2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Acura RDX closely resembled its 2019 predecessor, maintaining its striking design. The imposing grille and rakish headlights replaced the outdated "beak" grille, giving it a modern and aggressive look. The large Acura 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 from the rear side windows, creating a spoiler-like appearance. Inside, the sharp styling continued with eye-catching red leather upholstery, contrasting with black elements for a bold 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 ambient cabin lighting.

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the A-Spec Package, was a visually appealing SUV. It avoided excessive blacked-out trim and off-roading elements, focusing instead on subtle yet effective sporty design cues. The A-Spec Package added front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, enhancing the sporty feel. The base price started at $38,200, with the A-Spec Package bringing it to $44,100. The SH-AWD system, costing an additional $2,000, significantly improved handling. The interior featured quality materials and a thick-rimmed steering wheel, though the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read. Despite some drawbacks, the RDX A-Spec delivered a sporty look and feel, making it stand out in the compact crossover SUV segment.

The 2020 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration, making the RDX quick off the line and capable of overtaking on the highway. The 10-speed automatic transmission, available with front-wheel drive or SH-AWD, managed power efficiently, contributing to both performance and fuel economy. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus modes, adjusting throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel. The A-Spec model with SH-AWD returned an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. Despite some quirks in the dash layout, the RDX offered great acceleration, minimal turbo lag, and fantastic handling, making it a well-rounded performer.

The 2021 Acura RDX also came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering the same 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the optional SH-AWD system enhanced handling, making the RDX fun to drive. The Integrated Dynamics System offered Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and, in models with the Advance Package, suspension firmness. The A-Spec model featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, though it lacked the adaptive dampers of the Advance Package. Despite some minor drawbacks, the RDX A-Spec provided a rewarding driving experience with its broad torque curve, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes. The RDX exhibited more aggressive behavior in Sport+ mode, making it a delight to drive.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the boundaries of a "compact" SUV, offering a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. The second row provided great headroom and decent legroom. The front row had ample storage space, including large water bottle holders and a pass-through cargo tray with a USB port. The rear seats folded down easily, expanding the cargo space from 29.5 cubic feet to 58.9 cubic feet. The cargo area was accessible, with a helpful cubby and a hidden storage compartment under the load floor.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though classified as a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats, especially in the A-Spec trim, were comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the rear seats lacked leg support and had too much recline angle, making them less comfortable. Storage space was somewhat limited, with a large but not easily accessible tray under the center console. The cargo area measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a deep storage well and three separate compartments under the load floor. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 58.9 cubic feet, competitive but not class-leading. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 79.8 cubic feet, though this measurement was based on moving the front seats all the way forward.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a major letdown. The True Touchpad Interface (TTI) was difficult to use, requiring constant attention to ensure correct selections. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the touchpad negated their simplicity. Standard tech features included Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added two more USB ports, navigation, and the ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec model featured the impressive ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers, while the Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Acura RDX continued with the TTI infotainment system, which mirrored the screen's layout on the touchpad. While an improvement over Lexus's approach, it still required a learning curve and was prone to distraction. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Key by Amazon In-Car Delivery. The A-Spec model featured the same 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system as the Advance trim, delivering excellent sound quality. Despite some improvements, the TTI system remained less than ideal, detracting from the overall user experience.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 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 front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear-view camera washer nozzle. The 2019 RDX, mechanically identical to the 2020 model, received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Acura RDX also came with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available with the Technology Package. The RDX's AcuraWatch system was smoother and more refined than previous versions, making it more likely to be used. The RDX earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.