2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Honda CR-V

In 2021, the Honda CR-V showcased a design that, while functional, didn't stand out in a crowded marketplace. The overall styling was akin to most compact crossovers, with the industry-standard "daylight opening" window shapes making them almost indistinguishable from rivals. The CR-V did try to differentiate itself with specific design details such as its grille opening and some chromed plastic highlights, but these features were subtle.

Honda offered the CR-V in eight colors. However, this array was somewhat deceptive. Three shades were variations of gray, alongside black and white options. More vibrant choices like Obsidian Blue Pearl, Aegean Blue Metallic, and Radiant Red Metallic were confined to higher trims. At a local dealership, finding CR-Vs in these attractive colors was challenging, with a significant number available only in white, silver, or black.

Inside, the CR-V carried over a straightforward design theme with options for black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather upholstery dependent on trim levels. Higher trims included wood panels and additional chrome elements for a more upscale feel. The seat designs were angular and modern, setting a contemporary vibe. Despite these efforts, models like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson often offered more distinctive and appealing styling, particularly at mid-tier trims.

The 2022 Acura RDX saw mild but notable styling updates inspired by the larger MDX model. Changes included tweaks to the grille surround and front and rear bumper styling, as well as updated wheel designs and new paint colors. The limited-production PMC Edition, hand-built in Ohio, featured exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint with an Orchid white interior.

The A-Spec Advance package, new for 2022, added features and heightened the visual appeal of our test vehicle with Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior. This combination, priced at $53,645 including destination charges, certainly aimed to justify its cost with high-quality materials, solid build, and a quieter interior. Despite some styling quirks such as the new vertical air inlets that divided opinions, the RDX maintained a distinct flair, surpassing many others in its class.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was powered by a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across its nine trim levels (excluding hybrid models). It achieved a 0-60 mph time of around 7.8 seconds, which was respectable but not exceptional. The CR-V used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provided smooth but unengaging acceleration and cruising.

Front-wheel drive came standard, and all-wheel drive was optional. The vehicle's unitized body structure, combined with a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, ensured decent handling and ride quality. Nevertheless, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, with their eight-speed automatic transmissions and sport modes on higher trims, offered a more engaging driving experience. Similarly, models like the Subaru Forester featured standard all-wheel drive, giving them an edge in practicality.

The 2022 Acura RDX boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This powertrain, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided a peppy and responsive driving experience. However, fuel economy suffered under enthusiastic driving conditions, averaging 20.6 mpg against an EPA rating of 23 mpg.

Front-wheel drive was standard on the base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the SH-AWD system, with torque vectoring, was standard on the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages. This drivetrain technology significantly enhanced cornering performance and overall driveability, especially on twisty roads. The reworked adaptive damping system and standard Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) further improved ride quality and responsiveness.

Designed with functionality in mind, the 2021 Honda CR-V offered ample space for passengers and their gear. It provided 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing the Toyota RAV4 by four cubic feet. With the rear seats up, the CR-V offered more cargo space than its main rivals. With the rear seats folded, this volume expanded to 75.8 cubic feet, accommodating significant amounts of luggage.

Access to the rear cargo area varied by trim. While lower trims required manual operation, higher trims like the EX-L offered a power-operated tailgate, and the Touring trim included a hands-free version activated by waving your foot under the bumper. Although this feature was useful theoretically, practical operation could sometimes prove finicky.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, featured a spacious interior capable of comfortably seating four adults along with their luggage, all beneath a standard panoramic sunroof. The RDX's interior design focused on a sporty driving position, with a dramatic placement of the IDS driving mode knob on the center dashboard.

However, the control layout, including the complex True Touchpad Interface (TTI) and unusual transmission buttons, required a learning curve. The back seat, though less comfortable than the front, provided a flat-folding feature for optimized cargo space – offering 29.5 cubic feet with seats up and expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with them down. This provided generous storage options, with additional hidden compartments under the load floor.

The basic CR-V LX was equipped with a modest 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while all other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additionally, advanced trims included features such as SMS text messaging, SiriusXM, and HD radio.

Audio systems varied by trim, with the base system in the Special Edition and EX featuring 180 watts across six speakers. The EX-L trim added two speakers, and the Touring trim offered a 300-watt system with an included subwoofer. Most trims provided a variety of charging ports, and the Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The Acura RDX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) paired a 10.2-inch display screen with a touchpad controller. This non-standard input method often required adjustment and learning, which proved more distracting to drivers compared to regular touchscreens. Despite this complexity, features like Amazon Alexa Built-In, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration mitigated some of the system's usability challenges.

The RDX offered a range of audio systems from a nine-speaker setup in the base model, a 12-speaker ELS Studio system in the Technology package, to a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system available in higher trims. Additional tech features included a wireless charging pad, satellite radio, and a head-up display in the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it didn't achieve the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to its headlights and newer side crash test results.

Honda's comprehensive approach to safety included making advanced safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high beams standard across all trims. The only omission in the base LX was blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, included from the EX trim upwards.

For the 2022 RDX, Acura added structural upgrades to enhance side-impact safety and new features like a rear seatbelt reminder. The AcuraWatch system also saw improvements, adding pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. In higher trims, front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking provided additional safety.

The adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems were mostly reliable, though occasional false alerts and overzealous steering corrections were noted during specific driving conditions. The 2022 RDX received a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal impact and rollover resistance categories, complementing its five-star side-impact ratings.