2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Volvo XC90

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 class. The large Acura logo on the grille, although oversized, complemented the overall design. The RDX's exterior was characterized by a distinctive upper character line that swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, creating a sporty spoiler-like appearance. Inside, the RDX boasted sharp styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery, offering a strong red-and-black contrast. The cabin was well-equipped with standard features like synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. The A-Spec trim added unique visual elements, while the Platinum Elite A-Spec offered luxurious touches like natural Olive Ash wood trim.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a successful design evolution for Volvo, maintaining its traditional boxy profile while adding character with softer lines and chrome accents. The LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive feature. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design offered a sportier look. The XC90's interior embraced Swedish minimalism, featuring matte-finish wood trim and an optional wool upholstery. The cabin exuded luxury with an Orrefors crystal shifter, although it seemed slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior. The XC90's design was a testament to Volvo's ability to blend tradition with modernity.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering an impressive 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided strong acceleration and a pleasing engine note. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission and the standard Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system (SH-AWD). The RDX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Despite its sporty performance, the RDX maintained good fuel efficiency, with an observed consumption of 10.6 L/100 km. The RDX excelled in handling, offering a comfortable ride while remaining agile on the road.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine produced 250 horsepower, while the T6 added supercharging for 316 horsepower. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, or Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering 400 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—but the Pure mode was limited to low speeds. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, with an optional air-suspension system providing a smooth and quiet ride. It also had a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kilograms.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the boundaries of a "compact" SUV, offering a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. The second row provided ample headroom and decent legroom. The RDX featured practical storage solutions, including large door pockets and a pass-through cargo tray. The cargo area offered 835 litres of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,668 litres with the seats folded, and up to 2,260 litres of maximum capacity. The load floor was easily accessible, and a hidden cargo area added to its practicality.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom in all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The XC90's interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power sunroof and upright roof profile. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with massage, but storage space was limited. The XC90 offered 317 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with the second and third rows folded. The hands-free power tailgate added convenience.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, operated via a touchpad that lacked intuitive functionality. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the touchpad negated their simplicity. Standard tech features included Bluetooth, two USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The Tech grade added navigation and the ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec featured the ELS Studio 3D sound system. The Platinum Elite A-Spec added a head-up display.

The 2021 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was a testament to simplicity, featuring a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, although the text was sometimes difficult to read while driving. The XC90 offered a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a head-up display. The wireless charging pad was a welcome addition, although it struggled to fit larger phones.

The 2020 Acura RDX came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tech grade added parking sensors, while the Platinum Elite A-Spec featured a head-up display and a 360-degree camera. 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 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking.