2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Lexus RX

The 2020 Acura RDX retained its striking design from the previous year, featuring a beamy, imposing grille and rakish headlights. 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 gave the appearance of a large spoiler. Inside, the RDX boasted sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery in the test model, 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 A-Spec model added unique 20-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic moonroof, while the Advance Package offered rain-sensing wipers, heated rear seats, and natural Olive Ash wood trim.

The 2020 Lexus RX received a refresh with significant upgrades inside and out. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The grille was redesigned to resemble Lexus cars, and new paint colors were introduced. The rear end saw updates with a new shape, dual exhaust, and an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the RX offered a variety of interior colors and materials, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport package added unique styling elements and performance dampers. The cabin was comfortable for four adults in the two-row model, but the third row in the RX-L was best suited for small children. The cargo area was smaller than competitors, with a high load floor that compromised space.

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 RDX offered multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, which adjusted throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel. The A-Spec model with SH-AWD achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. The RDX excelled in both acceleration and handling, providing a comfortable yet performance-oriented driving experience.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350L models had slightly lower power outputs. A hybrid version, the RX 450h, combined the V6 with an electric motor to achieve 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450hL had a similar setup but with different power outputs. The RX was not particularly athletic, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, but it provided sufficient power for most driving situations. The RX 350 achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h AWD achieved 30 mpg combined. The F Sport models offered adaptive variable suspension and additional drive modes, enhancing agility and driving experience.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats, providing ample head- and legroom. The second row also had great headroom and decent legroom. The front row featured large water bottle holders and a pass-through cargo tray with a USB port. 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 under the load floor.

The 2020 Lexus RX interior was functional but not as stylish as its German competitors. The two-row model comfortably seated four adults, while the third row in the RX-L was best for small children. The front seats were comfortable with good visibility, though the A-pillar could impede the driver's view. The cargo area was smaller than rivals, with a high load floor that limited space. The RX 350L and 450hL had even less cargo space compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350 and 450h models and standard on RX-L versions.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad called the True Touchpad Interface. This system was less intuitive than competitors, requiring constant attention to ensure correct selections. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added more USB ports, navigation, and the 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 Lexus RX improved its infotainment system by moving the display closer to the driver and adding a touchscreen. The system remained difficult to navigate, but Apple CarPlay and other integrations helped mitigate issues. The RX came with Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, Google Assistant, and more. The physical control system was easier to manage with improved responsiveness. The RX had six USB ports and a standard 12-speaker audio system, with an available 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

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 driver-assistance features like lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package included a head-up display, a 360-degree camera, and a rear-view camera washer. 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 RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. Additional safety features included daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX also offered a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.