2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a more refined and athletic design compared to its predecessors. Its 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, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown, with materials that felt cheap and unworthy of the vehicle's price tag. The leather felt like low-grade vinyl, and the abundance of hard plastic detracted from the overall experience. Despite some nice touches like aluminum speaker covers and white stitching, the interior failed to match the exterior's upscale appearance.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the A-Spec Package, was a good-looking SUV that conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. The RDX avoided the rugged off-roading look, focusing instead on a sleek and modern design. Inside, the A-Spec trim added sporty touches like simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. The quality materials and thoughtful design made the RDX's cabin feel more luxurious and sporty. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read, except at night.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive chassis that provided a balanced and nimble driving experience. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth and addictive power, making the Explorer ST a standout in its class. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 horsepower and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 horsepower. Towing capacity varied from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine and drivetrain. The Explorer's seven drive modes allowed for optimal performance in various conditions.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the optional SH-AWD system enhanced the RDX's handling and driving dynamics. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The RDX A-Spec's 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires contributed to its sporty handling, though the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching for the transmission were notable omissions. Despite these drawbacks, the RDX was rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space and practicality. On a road trip to Maine, it provided ample room for passengers and cargo, with 18 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The second row felt like first class, thanks to air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof. The third row was spacious enough for adults on short journeys, though the bench was too flat for long-distance comfort. 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 2021 Acura RDX offered remarkable passenger and cargo space for a compact SUV. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in the A-Spec trim. However, the rear seats lacked leg support and had too much recline angle, making them less comfortable. Cargo space measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor. While not class-leading, the RDX's cargo area was practical and versatile.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The touchscreen was user-friendly, though the instrument panel felt unfinished and lacked customization options. Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist+ provided semi-automated driving features, though it was not as refined as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad instead of a touchscreen. While an improvement over Lexus's similar system, TTI still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included physical knobs and buttons for climate and stereo controls, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The A-Spec trim came with a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, 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 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with AcuraWatch, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were available with the Technology Package. The RDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal impact and rollover resistance.