2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Cadillac XT4

Cadillac adopted a "Y" trim level strategy for the 2020 XT4. The base model started with a Luxury trim, with options to upgrade to Premium Luxury or Sport trim. Our test vehicle came in Premium Luxury trim, equipped with front-wheel drive, Silver Radiant metallic paint, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, piling up a total price of $45,660, including a $995 destination charge.

Visually, the XT4 was captivating, especially with its 20-inch alloy wheels—perhaps the most visually appealing Cadillac crossover. Emphasizing crisp, tailored styling and well-proportioned dimensions, the XT4 suffered only from an unavoidable excessive front overhang due to its front-drive platform.

Inside, the cabin emanated a pleasant atmosphere with mostly competitive materials. However, there were noticeable missteps like the plain black trim around the power window controls, giving a somewhat lower-tier appearance that seemed more Chevy than Cadillac. Still, this sort of shortcut in quality is common among small luxury SUVs.

The 2020 Acura RDX saw very minimal design changes from its 2019 version, which was a positive aspect since the RDX was already one of the best-looking vehicles in its segment. Gone were the dated “beak” grille days; instead, the model boasted a beamy, imposing grille combined with rakish headlights.

A standout feature in its styling was the notably large Acura logo within the grille. While it might come across as ridiculous at first, it meshed well within the overall design context. Other notable styling elements included an upper character line swooping from the windshield to the rear hatch and another line starting from the bottom of the rear side windows, creating an appearance reminiscent of a large spoiler.

Inside, sharp and precise styling continued, particularly with the test model’s eye-catching red leather upholstery. Only the seats were red, contributing to a strong contrasting red-and-black interior aesthetic. Standard features in the base RDX included synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, along with numerous driver-assistance features.

The 2020 Cadillac XT4 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. The engine’s robust torque facilitated lively driving, but front-wheel-drive models could experience front-wheel slip and torque steer, which the optional twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system helped mitigate.

The nine-speed automatic transmission offered smooth shifts, though it exhibited delayed downshifts when accelerating, a problem that persisted less frequently even in Sport mode. Paddle shifters could help resolve this issue, but their effectiveness was hard to perceive.

Trustworthy fuel economy was another highlight, with an EPA-rated 26 mpg for the front-wheel-drive model and an observed 24.8 mpg during testing. However, the XT4's cabin could not fully isolate engine and road noise, detracting from the luxury experience. The suspension setup was mixed—steering effort felt balanced in Tour mode but artificially heavy in Sport mode. Standard underpinnings did not adequately handle speed humps nor absorb typical road imperfections.

Ultimately, the Cadillac XT4 looked good and handled well under certain conditions, but noise insulation and suspension refinement needed improvement to truly capture the luxury SUV essence.

Every 2020 Acura RDX model was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating an impressive 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The engine delivered solid acceleration and a pleasing engine note. Power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels or the available Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), balancing fuel economy and performance driving adeptly.

The RDX featured a steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifter system, but letting the automatic transmission handle gear changes through one of the drive modes was often more effective. The Integrated Dynamics System, controlled by a large dial, allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus modes, affecting throttle response, shift patterns, and power delivery.

In terms of fuel economy, the A-Spec SH-AWD model achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined, with observed fuel economy hitting 22.2 mpg during a mix of city and highway driving that included frequent use of Sport modes. Moreover, the RDX demonstrated excellent acceleration while displaying minimal turbo lag.

Remarkably, the RDX struck a balance between fantastic handling and impressive comfort. It managed to excel around town and on the highway, providing a thrilling driving experience even on broad sweeping turns at higher speeds.

While the XT4's suspension and noise levels needed refinement, the cabin was impressively comfortable for front occupants. The test vehicle’s soft leather seats were heated, ventilated, and provided massaging functions. Even the armrests and center console sides were densely padded, and the steering wheel was heated.

Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and air conditioning vents, with roomy legroom surpassing many competitors. Yet, the flat rear seat cushion sacrificed some support.

The climate control system stood out for its rapid and effective performance, making it extremely useful during hot conditions. Elegantly arranged climate controls were both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Storage was substantial, thanks to features like umbrella holders in the front doors and an innovative angled wireless smartphone charger. However, the XT4's cargo capacity might have deterred those with substantial cargo needs, offering 22.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A hands-free power liftgate also added convenience.

The 2020 RDX pushed the boundaries of what could still be considered a compact SUV. Its spacious cabin offered comfortable, supportive seats and ample head and legroom in both rows. Finding a good driving position was effortless. Additionally, the front row had large door pockets and a center console with significant storage space. The second-row passengers enjoyed a fold-down center console with cup holders and in-door cup holders.

Cargo capacity was notably more generous than the XT4, with 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cargo area was accessible, with a good load floor height and helpful features like a handy cubby on the left side and a hidden storage compartment beneath the load floor.

Years ago, Cadillac attempted to innovate with touch-sensing controls within the CUE system, which frustrated users due to its slow responses. Fortunately, the latest version of CUE was much more user-friendly.

Our test vehicle featured a suite of modern tech amenities such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and Cadillac Connected Access services. Interaction with the CUE could be through the 8-inch touchscreen, center console controls, steering wheel buttons, or voice recognition.

However, areas for improvement remained, including the need for a larger screen, better voice integration for climate controls, and topographic reference points for center console controls.

The optional 13-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround audio system provided a satisfying listening experience. Yet, the test car lacked a head-up display (HUD) and a rear camera mirror—features only available through additional packages.

Infotainment in the 2020 RDX was one of its significant drawbacks. The widescreen system, controlled by the True Touchpad Interface near the shifter, often proved challenging to use. Unlike the more intuitive Lexus system, Acura’s setup required constant attention to ensure correct selections, and its added vertical scroller further complicated matters.

Standard tech features included Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, a 9-speaker audio system, and satellite radio. The Technology Package upgraded to more USB ports for rear seats, navigation, and the Acura ELS premium audio system—a highlight of the RDX for its exceptional sound quality. The A-Spec model included the even superior ELS Studio 3D system featuring 16 speakers.

The range-topping Advance Package added a 10.5-inch head-up display and a 360-degree surround-view camera, further enhancing the RDX's tech-savviness.

For 2020, Cadillac enhanced the XT4’s standard safety features, adding forward-collision warning, front pedestrian braking, low-speed automatic emergency braking, and the Safety Alert Seat system. These joined existing features like a rear-seat reminder and Teen Driver parental report card.

Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-change warning. The Driver Awareness Package included automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a following-distance indicator.

The Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking. A new rear pedestrian alert system was optional within the Enhanced Visibility Package, which also included a rear camera mirror, 360-degree camera, and a semi-autonomous parking assist system.

The XT4 was awarded 5-star protection by the NHTSA and received Good ratings for moderate-overlap and side-impact protection from the IIHS.

The 2020 RDX came standard with an array of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, LATCH systems, a tire pressure monitor, hill-start assist, and a rear-view camera. Comprehensive driver-assistance features were also standard, including lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow.

Additional features in the Technology Package included front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package added an even broader array of safety technology such as a 10.5-inch head-up display and a 360-degree surround-view camera with a washer nozzle for the rear-view camera.

The mechanically identical 2019 RDX earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.