2021 Acura RDX vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander had a design that was more about function than flair. Its exterior featured a trapezoidal theme, with a slanted tailgate glass and exaggerated body panel creases. The higher trims, Limited and Platinum, boasted projector-beam LED headlights, fog lights, and new 20-inch wheels. The interior, however, was where the Highlander shined. It offered quality fit and finish, with silver-painted accents, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim had a three-tone interior with padded surfaces and rich textures, making it one of the nicest interiors in its class.

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the A-Spec Package, was a stylish SUV that conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. It avoided off-roading design cues, focusing instead on a sleek, daily-driving aesthetic. The A-Spec trim added front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. The interior was sporty and high-quality, with a thick-rimmed steering wheel and unique gauges. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read, except at night.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its soft suspension led to a floaty ride. However, it offered a calm and isolating driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel economy was commendable, with the FWD model rated at 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive, with the option for the SH-AWD system. The SH-AWD system improved handling by delivering up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered four driving modes: Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response and steering effort. The A-Spec trim had 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, enhancing its sporty feel. However, it lacked adaptive dampers, leading to some body motion on uneven roads.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander could seat eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander offered three-zone climate control, a 120-volt outlet, and a panoramic moonroof on the Platinum trim. Cargo space was ample, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior featured eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash. The infotainment system was simple but could use a software update.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, 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, leading to an uncomfortable seating position. Cargo space measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The trunk had a deep storage well and three separate compartments under the cargo floor. The RDX's infotainment system, True Touchpad Interface, was not user-friendly and required a learning curve.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured an outdated infotainment system with low-resolution screens and a convoluted process for using onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen was not fully utilized, and the maps lacked detail. However, it came with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Highlander also had a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster. Safety features included adaptive cruise control, road sign detection, and automatic high beams. The optional JBL audio system had 11 speakers but was not exceptional.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface, which mirrored the screen's layout on a touchpad. This system was an improvement over Lexus's approach but still distracting. The RDX offered physical knobs and buttons for stereo and climate controls, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which sounded terrific. However, the infotainment system's complexity detracted from the overall experience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander earned a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and had not yet been rated by the NHTSA.

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. 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 stars for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.