2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Cadillac XT5

The 2020 Acura RDX closely resembled its 2019 predecessor, maintaining its striking appearance. The imposing grille and rakish headlights replaced the outdated "beak" grille, giving it a modern and aggressive look. The large 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 that created a spoiler-like effect. Inside, the RDX featured sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery in the test model, 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 A-Spec package added visual upgrades like unique 20-inch wheels, larger exhaust outlets, and a diamond pattern grille, while the Advance Package offered premium features like rain-sensing wipers and heated rear seats.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. The XT5 received 40 updates in 2020, including a new engine option, revised styling, and enhanced technology, which carried over to the 2021 model. The exterior featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5's design was more upscale than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with sweeping horizontal lines and straightforward materials. The Premium Luxury trim level exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents. The XT5's interior design and styling were more refined than previous Cadillac models, offering a chic and sophisticated experience.

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 impressive acceleration and a great engine note. Power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or the available Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The 10-speed auto managed power well, contributing to both fuel economy and performance driving. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus drive modes, adjusting throttle response, shift patterns, steering feel, and power delivery. The RDX A-Spec with SH-AWD returned an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. The RDX offered fantastic handling and comfort, making it a versatile luxury SUV.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided immediate throttle response but could benefit from additional low-end torque. The XT5 AWD achieved about 25 mpg during a 2,000-mile test drive, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined. The base engine achieved 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD. The XT5 handled well on the road, offering a smooth and comfortable ride.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the limits of a "compact" SUV with its spacious cabin and comfortable front seats. The second row also 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 second row featured a fold-down center console with cup holders and in-door cup holders. The RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a helpful cubby and a hidden cargo area under a liftable panel.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had enough room for four adults in two rows, though it technically fit five with a three-seat bench in the second row. The back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was good in both rows. The front seats were not as comfortable as they appeared during extended road trips. Heated front seats were standard, and the SUV's climate control system activated either heated or ventilated seats based on the interior temperature. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, though wheel bump-outs minimized the width. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing loose items, and a hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight and small map pockets.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, despite its vivid widescreen display. The True Touchpad Interface was difficult to use, requiring constant attention to ensure the correct item was selected. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but not optimized for the touchpad. Other standard tech features included Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hot spot, a 9-speaker audio system, and satellite radio. The Technology Package added two 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 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system and center stack with haptic feedback via hidden-button functionality. The tri-zone automatic climate control system had a chrome toggle switch for temperature adjustments. A heated steering wheel and heated outboard rear seats were available. The XT5's standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen housed numerous functionalities, with a rotary controller on the center console for screen navigation. The XT5 included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, AUX port, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hot spot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and a head-up display were also available.

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 driver-assistance features like 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 Acura 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 Cadillac XT5's safety features included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. Standard features included a rear-seat reminder and a rearview camera. Cadillac's Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, allowing large wildlife and hazards to be seen at a distance. The system also worked well in foggy conditions. General Motors' Teen Driver software was standard, allowing parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.