2021 Acura RDX vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to the Ford lineup, designed as a smaller sibling to the rugged Bronco. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of the classic Bronco, with a unibody construction aimed at providing a balance between suburban daily driving and weekend adventures. The Bronco Sport's design included short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body, all contributing to its off-road capabilities. The front grille and tailgate prominently displayed the "BRONCO" name, with a smaller "SPORT" postscript, and the Ford blue oval appeared modestly on the tailgate.

The Bronco Sport's wheels varied by trim level, with options ranging from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch machined-face aluminum Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks model. The interior was rugged yet tasteful, featuring an uncluttered design with unique HVAC vent shapes and an 8-inch infotainment screen. Interior trim levels progressed from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, and the First Edition model boasted Navy Pier Leather power front seats. The cargo area was designed with practicality in mind, offering rubberized flooring and a variety of storage options.

The 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the A-Spec Package, was a stylish SUV that conveyed sportiness without excessive performance design cues. It avoided off-roading features like oversized skid plates and bulging fender flares, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping. The A-Spec Package added subtle yet effective styling changes, including front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, dark brushed aluminum trim, and red ambient cabin lighting. The RDX A-Spec's interior was sporty and high-quality, with a thick-rimmed steering wheel and unique gauges, though the red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read.

The RDX A-Spec's exterior and interior design delivered a sporty look and feel, with quality materials and a form-over-function approach to some controls. The A-Spec Package included 20-inch Shark Gray alloy wheels with larger, lower-profile performance all-season tires, enhancing handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers in the A-Spec model resulted in some body motion on uneven roads. Despite these minor drawbacks, the RDX A-Spec was rewarding to drive, thanks to its turbo engine's broad torque curve, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices tied to trim levels. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks models featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models came with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models had an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes (Go Over Any Type of Terrain).

The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, four-wheel independent suspension, generous suspension travel, and decent ground clearance. On-road, it had good manners, with the 2.0-liter engine being better suited to the vehicle's character. The 1.5-liter engine, while adequate, could sound strained when pushed hard.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 rpm to 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and front-wheel drive was standard, with the option to add the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system. The SH-AWD system improved handling by delivering up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels and 100% of that share to either rear wheel.

The RDX's 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 models had exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, enhancing handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers in the A-Spec model resulted in some body motion on uneven roads. Despite this, the RDX A-Spec was fun to drive, with predictable handling, precise steering, and a broad torque curve.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered practical features for active buyers, including cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford provided a catalog of over 100 factory and aftermarket accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could hold up to 150 pounds (100 with a moonroof), and the 2.0-liter engine could tow up to 2,200 pounds, while the 1.5-liter engine could tow 2,000 pounds.

The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, a 400-watt inverter, and liftgate floodlamps. The front cabin had ample storage compartments, including big door pockets and multiple cubbies. However, taller drivers might find it challenging to see past the roof overhang when on-road, and the bulges in the hood could obscure the trail view when off-road.

The 2021 Acura RDX offered remarkable passenger and cargo space for a compact SUV. 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 the need to maximize utility, resulting in a lack of leg support and an uncomfortable recline angle.

Storage space in the RDX could be better, with a large tray under the center console panel that was not easily accessible while driving. The cargo area measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, with a deep storage well and three separate compartments under the cargo floor. Folding the rear seats provided 58.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which was competitive but not class-leading. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 79.8 cubic feet, though this measurement was based on moving the front seats all the way forward.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also offered Ford+Alexa and SiriusXM capability, with FordConnect providing a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The base audio system was an AM/FM stereo with six speakers, while a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology provided a cruise-control-like feature for off-roading.

The Bronco Sport also included intelligent access with push-button start on all trims except the Base model. Higher trims featured heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels and a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel.

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. The TTI mirrored the screen, making it easier to use once drivers retrained their brains. However, it still required drivers to look at the screen to confirm commands, which could be distracting.

Acura offered smartphone projection with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Home integration. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which sounded terrific.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane centering, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system. Trailer sway control was included with the tow package. AWD and a terrain management system with G.O.A.T. modes were standard on all models. Crash-worthiness ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available.

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 IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.