2021 Acura RDX vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was reminiscent of a classic approach to SUV design, where Chevy focused on styling details to distinguish between trim levels. Its exterior was a typical SUV silhouette with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a large grille, appealing to buyers seeking a clean and handsome design. While it might not have had the personality of the Ford Explorer or Kia Telluride, or the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9, the Traverse's restrained styling allowed for cosmetic elements to shine across different trims. The RS model featured blacked-out trim, while the High Country model boasted chrome accents. The Traverse shared its platform with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6, but it aimed for a more accessible feel. Inside, the Traverse offered a restrained design with an optional Dual SkyScape sunroof, and while materials were decent, they didn't quite match the vehicle's price tag.

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the A-Spec Package, was a visually appealing SUV that conveyed sportiness without excessive performance cues. Acura avoided off-road styling elements, focusing instead on a design meant for daily driving and road trips. The RDX A-Spec sat in the middle of the trim hierarchy, with prices starting at $38,200 and climbing to $47,625 with the SH-AWD system and additional features. The interior of the RDX A-Spec was sporty, featuring front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. While the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read, the overall cabin delivered a unique look and feel. The RDX's interior was not typical of compact crossovers, offering quality materials and a form-over-function approach to controls.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, though it lacked agility on twisty roads. Its AWD system required manual activation and could send torque to individual wheels, but this capability wasn't noticeable during driving. The Traverse offered off-road and tow/haul modes, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which was average for the segment.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The SH-AWD system, available for an additional cost, significantly improved handling by distributing up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered driving modes like Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. A-Spec models had exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, enhancing handling. While the RDX A-Spec lacked adaptive dampers, it was still rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes. The turbo engine's broad torque curve and the SH-AWD system made the RDX genuinely fun to drive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, providing 23.0 cubic feet with all seats up, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on lower trims and standard on higher ones. Despite its size, the Traverse was limited in interior storage options, typical of midsize crossovers.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in the A-Spec trim. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. Cargo volume was competitive, with 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The RDX also featured a deep storage well and three separate compartments under the cargo floor for organization. Acura quoted a maximum cargo volume of 79.8 cubic feet, but this figure was based on an unrealistic loading method.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. It also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. USB ports were standard for each row, but wireless phone charging was only available on higher trims.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad instead of a touchscreen. The TTI mirrored the screen, allowing drivers to control functions by touching corresponding areas on the pad. While it was an improvement over Lexus's approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX offered smartphone projection, voice recognition, and Key by Amazon In-Car Delivery. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D audio system, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests and five stars in side-impact tests. The Traverse offered fewer standard driver-assist features than competitors, with many safety technologies available only as options.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available with the Technology Package. The RDX lacked some features found in the TLX sedan, such as pedestrian detection and Traffic Jam Assist. Despite this, the RDX's safety systems were refined and user-friendly. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal-impact and rollover tests.