2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Subaru Outback

Subaru had a winning formula with the Outback and aimed for incremental improvements in 2020. The sixth-gen Outback was built on Subaru’s Global Platform, boasting a 70% increase in structural rigidity. The base 2.5-liter engine, though seemingly similar to the 2019 model, had 90% new parts. For those seeking more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine from the Ascent was available in higher trims. Externally, changes were subtle, mainly noticeable in the head- and taillights. Inside, the 2020 Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen for all but the base trim, which had dual 7-inch screens. The innovative DriverFocus tech used facial recognition to adjust settings and monitor driver alertness.

The Outback was available in seven trims, starting at $26,645 for the 2.5i, which included LED headlights, keyless entry, and automatic climate control. The Premium trim, starting at $28,895, introduced the 11.6-inch touchscreen, dual-zone climate control, and heated front seats. The Limited trim, at $33,445, added blind-spot monitoring, a power liftgate, and leather upholstery. The Touring trim, priced at $37,345, offered ventilated front seats and a sunroof. The new Onyx Edition XT, starting at $34,895, featured the turbo engine, heated rear seats, and off-road capabilities. The Limited XT and Touring XT trims added the turbo engine for $37,745 and $39,695, respectively.

The 2020 RDX looked almost identical to the 2019 model, which was a positive as it was one of the best-looking vehicles in its segment. The imposing grille and rakish headlights replaced the outdated “beak” grille. 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 the appearance of a large spoiler.

Inside, the RDX featured sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery in the test model. The seats were red, creating a strong red-and-black interior aesthetic. The RDX came well-equipped with synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The Technology Package added Milano leather seating, 19-inch wheels, and additional driver-assistance features. The A-Spec Package included unique 20-inch wheels, larger exhaust outlets, and sport pedals. The Advance Package added rain-sensing wipers, 16-way power front seats, and natural Olive Ash wood trim.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an upgraded 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower, a 7-hp increase over 2019. This engine had 90% new components and direct injection, achieving 26 mpg city and 33 highway. For more power, the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine in XT trims produced 260 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in around 7 seconds. Both engines were paired with a CVT, tuned to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, minimizing the typical CVT drawbacks.

Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system was active all the time, providing consistent power delivery and reducing wear on components. The Outback’s 8.7 inches of ground clearance allowed it to handle off-road conditions, though it wasn’t a Jeep. The Onyx XT trim featured an upgraded X-Mode and hill-descent control, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Acura RDX came with a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration and a great engine note. Power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, available with front-wheel drive or SH-AWD. The Integrated Dynamics System offered Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus drive modes, adjusting throttle response, shift patterns, steering feel, and power delivery.

The RDX’s fuel economy was 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined for the A-Spec model with SH-AWD. The stop-start system, though intended to conserve fuel, could be jerky. The RDX excelled in both acceleration and handling, providing a comfortable yet performance-oriented driving experience.

The 2020 Subaru Outback offered the functional benefits of a station wagon, with 32.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expandable to 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The increased width between the rear wheels contributed to the larger interior volume. The Outback provided ample headroom and legroom, even for taller passengers. Visibility was excellent, though the rear quarters had a significant blind spot.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the limits of a “compact” SUV, offering a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. The second row 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 had 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a helpful cubby and a hidden cargo area beneath the load floor.

The 2020 Subaru Outback featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen, which was large and easy to navigate but suffered from lag. Climate-control functions were somewhat buried, and the camera resolution was subpar. Despite these issues, the screen had potential if the lag and camera resolution were addressed.

The 2020 Acura RDX’s infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad called the True Touchpad Interface. This system lacked the logic of similar systems, requiring constant attention to ensure correct selections. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but not optimized for the touchpad. The Technology Package added more USB ports, navigation, and the ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec featured the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers, while the Advance Package added a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Subaru Outback had a strong safety suite, including AWD and the EyeSight system. However, the optical nature of EyeSight meant it could be obstructed by weather conditions. The DriverFocus system, designed to alert distracted drivers, was overly sensitive and often gave false alerts, making it more of a distraction.

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 camera and a head-up display. The 2019 RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.