2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2020 Acura RDX closely resembled its 2019 predecessor, which was a positive aspect. The RDX featured a beamy, imposing grille and rakish headlights, moving away from the "beak" grille of the past. The large logo within the grille, although comically oversized, worked well within the overall design. The upper character line swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line that created 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 Chevrolet Suburban had a polarizing front-end design, borrowing elements from the Camaro, which didn't always translate well to its massive frame. The combination of small headlights and large, busy grilles was not universally liked. However, the interior remained familiar, with controls in their expected places. The Suburban offered various trims, from the base LS with standard infotainment and 18-inch alloy wheels to the range-topping High Country, which included features like adaptive air suspension and a panoramic sunroof. Despite its upscale features, the High Country lacked the soft-touch materials found in true luxury SUVs, feeling more like an upscale pickup.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2-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 routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or the available Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, controlled by a large dial on the dash. Fuel economy for the A-Spec model with SH-AWD was an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. The RDX excelled in both acceleration and handling, offering a comfortable yet performance-oriented driving experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 5.3-liter V8 engine producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. A more powerful 6.2-liter V8 was also available, delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Our test vehicle featured the newly available Duramax turbodiesel engine, a 3.0-liter inline-six generating 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, with standard rear-wheel drive or available 4WD. The Suburban's diesel engine provided great pickup and V8-level torque. The independent rear suspension improved ride quality, but the Suburban still exhibited some truck-like tendencies, such as body-roll and susceptibility to crosswinds.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the limits of what constituted a "compact" SUV, offering a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. The second row also provided great headroom and decent legroom. 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 load floor at a good height and additional storage options like a hidden cargo area beneath a liftable panel.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering a massive 144.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Even with the second-row seats in use, it provided 93.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row. Passengers enjoyed a commanding view of the road and ample head- and legroom. The second-row captain's chairs were particularly spacious. The control layout was similar to GM's pickup trucks, but the button shifter design was less intuitive. The power-sliding center console was a complex feature that added little value compared to simpler solutions.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, despite its vivid widescreen display. Operated via a touchpad called the True Touchpad Interface, it lacked the intuitive scrolling feature found in systems like Lexus's Remote Touch. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added navigation and the ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec featured the impressive ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban came standard with a 10.2-inch touchscreen running GM's intuitive infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system had crisp graphics and a sensible layout, with a helpful home button. Optional features included a navigation system, a rear entertainment system with large touchscreens, and a head-up display. The combination of wireless device charging and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto made for a convenient setup.

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 360-degree surround-view camera and a washer nozzle for the rear-view camera. 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 Chevrolet Suburban came equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and rear parking sensors. It also featured the Teen Driver system, allowing parents to set speed and volume limitations for younger drivers. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, front parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor camera system. Unique options included the rear-view camera mirror and the Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated for alerts.