2021 Acura RDX vs 2021 Ford Edge

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the A-Spec Package, presented a sleek and sporty appearance without excessive blacked-out trim or aggressive performance cues. Its design changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided giving the RDX an off-road look, focusing instead on its role as a daily driver and road-tripper. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's hierarchy, with a base price starting at $38,200 and climbing to $47,625 with additional packages and features. Inside, the A-Spec offered a sporty ambiance with unique materials and design elements, though the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford Edge maintained a consistent design since its 2019 refresh, which successfully integrated Ford's current styling with the existing Edge body. The Edge offered a cleaner look compared to competitors like the Chevy Blazer and Hyundai Santa Fe. The Titanium trim added chrome accents, while the ST trim featured a blacked-out grille and sporty body kit. Inside, the Edge's design showed its age, with awkward tweaks to accommodate new features like a larger touchscreen. The Titanium model boasted leather upholstery, while the ST model included sporty seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with contrast stitching.

The 2021 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and standard front-wheel drive, with the option for the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The SH-AWD system significantly improved handling by distributing up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels and 100% of that to either rear wheel. The RDX offered various driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim included exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, enhancing its handling capabilities. Despite some body motion on uneven roads, the RDX A-Spec was enjoyable to drive, with precise steering and effective brakes.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It came with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Edge ST model offered a more powerful EcoBoost twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard all-wheel drive and model-specific suspension tuning. The Edge ST also had an optional package with upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels. While the Edge ST aimed to compete with performance SUVs like the Porsche Macan, it fell short of that benchmark. However, it provided a refined driving experience, with respectable towing capacities ranging from 3,958 to 4,525 pounds, depending on the model.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space, making it a great value. The front seats were notably comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in the A-Spec trim. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to the need for a low and flat cargo floor, resulting in a lack of leg support and an uncomfortable seating position. The RDX's cargo space measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, with additional storage compartments for organization. Despite not being class-leading, the cargo area was practical for most needs.

The 2021 Ford Edge provided competitive interior space, with the most rear-seat headroom among midsize crossovers and ample legroom in both rows. It offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 73.4 cubic feet with them folded, trailing only the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Edge featured a foot-activated power liftgate on higher trims and a rotary shift knob to free up console space, though the narrow console limited storage options.

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 it aimed to improve upon Lexus's similar system, it required users to retrain their brains to operate it effectively. The TTI mirrored the screen, allowing for more intuitive control, but it still posed a distraction risk. The RDX included features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration, along with a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D audio system in the A-Spec trim.

The 2021 Ford Edge featured the latest Sync 4 infotainment system, with a 12-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also included Bluetooth, SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Edge ST trim came with a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Sync 4 system was praised for its simple graphics and user-friendly menu layouts, making it easy for new users to navigate.

The 2021 Acura RDX came equipped 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 stars in frontal-impact and rollover resistance tests.

The 2021 Ford Edge was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick," with top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. It received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The Edge included standard safety features like automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and Evasive Steering Assist.