2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2020 Acura RDX closely resembled its 2019 predecessor, maintaining its status as one of the best-looking vehicles in its segment. The beamy, imposing grille and rakish headlights replaced the outdated "beak" grille, giving it a modern and aggressive look. 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 featured 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 A-Spec package 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 Honda CR-V Hybrid retained the freshened look introduced in 2020, with updated styling, improved interior storage, and standard Honda Sensing safety technology. The hybrid version featured "Hybrid" badges, blue Honda logos, sophisticated LED fog lights, and a different rear bumper. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid had unique instrumentation showing battery-charge status and power distribution. The paddles on the steering wheel managed the regenerative braking system. Available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, the CR-V Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive. The Touring trim added larger 19-inch wheels, navigation, a premium sound system, and wireless smartphone charging. The test vehicle in Touring trim featured Platinum White Pearl paint and ivory leather, creating a rich two-tone contrast. However, the fake wood trim detracted from the overall interior quality.

The 2020 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, providing 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 Integrated Dynamics System offered Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus drive modes, controlling throttle response, shift patterns, steering feel, and power delivery. The A-Spec test model with SH-AWD returned an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. Despite the stop-start system being a bit jerky, the RDX provided great acceleration with minimal turbo lag and fantastic handling while remaining comfortable.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid paired a 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with an electric assist motor and a generator/starter motor, producing a total system output of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid automatically selected from EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive modes based on the situation, with additional driver-selected modes of Econ, Sport, and EV. The added weight of the battery pack and electric motors improved weight distribution and maintained the standard CR-V AWD model's 8.2 inches of ground clearance. The CR-V Hybrid offered quick acceleration, a comfortable ride, and predictable handling. However, it returned only 33.7 mpg on the testing route, falling short of the EPA rating of 38 mpg combined and the 39.7 mpg achieved by a RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the limits of a "compact" SUV with its spacious cabin and comfortable, supportive front seats. The second row also offered great headroom and decent legroom. The front row had space for large water bottles in the doors and center console, while the second row featured a fold-down center console with cup holders. 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 helpful cubby and a hidden cargo area beneath a liftable panel.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in carrying people and cargo. The supportive front seats offered 12-way power adjustment and heated functionality, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seat room was remarkable, with ample space for adults and a flat floor for accommodating three passengers. Interior storage was impressive, despite the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger taking up center console space. The CR-V Hybrid provided 33.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, this was less than the standard CR-V Touring and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad called the True Touchpad Interface. This system lacked the logic of the Lexus Remote Touch trackpad, requiring constant attention to ensure correct selections. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but not optimized for the touchpad. Standard tech features included 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 ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, performed poorly despite its modern appearance. The seven-inch touchscreen lacked a tuning knob and took a long time to start up. Voice-recognition technology was subpar, making wired Apple CarPlay or Android Auto necessary for voice commands. The navigation map display was cluttered, and HondaLink connected services were minimal. The Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger seemed like an afterthought. However, the nine-speaker premium audio system sounded good, and the infotainment system supported text messaging, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Pandora internet radio.

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 rear-view camera washer nozzle. The 2019 RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with full-stop capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. It also featured blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. However, the CR-V lacked automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and safe teen driver settings. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.