2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Acura RDX

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and giving it a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and rough-grained plastic dominating the cabin. The switchgear felt solid, but the overall interior quality did not match the price, making it feel either too expensive or not luxurious enough.

The 2020 Acura RDX, on the other hand, maintained its sharp, precise styling from the previous year, which was a good thing. The beamy, imposing grille and rakish headlights gave it a strong presence. The large logo within the grille, though comical, worked within the overall design. The upper character line swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line, giving it a dynamic appearance. Inside, the RDX featured eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a strong, contrasting red-and-black interior aesthetic. The cabin was well-equipped with 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, larger exhaust outlets, and a diamond pattern grille, while the Advance Package included rain-sensing wipers, heated rear seats, and ambient cabin lighting.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, providing a more balanced weight distribution. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The ST's powertrain delivered smooth, uninterrupted power, and the suspension and steering upgrades made it a nimble machine with superb brake feel. The 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine, producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, was also a strong performer. The hybrid option, however, did not offer significant fuel economy benefits. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine. The vehicle also featured seven drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its versatility.

The 2020 Acura RDX came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration and a great engine note. The 10-speed automatic transmission managed power well, contributing to both fuel economy and performance. The RDX offered multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, which adjusted throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel. The SH-AWD system further enhanced handling and performance. The RDX's fuel economy was decent, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. The vehicle's handling was fantastic, offering a comfortable ride while remaining performance-oriented.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample interior space, making it a comfortable choice for long trips. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof, creating a first-class feel. The third row was more spacious than previous models, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short journeys. The cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it easy to use, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras were drawbacks.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the limits of a compact SUV, offering a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. The second row also provided great headroom and decent legroom. The front row had space for large water bottles and a pass-through cargo tray with a USB port. The second row featured a fold-down center console with cup holders. The RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a helpful cubby and a hidden cargo area under the load floor.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The Premium Technology Package added a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. However, the instrument panel lacked customization options, and the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system was not as effective as competitors' systems.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad that was difficult to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the touchpad negated their simplicity. The Technology Package added navigation, real-time traffic updates, 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 included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking. The Explorer had not been fully tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

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. 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.