2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a sleek and sophisticated appearance, indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts except for a subtle “P400e” badge on the tailgate. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, preserving the SUV's clean lines and avoiding any unnecessary styling changes. This approach was appreciated by those who valued design consistency, even though the PHEV powertrain added a significant $4,750 to the price.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the optional A-Spec Package, boasted a sporty and attractive design without excessive blacked-out trim or aggressive performance cues. The RDX A-Spec's styling changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura wisely avoided off-roading frippery, focusing instead on a design meant for daily driving and road-tripping.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of up to 31 miles of all-electric driving range, the test vehicle struggled to stay in EV mode, often defaulting to the gas-electric hybrid mode. The SUV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, which was an improvement over previous models but still left room for efficiency gains.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the RDX offered a choice between front-wheel drive and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which significantly enhanced handling. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to switch between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The RDX A-Spec's performance was further bolstered by exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, making it a fun and engaging SUV to drive.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV's higher price tag came with a trade-off in cargo space. The battery's placement under the raised cargo floor reduced the available space to 27.5 cubic feet, and items in the cargo area were prone to falling out when the tailgate was opened. However, the SUV comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The optional 4-zone automatic climate control and panoramic glass roof added to the overall comfort and appeal.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats, especially in A-Spec trim, were highly comfortable with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the rear seats lacked leg support and had an excessive recline angle, leading to a less comfortable seating position. The RDX provided 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo capacity to 58.9 cubic feet, making it a versatile and practical choice.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and could be frustrating to use, even for tech-savvy drivers. Despite spending time setting up the system, it occasionally behaved unpredictably, showing information that wasn't requested or reacting slowly to inputs. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the challenge, making it a less user-friendly experience.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the center console instead of a touchscreen. While this system aimed to reduce distraction by mirroring the screen's layout, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. However, Acura included essential features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which provided an excellent audio experience.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system in the optional Driver Assist Package. However, the SUV's higher center of gravity and adaptive air suspension could lead to head-toss over uneven pavement. The lane-keeping assist system was also found to be too abrupt, leading to the decision to turn off some of these features. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the SUV's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.

The 2021 Acura RDX came standard with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only 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.