2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Acura RDX retained its striking design from the previous year, featuring a bold grille and sleek headlights that made it one of the most attractive vehicles in its segment. The large Acura logo on the grille, although oversized, complemented the overall design. The RDX's exterior was further enhanced by its dynamic character lines, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, the RDX boasted a sharp and precise cabin design, highlighted by eye-catching red leather upholstery that created a striking red-and-black contrast. The RDX came well-equipped with features like synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, making it a strong contender in the small luxury SUV market.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintained its timeless design, blending rugged utility with upscale sophistication. Its flared fenders and big wheels gave it a balanced and appealing look. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed to its success, as it straddled the line between mainstream, luxury, and performance SUVs. The Summit trim, with its Premium Plus Appearance Group, added a premium touch with body-colour accents and a platinum chrome finish. Inside, the Summit's cabin featured premium materials like leather, wood, and aluminum, creating a luxurious feel. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with outdated switchgear and non-flush panel fits.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission and the Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system, which enhanced both performance and fuel efficiency. The RDX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Despite its sporty nature, the RDX maintained good fuel efficiency, with observed consumption of 10.6 L/100 km.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It offered a towing capacity of up to 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 engine delivered 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency, though it still consumed 12.9 L/100 km in combined driving. The Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II 4WD system and Quadra-Lift air suspension provided excellent off-road capabilities, while its tight turning radius and responsive brakes made it agile in urban settings.

The 2020 Acura RDX offered a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats, providing ample head- and legroom. The second row also provided good headroom and decent legroom. The RDX featured practical storage solutions, including large door pockets and a pass-through cargo tray. It offered 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,668 litres with the seats folded down, and up to 2,260 litres of maximum capacity.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit featured supportive front seats with eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, while comfortable, had somewhat limited legroom for taller passengers. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. The Grand Cherokee provided 1,028 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, with a maximum capacity of 1,934 litres. Practical features included a recessed bin for carrying items and a power liftgate for easy access.

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 negated their simplicity. The Tech grade added navigation and a premium audio system, while the A-Spec featured an impressive ELS Studio 3D sound system.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's Uconnect 4C with Nav system offered a nearly flawless user experience, with fast response times and pleasing graphics. It included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Summit trim featured a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, delivering excellent sound quality. The Grand Cherokee's voice recognition technology worked well, allowing for control of various features.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 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 overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS testing was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in certain crash tests. The Summit trim included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Grand Cherokee also offered parking assistance and a backup camera.