2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2020 Acura RDX closely resembled its 2019 predecessor, maintaining its striking appearance. The imposing grille and rakish headlights replaced the outdated "beak" grille, giving it a modern and aggressive look. The large logo within the grille, though comically oversized, fit well within the overall design. The upper character line swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line from the rear side windows, creating a spoiler-like effect. Inside, the RDX featured sharp, precise styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery, contrasting beautifully with the black interior. Standard features included synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The A-Spec model added unique 20-inch wheels, ventilated front seats, and a panoramic moonroof, while the Advance Package offered rain-sensing wipers, heated rear seats, and natural Olive Ash wood trim.

The 2021 Audi Q5 showcased a sharp, modern design with an expressive face, LED headlights, and a prominent Singleframe grille. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear boasted bold taillights. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version included S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, such as standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Q5 maintained a classy and modern appearance with smartly grouped buttons and switches. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, and the second row featured standard leather seating surfaces. The interior materials were authentic, with real wood and metal, and the overall fit and finish were exceptional.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided solid acceleration, making the RDX quick off the line and capable of overtaking on the highway. The 10-speed automatic transmission managed power efficiently, contributing to both performance and fuel economy. The RDX offered front-wheel drive or the available Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus modes, adjusting throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel. The A-Spec model with SH-AWD returned an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined. The RDX excelled in handling while remaining comfortable, making it a versatile choice for both city and highway driving.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 362 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the Q5 PHEV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The PHEV achieved an impressive 65 MPGe combined, with a gasoline-only rating of 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive. Drivers could choose between modes to drive on battery power only, reserve battery power, or operate in hybrid mode. The Q5 featured speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and a four-wheel independent suspension, providing good handling with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. The second row provided great headroom and decent legroom. The front row had ample storage space, including large water bottle holders and a pass-through cargo tray with a USB port. The second row featured a fold-down center console with cup holders and in-door cup holders. The RDX had 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The cargo area was easily accessible, with a liftable panel revealing a hidden storage area.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row featured cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin under the center-console armrest. The interior design was uncluttered and functional, with smartly laid-out features.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad called the True Touchpad Interface. This system lacked the logic of similar systems, requiring constant attention to ensure correct selections. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hot spot, and a 9-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added two rear USB ports, navigation, and the ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec model featured the ELS Studio 3D premium sound system with 16 speakers, while the Advance Package added a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three customizable views. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, providing a built-in transponder for toll roads. The Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, LATCH child-seat mounting systems, a tire pressure monitoring system, hill-start assist, and a rear-view camera. It also included driver-assistance features such as lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The Advance Package included a 10.5-inch head-up display, a 360-degree surround-view camera, and a rear-view camera washer nozzle. The 2019 RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 received top "good" ratings in every category except headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.