2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Buick Envision

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 class. The large logo on the grille, though oversized, blended well with the overall design. The RDX's exterior was characterized by a swooping upper character line and a large spoiler-like appearance, adding to its sporty look. Inside, the RDX boasted a sharp and precise cabin design with eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a strong red-and-black contrast. The RDX came well-equipped with standard features like synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The A-Spec model added unique visual upgrades, while the Advance Package offered additional luxury features.

The 2021 Buick Envision underwent a redesign, resulting in a lower and wider stance with premium crossover styling. It showcased a more sculpted look compared to its cousin, the Cadillac XT4, but wasn't as sleek as the Acura RDX. The Envision offered three trim levels: Preferred, Essence, and Avenir, with the Avenir trim featuring upgraded exterior elements and a unique interior trim pattern. The Envision's cabin design was driver-centric, with a protruding center stack housing the infotainment screen and climate controls. However, the use of piano black plastic on the dashboard and center console attracted dust. The Envision's standard features included LED lighting, a welcome lighting animation, and a range of wheel options.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, delivering impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive or available Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, enhancing 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 and engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Buick Envision featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite a reduction in power compared to the previous model, the Envision's weight savings improved fuel efficiency. The FWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined, while the AWD version returned 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. The Envision's drivability was more focused on comfort, with a typical GM drive mode selector. However, engine and road noise affected the premium feel of the cabin.

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

The 2021 Buick Envision, despite a longer wheelbase, had less headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in the front row compared to its predecessor. Rear-seat passengers experienced reduced legroom and headroom, making it less adult-friendly. The Envision's cargo capacity was 25.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 53.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The driver-centric cockpit limited the front passenger's access to controls, and forward visibility was compromised. However, the Envision offered standard features like heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad that lacked intuitive functionality. While it featured a vivid widescreen display, the touchpad interface was cumbersome. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation and an ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec model featured the ELS Studio 3D sound system. The Advance Package included a head-up display.

The 2021 Buick Envision's tech highlight was its standard 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, which was responsive and displayed necessary functionalities. The driver information display provided quick access to station and song title information. Standard features included USB ports, dual-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features included navigation, a surround-view camera, and wireless device charging.

The 2020 Acura RDX came equipped with a comprehensive set of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, LATCH child-seat mounting systems, and a rear-view camera. It also offered driver-assistance features like 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 surround-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 Buick Envision had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS due to its new generation. It featured the Buckle to Drive system, ensuring seatbelt use before shifting from park to drive. Standard safety features included forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic park assist were available on Avenir models. The Envision lacked GM's Super Cruise and lane-centering technology.