2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

The 2020 Acura RDX retained its striking design from the previous year, featuring a bold grille and sleek headlights that made it one of the most attractive vehicles in its segment. The large logo on the grille, though oversized, complemented the overall design. The RDX's exterior was characterized by a swooping upper character line and a spoiler-like rear design. Inside, the RDX boasted a sharp and precise cabin with eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a strong red-and-black contrast. Standard features included synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The RDX offered three packages: Technology, A-Spec, and Advance, each adding various luxury and performance features.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in delivering a premium feel, with captivating style and continual improvements. It featured more standard equipment, enhanced cabin appearance, and reduced noise and vibration. The CX-5's design, rooted in Mazda's "Kodo" styling, remained appealing and upscale. Inside, the Signature trim offered premium Nappa leather upholstery and real wood accents, though the Caturra Brown leather lacked contrast. The CX-5's interior was stylish, with clear gauges and metallic accents. Trim levels included Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature, each adding various comfort and luxury features.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, delivering impressive acceleration. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or optional Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX offered multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, enhancing throttle response and steering feel. The A-Spec model with SH-AWD achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. The RDX provided excellent handling and comfort, making it a versatile luxury SUV.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 came with a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims featured a turbocharged engine, delivering up to 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. The turbocharged engine offered strong acceleration but was less fuel-efficient, averaging 22.1 mpg. The CX-5's G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced driving dynamics, though excessive body motions affected its performance on winding roads.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats, providing ample head- and legroom. The second row also had good headroom and decent legroom. The RDX featured convenient storage options, including large water bottle holders and a pass-through cargo tray. Cargo space measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it practical for its class.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's interior was more cramped compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, it compensated with an upscale cabin and a generous list of standard equipment. The CX-5 Signature's front seats were comfortable, though rear legroom was limited. Cargo space measured 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. A power liftgate was standard on higher trims, enhancing convenience.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system, though visually appealing, was hindered by the True Touchpad Interface, which lacked intuitive navigation. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation and the ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec featured the ELS Studio 3D system. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which required acclimation. The Sport trim had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Touring trim added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Grand Touring trim included an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose premium sound system. The Signature trim offered navigation and a surround-view camera system. Interaction options included the touchscreen, center console controls, and voice-recognition technology, though none were ideal.

The 2020 Acura RDX came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, LATCH systems, and a rear-view camera. Driver-assistance features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Advance Package included a 360-degree camera and a rear-view camera washer. The RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with standard i-Activsense features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. It also had LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers. The Grand Touring trim added adaptive headlights. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in individual testing parameters.