2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Lexus RX

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. Inside, it featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, though the center console design was considered bland and dated. Lexus offered the RX in five variants, including the base RX and RX Hybrid, the performance-focused RX F Sport, and the extended-body RXL and RXL Hybrid with third-row seating. The exterior boasted standard 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The F Sport Appearance package added unique styling elements and performance dampers. The interior was well-appointed with standard features like NuLuxe-trimmed seats and a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, with available upgrades including semi-aniline leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured 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 option packages like Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance, with prices ranging from $42,300 to $53,300. The A-Spec Advance package, tested with Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, offered high-quality materials, solid build quality, and a quieter interior. Despite some reservations about the new vertical air inlets, the RDX maintained a stylish flair compared to its rivals.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The front-wheel-drive RX 350 was the most fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel drive and the RXL model reduced combined fuel economy by 1 mpg. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid, with a 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors, produced 308 horsepower and managed 29-31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The RX's suspension and handling adjustments made it more dynamic, with the F Sport Handling package adding adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX reached 60 mph in 7.7-7.9 seconds, with a top speed of 124 mph, while the RX Hybrid matched the 0-60 time but had a top speed of 112 mph.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The RDX's enjoyable driving character was enhanced by the quick-spooling turbo-four, though heavy-footed driving reduced fuel economy from the EPA-rated 23 mpg to an average of 20.6 mpg. Front-wheel drive was standard on base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could deliver up to 70 percent of power to a single rear wheel. The revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and adaptive-damping suspension provided a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX's quieter ride and driving dynamics made it a comfortable and communicative SUV, though it didn't qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a functional SUV with seating for five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h, and seating for six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid. Front-seat occupants enjoyed ample space, while the second row was also comfortable for adults. The third row in the RXL models was tight for any age. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2022 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof. The interior emphasized a sporty driving position and featured a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard. The control layout required a learning curve, with transmission buttons and the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. The standard 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation. The back seat, however, was less comfortable, feeling flat and lacking support. The RDX offered a standard power liftgate with available hands-free operation, revealing 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space and hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor. Folding the back seat down created 58.9 cubic feet of cargo area.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touch aspect of the infotainment screen worked well, though the system was not the easiest to use. The Remote Touch controller allowed drivers to use a touchpad instead of the touchscreen, but it was not as refined as Acura's system and took up valuable console space. The RX did not offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system with a 10.2-inch display screen and a sectioned touchpad controller. The TTI required a learning curve, as it involved matching finger location on the touchpad with the cursor location on the screen. Despite its complexity, the TTI became more natural to use over time. The RDX 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 a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Technology package added a navigation system. Three premium sound systems were available: a nine-speaker setup in the base RDX, a 12-speaker system in the Technology package, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system in higher packages. The Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring all Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid, with longer bodies, were not tested by IIHS. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall, and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX had two complete sets of LATCH connectors in the rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, aiming to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS, though ratings for the 2022 model were not yet published. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder system and enhancements to the standard AcuraWatch suite, adding pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Technology package and higher trims included front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. AcuraWatch's adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were mostly accurate but not as smooth 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.