2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX aimed to strike a balance between sporty and understated design, particularly with the optional A-Spec Package. The styling changes didn’t overwhelm it with blacked-out trim or excessive performance design cues. This subtle approach gave it sporty aesthetics without overpromising on acceleration and handling. Acura avoided off-road styling, focusing instead on a look suited for daily driving and road-tripping, rather than appearing rugged with oversized skid plates or bulging fender flares.

Positioned mid-hierarchy in the RDX trim levels, the A-Spec Package elevated the base price from $38,200 to $44,100, and with additional features like the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) and Platinum White paint, the full package amounted to $47,625, including destination charges.

Inside, the A-Spec Package added distinctive touches such as front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, dark brushed aluminum trim, red stitching, and red ambient lighting. However, the gauge cluster received mixed reviews for its red markings on a silver background, which proved difficult to read during the daytime.

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased the epitome of Lexus's modern design aesthetic, featuring a large grille, angular headlamps, a well-sculpted body, and a floating roof. Inside, it provided sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, although the center console was criticized for its bland appearance.

Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, each targeting different customer needs—from the sporty RX F Sport to the extended RXL versions with third-row seating. The RX's 2021 design remained consistent with subtle updates made in 2020, including elongated headlights and a redesigned front end to avoid the criticized look of earlier models.

Standard exterior features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lights, and integrated rear spoilers. Optional enhancements consisted of 20-inch wheels, triple-beam LED headlights, and a windshield wiper de-icer. The F Sport Appearance package added exclusive styling elements like F Sport wheels and badging, making the RX look more aggressive.

Overall, the Acura RDX focused on a sportier, understated interior and exterior, while the Lexus RX leaned more luxury with its bold, modern exterior and refined interior.

In 2021, the Acura RDX came with 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 front-wheel drive as standard, while the SH-AWD system added a significant performance improvement. This system could channel up to 70% of engine power to the rear wheels and then distribute 100% of that to either wheel, enhancing handling and making the RDX more fun to drive.

The RDX’s Integrated Dynamics System offered driving modes like Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness (in Advance Package models). The A-Spec model came with exclusive Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels and 255/45 performance tires, contributing to its sportiness, though adaptive dampers from the Advance Package would have been a welcome addition.

Despite minor drawbacks, such as body motion on uneven roads and lack of rev-matching in Sport+ mode, the RDX remained satisfying to drive, with its powerful broad-torque engine, responsive steering, and confident brakes.

The 2021 Lexus RX was powered by a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered a smooth driving experience, although the transmission sometimes hesitated under acceleration. The RX preferred 91 octane fuel for optimal performance.

Fuel-efficient for its class, the front-wheel-drive RX 350 managed 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive version saw slightly lower figures. The RX Hybrid models, driven by a combined 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors, produced 308 horsepower and offered impressive fuel efficiency, ranging from 29 to 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The RX benefited from suspension and handling tweaks, providing a planted feel in corners with AWD and smooth maneuverability at low speeds. The F Sport Handling package included adaptive variable suspension, enhancing the driving experience with more aggressive characteristics.

Despite its comfort and solid performance, the RX did not match the high-speed capabilities of competitors like the Audi SQ5. Its zero-to-60 mph times were 7.9 seconds for the AWD model and 7.7 seconds for the FWD model, with a top speed of 124 mph. The RX Hybrid matched the acceleration figures but had a lower top speed of 112 mph.

The 2021 Acura RDX, positioned as a compact SUV, offered exceptional passenger and cargo space, making it a standout value. The front seats were particularly comfortable, featuring 12-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation in the A-Spec trim. For rear-seat passengers, however, the low and flat rear cushion design compromised comfort, forcing an awkward sitting posture without much leg support.

Storage inside the cabin was ample but not perfectly accessible, with a large tray under the center console that was challenging to reach while driving. The cargo area, though not class-leading, was practical. The RDX provided 29.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with seats folded. Additional storage compartments beneath the cargo floor further added to its utility. Acura’s maximum cargo volume figure stood at 79.8 cubic feet, though this number hinged on a rather impractical loading configuration.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus RX focused on functionality across its various configurations. The two-row RX models seated five comfortably, with spacious front and second-row seats. However, the three-row RXL versions offered tighter third-row seating, more suitable for children than adults.

Cargo space in the RX 350 and RX 450h measured 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The RXL models provided just 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, with a maximum of 58.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Compared to the Acura RDX, the Lexus RX had less cargo space but offered the additional third-row seating option for larger families.

Both models featured power liftgates, though the Lexus offered a hands-free option, adding convenience during loading and unloading.

In 2021, Acura introduced its True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system for the RDX, a non-touchscreen setup using a touch-sensing pad on the center console. This system mirrored screen positions on the pad, intending to be intuitive but requiring drivers to acclimate to its unique functionality. Despite being an improvement over similar systems from Lexus, TTI still posed distractions and occasional input mistakes.

Standard tech included physical knobs and buttons for stereo and climate controls, smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The A-Spec trim featured a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering a variety of tech features, such as dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a nine-speaker sound system. Higher trims offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, additional USB ports, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

While the touch functionality worked well, the Lexus infotainment system wasn't the most user-friendly or quick to navigate. It also retained the Remote Touch controller, taking up valuable console space and challenging some users. Key drawbacks included the absence of wireless smartphone integration, making it less competitive compared to newer systems.

In terms of safety, the 2021 Acura RDX came equipped with the AcuraWatch suite, featuring 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 required upgrading to the Technology Package. The RDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings were four stars.

The 2021 Lexus RX also showcased strong safety credentials, receiving a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS with all Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The NHTSA awarded various RX models four out of five stars overall and a perfect five-star rating for side-impact crashworthiness.

Standard safety features in the RX included 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite added advanced features like a pre-collision system, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Though comprehensive, it lacked the hands-off driving technologies found in some rivals.