2020 Acura RDX vs 2019 Toyota RAV4

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and aggressive exterior design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its chunky build and sharp edges gave it a futuristic and robust appearance, with taillights reminiscent of Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. The character line breaking up the rear C-pillar was a common design trait, though not particularly appealing in the RAV4's execution. The vehicle offered both monotone and two-tone colour options, with the latter featuring a contrasting-colour roof that complemented the design better than the monotone schemes. Inside, the RAV4's cabin was surprisingly simple and elegant, with a floating touchscreen and a well-organized control pod.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura RDX maintained a similar look to its 2019 predecessor, which was a positive aspect given its attractive design. The RDX featured a beamy grille and rakish headlights, with a large logo that, despite its size, fit well within the overall design. The vehicle's upper character line swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line that created a spoiler-like appearance. Inside, the RDX boasted sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a striking red-and-black interior aesthetic. The cabin was well-equipped with standard features, including synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering both front-wheel drive and two types of all-wheel drive (AWD). The base AWD was available on lower trims, while the more advanced torque-vectoring AWD was standard on the Trail and Limited trims. The RAV4's engine provided decent highway acceleration but struggled with low-end power, making it feel sluggish in stop-and-go traffic. Despite some body roll and twitchy steering, the RAV4 offered a comfortable ride and maintained some off-road capability, especially with the torque-vectoring AWD. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the AWD model achieving a combined consumption of 8.0 L/100 km.

The 2020 Acura RDX featured a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided strong acceleration and a pleasing engine note, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX offered multiple drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, which adjusted throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel. Despite a large drive-mode dial taking up dash space, the RDX excelled in both performance and handling, offering a comfortable ride with excellent acceleration. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with a combined consumption of 10.6 L/100 km, though it required premium fuel.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's cabin was designed for practicality and style, with a clean and upscale look. It offered ample cargo space, with 1,064 litres behind the rear seats and 1,976 litres with the seats folded. The front row featured deep centre-console trays and bins, while the rear included a fold-out armrest with cupholders. Despite a slight reduction in cargo space from the previous year, the RAV4 remained competitive in its class.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the boundaries of a compact SUV, offering a spacious and comfortable cabin. The front seats were supportive, with plenty of head- and legroom, while the second row provided good headroom and decent legroom. The RDX offered 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,668 litres with the seats folded, or up to 2,260 litres of maximum capacity. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a liftable panel revealing a hidden storage area.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Toyota's Entune 3.0 infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with hard dials for major functions and real dials for volume and tuning. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, while the Trail and Limited trims offered larger screens and an optional JBL premium audio system.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad that lacked intuitive functionality. Despite standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the touchpad complicated their use. The RDX included Bluetooth, a WiFi hotspot, and a 9-speaker audio system, with higher trims offering additional USB ports, navigation, and premium audio systems. The A-Spec trim featured the impressive ELS Studio 3D sound system, while the Platinum Elite A-Spec added a head-up display.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a backup camera, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. This suite included forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a full range of safety features, including airbags, a rear-view camera, and driver-assistance technologies like lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tech grade added parking sensors, while the Platinum Elite A-Spec included a head-up display and a 360-degree camera. The RDX received a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.