2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Acura RDX closely resembled its 2019 predecessor, maintaining its status as one of the best-looking vehicles in its segment. The imposing grille and rakish headlights replaced the outdated "beak" grille, giving it a modern and aggressive look. The large logo within the grille, though comically oversized, fit well within the overall design. The upper character line swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line that created the appearance of a large spoiler. Inside, the RDX featured sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a strong red-and-black interior aesthetic. Standard features included synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen.

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its age, received some design tweaks, including the hourglass grille that had become a staple in the Lexus lineup. The GX wore this grille better than the larger LX. However, the decade-old design was still evident, especially in the cabin, which retained the large, chunky center console and big buttons from the early 2010s. The GX's rugged capability, shared with the Toyota 4Runner, outweighed the need for innovation. The interior, though dated, was functional, with large dials and knobs that could be operated while wearing work gloves. The GX was available in three trims: 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury, each offering a range of features from leather upholstery to a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration and a great engine note. Power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or the available Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The 10-speed auto managed power well, aiding both fuel economy and performance driving. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus drive modes, adjusting throttle response, shift patterns, steering feel, and power delivery. The RDX A-Spec with SH-AWD returned an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 provided a swell of power, making the GX capable of handling various driving conditions. The steering, though initially feeling over-boosted, was direct and responsive. The self-leveling air suspension offered a smooth yet composed ride, and the GX's 4WD system made it a beast off-road. The GX could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined, and observed fuel economy of 16.3 mpg.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the limits of a "compact" SUV with its spacious cabin and comfortable, supportive front seats. The second row also offered great headroom and decent legroom. The front row had space for large water bottles in the doors and center console, while the second row had a fold-down center console with cup holders. The RDX provided 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a helpful cubby and a hidden cargo area beneath the load floor.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. The captain's chairs provided a small access way to the third row, though getting into the third row was a chore for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors. The GX had a unique side-opening rear hatch, with a separately opening rear window/hatch for easier access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad called the True Touchpad Interface. This system lacked the logic of similar systems, requiring constant attention to ensure correct selections. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hot spot, a 9-speaker audio system, and satellite radio. The Technology Package added more USB ports, navigation, and the ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec had the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers, while the Advance Package added a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age but had its perks. It was a true touchscreen, flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, making it simpler to use than modern systems. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GX's simplicity might appeal to drivers who prefer straightforward controls over complex modern interfaces.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, LATCH child-seat mounting systems, a tire pressure monitoring system, hill-start assist, and a rear-view camera. It also included a full complement of driver-assistance features such as lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package added a 10.5-inch head-up display, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a washer nozzle for the rear-view camera. The 2019 RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also had standard blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX offered great visibility with massive windows and mirrors, enhancing safety.