2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

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, worked well within the overall design. The upper character line swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line, giving 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 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 Honda Odyssey, with a styling theme dating back a decade, received minor tweaks for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were new, and every trim level got standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The top three trim levels debuted new wheel designs. The Odyssey Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and handsome new 19-inch wheels. The interior improvements included new tri-color floor mats and seating material and design enhancements. The Odyssey Elite aimed to serve as the Acura of minivans with its toned-down chrome and more luxurious interior.

The 2020 Acura RDX came with 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 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 model 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 well-rounded luxury SUV.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, producing 280 horsepower. The engine included variable cylinder management for fuel conservation, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive, putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. However, it featured a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey's ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience, with perfectly weighted steering and expertly managed body motions. The brakes, however, did not withstand much abuse, showing signs of fade during intense use.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the limits of a "compact" SUV with its spacious cabin and comfortable front seats. The second row also offered 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 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 under the load floor.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and excellent storage space. The Elite trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout allowed for various seating configurations, accommodating both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third-row seat, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled, and a maximum of 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

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 similar systems, making it difficult to use. 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, additional USB ports, and the ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec model 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 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and HondaLink connectivity. Touring trim added navigation, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. HondaLink subscription plans offered additional features like automatic collision notification, remote operation of the engine and door locks, and a personal assistant. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and built-in streaming apps.

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. The Technology Package added 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 received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its safety with standard Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey also featured a new Honda Sensing menu button for easy access to ADAS settings. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning was available starting with EX trim. The Odyssey's ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The structurally identical 2020 model received top five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating for rollover resistance. The Odyssey was expected to earn a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS.