the RDX maintained respectable fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway for the A-Spec model with SH-AWD.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a more powerful version of the same engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking even more power, the Range Rover offered a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine with 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim took performance to the next level with a 557-horsepower V8 engine. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, ensuring a blend of power and capability. The Range Rover's electronic air suspension and Terrain Response System further enhanced its performance, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a spacious and comfortable cabin, pushing the boundaries of what constituted a compact SUV. The front seats were supportive and provided ample head- and legroom, while the second row offered great headroom and decent legroom. The RDX's cargo space was impressive, with 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a load floor at a convenient height and additional storage options like a hidden cargo area beneath the load floor.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover provided a luxurious and spacious interior, with seating for five as standard. The optional second-row captain's chairs reduced seating capacity to four but offered exceptional comfort, especially in the Long Wheelbase (LWB) version. The Standard Wheelbase (SWB) model offered 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model provided 77.5 cubic feet. The Range Rover's unique two-piece tailgate configuration made loading large items easier and offered a convenient tailgating setup. The interior featured well-designed storage compartments and cupholders, ensuring practicality alongside luxury.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a point of contention, with its True Touchpad Interface proving to be less intuitive than expected. The touchpad's design required constant attention to ensure accurate selections, detracting from the overall user experience. Despite this, the RDX came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation, additional USB ports, and the impressive ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec model featured the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers, while the Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover's InControl Touch Pro Duo system was the centerpiece of its technology offerings, featuring two touchscreens for navigation, phone, stereo, and climate controls. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the selected menu, providing a unique and customizable experience. While the system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues, it offered a fully digital instrument panel and an available head-up display. The Range Rover's technology suite was comprehensive, with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2020 Acura RDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a rear-view camera. It also offered a range of driver-assistance features, such as lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package included a 360-degree surround-view camera and a head-up display. The RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a solid array of standard safety features, including low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety features were available, such as a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Range Rover's safety features were comprehensive, but some competitors offered more standard equipment. The 360-degree camera and parking sensors were particularly useful for maneuvering the large SUV in tight spaces.