2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Buick Enclave

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, creating a spoiler-like appearance. Inside, the RDX boasted sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery, providing 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 ambient cabin lighting.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, a large and impressive SUV, continued to reflect Buick's recovery from past design missteps. The Enclave, available in Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, ranged from just over $41,000 to nearly $55,000. The Avenir trim added a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to controls, and polished accents. The leather seats were soft, perforated, and embroidered, though the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was initially fussy but became intuitive with use. The Enclave's simplicity and upscale design made it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2020 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2-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. Power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or 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 A-Spec with SH-AWD returned an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. Despite its sporty performance, the RDX maintained excellent handling and comfort, making it a versatile luxury SUV.

The 2021 Buick Enclave came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offered strong acceleration and a maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's ride and handling were enhanced by the Avenir Technology Package, which included a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping. The Enclave's suspension performed well across various driving conditions, providing a comfortable and controlled ride. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg in combined driving, and it achieved 21.2 mpg during testing, offering a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the boundaries of a compact SUV with its spacious cabin and comfortable front seats. The second row offered great headroom and decent legroom, with additional storage options in the front and rear. 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 liftable panel revealing a hidden storage compartment.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, one of the largest SUVs in its class, offered ample space for six to seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs and third-row bench seat provided comfortable seating, with easy access through large rear doors. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 97.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a major letdown. The True Touchpad Interface, similar to Lexus's Remote Touch, required constant attention to ensure correct selections. Despite standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the touchpad negated their simplicity. The Technology Package added navigation and the ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec featured the ELS Studio 3D system with 16 speakers. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size, smart home integration, and audio quality. The Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, lacking Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant integration. The 10-speaker Bose system was underwhelming compared to competitors. However, the Enclave offered useful features like a rear camera mirror and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, with USB ports in all three rows.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with a comprehensive suite of airbags, LATCH systems, and driver-assistance features, including lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, while the Advance Package included a head-up display and a 360-degree camera. The 2019 RDX received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were limited to higher trims. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available from the Essence trim, while the Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control required the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA but missed a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to Marginal headlight performance.