2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

In 2021, the Mazda CX-5 took a different route compared to its competitors, opting for a more fluid, sleek design as opposed to sharply creased hoods and chiseled grilles. This decision gave the CX-5 a slippery, streamlined appearance even when stationary. While it wasn’t a hot shot in the design department, it carried a certain stylish charm that set it apart from others.

The base Mazda CX-5 Sport came equipped with automatic LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Moving up to the Touring trim, the features expanded to include rear privacy glass, leatherette seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, two rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and auto-leveling LED headlights that adjusted direction based on steering. These headlights proved particularly useful for night driving through neighborhoods or winding rural roads.

The 2021 model year also introduced the Touring Preferred SV Package for the Touring trim, adding a 10-speaker Bose sound system, leather seats, a power liftgate, power moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, six-way power-adjustable passenger seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory positioning.

Mazda's Carbon Edition merged Touring and the Touring Preferred SV Package features with exclusive elements like Polymetal Gray paint, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels. The interior was accented with red leather seats and black honeycomb trim on the dashboard and door panels, coupled with red stitching on the steering wheel and shift knob.

Continuing up the trim ladder, the Grand Touring model built upon the Touring’s offerings with dual heated mirrors, 19-inch brilliant silver aluminum alloy wheels, LED taillights, fog lights, daytime running lights, a power liftgate, steering wheel paddle shifters, a 7-inch digital gauge display, and SiriusXM.

The Grand Touring Reserve added luxurious touches like ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic folding door mirrors, and a windshield wiper de-icer. But it was the Signature trim that truly rivaled premium brands with its Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats, genuine wood trim, frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient lighting, a black headliner, and 19-inch silver aluminum alloy wheels. The fit and finish in the Signature were exceptional, pushing it into a premium segment. The interior materials were above average compared to other compact crossovers.

Looking at the 2022 Acura RDX, one had to pay close attention to notice the subtle styling updates. Acura tweaked the grille surround and the front and rear bumper styling, drawing inspiration from its larger MDX model. The wheel designs and paint colors were also refreshed. Exclusive to the RDX was the limited-production PMC Edition, available in Long Beach Blue Pearl paint with an Orchid white interior.

Under the hood of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 Sport resided a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, regardless of whether regular or premium fuel was used. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift and sport modes. Front-wheel drive (FWD) came standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available.

The CX-5 Touring shared this base engine. However, buyers of the Carbon Edition could choose between this unit or a more powerful 250-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 320 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel. This engine, also mated to a six-speed automatic, was standard on the Grand Touring Reserve and Signature trims, which could only be had with AWD.

In terms of fuel efficiency, a FWD CX-5 with the base engine achieved 25 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. Switching to AWD slightly reduced these figures to 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. Models with the turbocharged engine showed marginally lower efficiency, with FWD configurations at 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, and AWD models at 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. While these numbers were satisfactory, they lagged behind some rivals offering hybrid options.

The turbocharged engine ensured a vigorous drive, especially in Sport mode, and the CX-5's engaging driving dynamics provided an enjoyable experience, though the suspension's stiffness could detract from comfort. Though not as agile as its smaller sibling, the CX-30, the CX-5 remained a fun drive, particularly on winding roads.

The 2022 Acura RDX came equipped with 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 allowed for quick power delivery and contributed to the RDX's enjoyable driving nature. However, aggressive driving resulted in fuel economy figures falling short of the EPA rating of 23 mpg, as our testing yielded only 20.6 mpg on average.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered a seating design conducive to comfort and style, but it had its limitations. While headroom was ample in both rows, rear-seat legroom could be cramped, especially with tall front-seat occupants. The SUV featured two full LATCH connections on the rear outboard seats and a tether connection on the rear middle seat, ensuring adequate functionality for child seat installations.

Climate controls in the CX-5 were straightforward and easy to use, sticking to Mazda's traditional design without unnecessary complexity. However, a larger gear shifter consumed more passenger space compared to modern compact SUVs, which often used more space-efficient electronic shifters. The infotainment system's controls, positioned behind the shifter, could be a reach for shorter drivers.

Cargo capacity was one of the CX-5's weak points. It offered 30.9 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 59.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down, below average for the segment. Competitors like the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, and Honda CR-V provided significantly more cargo space. A power liftgate was available to ease access to the cargo area.

The 2022 Acura RDX, while a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with everyone enjoying a panoramic sunroof. The sporty driving position and dramatic placement of the oversized IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard added to its appeal.

However, the control layout required some acclimation. From transmission buttons and switches beneath the IDS knob to the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) for infotainment system control, the setup was unconventional. Additionally, A-Spec trims used metallic gauge faces with red markings, difficult to read in low light.

Despite these quirks, the RDX was generally user-friendly. Standard 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats were comfortable, while available ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel (new for 2022) enhanced comfort. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, and Iconic Drive ambient lighting was available on all but the base trim.

The back seat was less impressive, feeling flat and lacking support, likely an attempt to ensure a flat cargo load floor when folded. Adults might find it uncomfortable, though heated rear seat cushions were an option.

Around back, the RDX featured a standard power liftgate with hands-free operation. With the back seat up, cargo space measured 29.5 cubic feet, and with the seat down, it expanded to 58.9 cubic feet. Hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor added to its versatility.

The A-Spec Advance package in our test vehicle, finished in Apex Blue Pearl paint and featuring an Orchid white interior, priced it at $53,645, including a destination charge. This steep price was somewhat justified by the high-quality materials, solid build quality, and a quieter interior compared to previous models. Although the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia received mixed reviews, the RDX still showcased a flair for style uncommon among its rivals.

For 2022, Acura refined the IDS, enhancing the distinctions between driving modes, and re-tuned the adaptive-damping suspension for improved comfort in Comfort mode and better responsiveness in Sport mode. Additionally, added sound insulation and Active Sound Control enhancements made for a quieter ride.

The RDX's driving dynamics shone, with features like comfortable seats, a thick steering wheel, a torquey engine, and the SH-AWD system providing a gratifying driving experience. It was commendable in daily driving scenarios, though it fell short of earning Acura's Type S performance badge, unlike German competitors like the Audi SQ5, BMW X3 M40i, and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43.

Every 2021 Mazda CX-5 included a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While the screen size was commendable, the operating system left much to be desired. The interface, though uncluttered, appeared outdated and was cumbersome to use via the central knob.

Absent knobs for tuning the stereo or scrolling through favorites meant relying on the steering wheel or center console controls for volume adjustment. Additionally, reaching the touchscreen was a stretch, particularly for shorter drivers. Despite these challenges, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration provided a workaround, allowing users to control their media more easily through their smartphones.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI), pairing a 10.2-inch display screen with a sectioned touchpad controller on the center console. This setup required the user to match finger touches on the pad with the corresponding screen location. While the concept aimed for direct interaction, it introduced unnecessary complexity. Although it took time to acclimate, the system eventually became more intuitive with use.

The RDX also offered premium sound options, ranging from a nine-speaker setup in the base model to a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D system in the higher trims, complemented by a new 10.5-inch head-up display in the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and a rearview camera. Additional options included a head-up display (HUD), reverse automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, a surround-view camera system, and traffic sign recognition—though the latter sometimes lagged with correct speed displays.

AcuraWatch’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems showed improvement, though they still lagged behind rivals in smoothness and refinement. Testing revealed occasional false warnings and unnecessary steering corrections under challenging conditions, though performance was better in standard freeway settings.

The 2022 RDX received a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance, and five-star ratings for side impacts.