2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the optional A-Spec Package, was a stylish SUV. Its subtle yet effective design changes conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided making the RDX look like an off-roader, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping capabilities. The A-Spec trim added sporty interior features like front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and unique gauges, although the red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 had a mix of Cadillac’s trademark design cues, such as a bold grille and vertical taillights, but its compact footprint and tall profile made it look somewhat ungainly. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had different exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, especially with the optional Platinum Package, felt luxurious but lacked a strong design theme, making it less distinctive compared to other luxury brands.

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 an optional SH-AWD system, which significantly improved handling. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim included 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, enhancing its sporty feel, although it lacked adaptive dampers.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided linear power delivery and smooth shifts, making it suitable for everyday driving. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which provided excellent body control and a comfortable ride. The steering was well-suited for a luxury vehicle, and the cabin was impressively quiet.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats were highly comfortable with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. However, the rear seats lacked leg support and had too much recline angle, making them less comfortable. The cargo area measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favorably to German luxury crossovers in terms of interior space. It had more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class but less than the BMW X3. The XT5 offered more legroom in both rows but had less comfortable seats. The cargo space was 30 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, beating its German rivals but trailing the Infiniti QX50. The XT5 also featured a hands-free power liftgate and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen for additional storage.

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 mirrored the screen and was an improvement over Lexus’s approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display. While the touchscreen was easy to navigate, the array of secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were not user-friendly. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Acura RDX came standard 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, although it received four stars in frontal-impact and rollover resistance tests.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning as standard. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in rollover crash testing.