2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 BMW X5

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 comical in size, blended well with 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, 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 2021 BMW X5 showcased BMW's signature design elements, from the kidney grille to the body shape, ensuring it was unmistakably a BMW. Full adaptive LED headlights and various trim options, including the sporty M Sport styling, added to its upscale appearance. The interior, though similar to other BMW models, featured high-quality materials and unique styling elements in the M Sport models. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, with heated seats and armrests, though the front seats could feel hard on long trips. The split liftgate and adjustable vehicle height made loading cargo easy, and the available third row added versatility.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-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 managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or available Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The Integrated Dynamics System offered Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus drive modes, adjusting throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel. The RDX achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined, with observed fuel economy of 22.2 mpg.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i had a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, or 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were less engaging than expected, with steering issues at high speeds and a lack of the connected drive experience BMW is known for. Fuel economy varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg combined, and the X5 xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats, ample head- and legroom, and a pass-through cargo tray with a USB port. The second row provided great headroom and decent legroom, with a fold-down center console and in-door cup holders. The RDX had 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 2021 BMW X5 made good use of space, with cupholders at the front of the center console and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but could feel hard on longer drives. The rear seats were spacious enough for two adults, and an available third row added versatility. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate with full power functionality made loading cargo easy. The X5's cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space due to the battery.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad that lacked the logic of similar systems. 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 featured the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers, while the Advance Package added a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof.

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 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 included 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 2021 BMW X5 included blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, but it had issues with reacting to stopped traffic and lane-keeping in sunlight and rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.