2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Toyota Venza

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 segment. 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, which added a sporty flair. Inside, the RDX impressed with its sharp styling and eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a striking red-and-black contrast. The cabin was well-equipped with standard features like synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The RDX offered various packages, including the Technology, A-Spec, and Advance, each adding unique features and enhancements.

The 2021 Toyota Venza, although shorter and lower than the RAV4, was often compared to a Lexus due to its elegant design. Critics noted its resemblance to the Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept, with a sophisticated grille and elongated profile. The Venza was available in three trims: LE, XLE, and Limited, with a choice of seven paint colors. Standard features included LED lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a wireless charging pad. The XLE trim added black bumper garnishes and heated front seats, while the Limited trim offered a digital rearview mirror and an optional Star Gaze panoramic roof. The Venza's interior was praised for its premium appointments and unique design, offering a comfortable and refined experience.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering an impressive 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided strong acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX featured an Integrated Dynamics System with drive modes like Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Despite its performance focus, the RDX maintained a comfortable ride, achieving an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined with SH-AWD.

The 2021 Toyota Venza came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. While not as powerful as some competitors, the Venza offered smooth acceleration and confident handling. The electronically-controlled continuously-variable transmission (eCVT) contributed to a quiet ride once at speed, though initial acceleration was noisier. The Venza excelled in fuel efficiency, achieving an EPA-estimated 40 mpg highway, 37 city, and 39 combined, outperforming rivals like the Murano and Passport. Toyota's hybrid powertrain was backed by a 10-year/150,000-mile battery warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile Hybrid System warranty.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the boundaries of a compact SUV with its spacious cabin and comfortable seating. The front seats offered ample head- and legroom, while the second row provided good headroom and decent legroom. The RDX featured practical storage solutions, including large door pockets, a center console with a retractable panel, and a pass-through cargo tray. The cargo area offered 29.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it competitive in its class.

The 2021 Toyota Venza prioritized practicality with a unique interior design that set it apart from both Lexus and Toyota models. The center stack featured premium materials and capacitive buttons for climate and infotainment controls. The deep center console housed cup holders, a wireless charging pad, and various controls. The Venza's seating was comfortable for both front and rear passengers, with more headroom than the RAV4. While the Venza offered less cargo space than some competitors, its 55.1 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity was sufficient for daily use. The quick-flip rear seatbacks made configuring the cargo area easy.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a point of contention, with its True Touchpad Interface proving cumbersome. The system's touchpad required constant attention to ensure accurate selections, detracting from the user experience. Despite this, the RDX came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The Technology Package added navigation and an ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec featured the ELS Studio 3D system. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Venza offered an 8-inch infotainment system on the LE and XLE trims, with a 12.3-inch screen on the Limited. The Entune system, while improved, still required multiple menu interactions for simple tasks. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim boasted a nine-speaker JBL audio system. Toyota's connected services, such as Safety Connect and Remote Connect, were standard, with dynamic navigation available on models with the larger screen.

The 2020 Acura RDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, a rear-view camera, and driver-assistance technologies like lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, while the Advance Package included a 360-degree camera. The RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota Venza featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, offering a range of safety and driver-assist technologies. Standard features included eight airbags, a rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control. The Venza also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, with automatic braking available on higher trims. The LATCH system provided secure child-seat mounting. The safety features performed well, though the lane-keeping assist tended to keep the vehicle slightly to the right within the lane.