2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson had a more conventional design compared to its futuristic successor. It featured an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road. Inside, the Tucson boasted a modern and attractive dash design, seamlessly integrating tech features into the overall aesthetic. Every button and dial was easy to find, making the interior user-friendly.

Trim levels for the 2021 Tucson included SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, a digital driver information display, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, roof rails, and more luxurious interior options such as leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Acura RDX had subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, including updates to the grille surround and bumper styling. The limited-production PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included the base model and packages named Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance, with prices ranging from $42,300 to $53,300, excluding destination charges.

Our test vehicle featured the new-for-2022 A-Spec Advance package, which included high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter cabin. The RDX demonstrated more flair for style than many of its rivals, despite some controversial design elements like the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson had a comfortable and refined ride, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. The 2.0-liter engine allowed for a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds, while the 2.4-liter engine increased this to 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, provided an enjoyable driving experience. However, heavy-footed drivers would find it challenging to achieve the EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg, as our test averaged 20.6 mpg.

The RDX offered standard FWD with the base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This torque-vectoring AWD system enhanced driving dynamics, especially on winding roads. The 2022 RDX also featured a revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and re-tuned adaptive-damping suspension, providing a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. Higher trims included a hands-free power liftgate for added convenience.

Despite its compact layout, the Tucson offered solid front-seat headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seats even on long trips. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The Tucson also featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage, with helpful trays for the driver’s essentials.

The 2022 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, all beneath a standard panoramic sunroof. The RDX emphasized a sporty driving position and featured a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard. However, the control layout required a learning curve, especially with the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system.

The RDX’s standard 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation. The thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel, new for 2022, was pleasant to hold and available with a heated rim. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, and Iconic Drive ambient lighting was available on all but the base trim.

The back seat of the RDX was less comfortable, feeling flat and lacking support. Heated rear seat cushions were available on some models. The RDX featured a standard power liftgate with available hands-free operation, revealing 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, pairing a 10.2-inch display screen with a sectioned touchpad controller. This system required a learning curve, as it introduced a direct one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and the screen. Despite its complexity, users could acclimate to it over time.

The 2022 RDX also included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Standard features included satellite radio and AcuraLink connected services with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Technology package and higher trims added a navigation system.

Three premium sound systems were available: a nine-speaker setup in the base RDX, a 12-speaker system by ELS Studio in the Technology package, and an impressive ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system with 16 speakers in higher trims. The Advance and A-Spec Advance packages also included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades to improve side-impact safety, aiming to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder system and enhancements to the standard AcuraWatch collection, such as pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking.

In testing, AcuraWatch's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were mostly accurate but not as refined as some rivals. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings, and five-star side-impact ratings.