2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 oversized logo on the grille, while initially amusing, blended well with the overall design. The RDX's exterior was further enhanced by its dynamic character lines, creating a sporty and sophisticated appearance. Inside, the RDX impressed with its sharp styling and eye-catching red leather upholstery, which provided a striking contrast against the black interior. The cabin was well-equipped with standard features like synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, offering a luxurious experience even at the base level.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced a fresh design with its extended-length body and third-row seating, distinguishing it from the older two-row model. Its styling drew inspiration from the upcoming Wagoneer models, giving it a premium look with signature Jeep elements like the seven-slot grille and trapezoidal wheel arches. The Grand Cherokee L was available in multiple trims, with the Summit trim offering luxurious features such as quilted leather and real wood trim. Despite some interior materials not meeting the high price expectations, the redesigned cabin was a significant improvement over the previous model, showcasing Jeep's commitment to enhancing the vehicle's overall appeal.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering an impressive 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided strong acceleration, making the RDX quick off the line and capable of overtaking with ease. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in both front-wheel drive and Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) configurations. The RDX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. Despite its sporty performance, the RDX maintained a comfortable ride, achieving an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with SH-AWD.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L came standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive or a choice of three 4WD systems, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds. An optional 5.7-liter V8 engine was available for higher trims, increasing power to 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, and boosting towing capacity to 7,200 pounds. However, this upgrade came at the cost of reduced fuel efficiency, with an EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined. The Grand Cherokee L featured a Quadra-Lift adaptive air suspension and various off-road modes, providing excellent off-road capability and a smooth ride on paved roads. Despite its capabilities, the V6 engine was noted for being loud when revved, and the vehicle's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing.

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, making it suitable for passengers. The RDX featured practical storage solutions, including large door pockets, a center console with a retractable panel, and a pass-through cargo tray with a USB port. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, particularly in Summit trim, provided a luxurious interior with heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, along with a four-zone automatic climate control system. However, the dashboard vents were criticized for being too small, affecting the cooling efficiency. The second row featured captain's chairs with ample legroom and comfort, while the third row was surprisingly accommodating for adults. Despite its family-friendly design, the Grand Cherokee L lacked practical storage space for front-seat occupants. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet with all rear seats down.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a notable disappointment, featuring a vivid widescreen display controlled by a touchpad interface that proved cumbersome to use. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the touchpad negated their simplicity. The RDX did offer a range of standard tech features, including Bluetooth, USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The Technology Package added navigation and an ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec trim boasted an ELS Studio 3D sound system with 16 speakers.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, offering faster response times and an improved user experience. Available with either an 8.4-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen, the system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa compatibility, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle's 19-speaker McIntosh audio system delivered impressive sound quality, though the branding felt out of place. Additional tech features included a digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system.

The 2020 Acura RDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, LATCH child-seat systems, and a rear-view camera. It also offered a range of driver-assistance technologies, such as 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 360-degree camera and a head-up display. 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L introduced Active Driving Assist, a hands-on system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. While effective, the system's steering assist felt artificial. The Grand Cherokee L also featured Intersection Collision Assist, which could detect and respond to potential collisions at intersections. Additional safety technologies included Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist. As of the review, crash-test ratings were unavailable, but improvements over the previous model were anticipated.