2021 Acura RDX vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and ample cabin space. By 2019, the Edge received a styling update, maintaining its angular headlights and trapezoidal grille, reminiscent of the Fusion. However, the interior showed signs of aging, with awkwardly arranged controls and a rotary shifter. Despite the use of soft-touch materials, the heavy presence of hard plastics detracted from the overall cabin quality. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from SiriusXM satellite radio to a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner.

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, was a stylish SUV with subtle design changes that conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. It avoided off-roading design cues, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping. The RDX A-Spec sat in the middle of the trim hierarchy, with a starting price of $44,505, and offered standard Super Handling All-wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The interior featured sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and unique gauges, though the red markings on a brushed silver background were hard to read. The RDX's cabin was sporty, with quality materials and a form-over-function approach to controls.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Edge provided solid low-end acceleration, though it struggled at higher speeds. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard AWD. The ST offered a more engaging driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering, enhanced by a Sport mode and an available ST Performance Brake Package.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, generating 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which improved handling significantly. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim included exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, though it lacked adaptive dampers. Despite this, the RDX A-Spec was rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes, especially in Sport+ mode.

The 2020 Ford Edge offered a spacious cabin with a commanding view of the road. The seats were surrounded by ample storage compartments, making it ideal for commuting or road trips. The second-row head- and legroom were generous, and the Edge provided 1,110 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 2,078 litres with the rear seats folded. The SEL and Titanium trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. However, the rear seats lacked leg support, and the cargo space measured 835 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,668 litres with the seats folded. The RDX also featured a deep storage well and three separate storage compartments under the cargo floor, though the official cargo volume was not class-leading.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system was user-friendly, with a row of icons for easy navigation and a helpful home button. The Edge also included two smart-charging USB ports and a rearview camera, with a semi-digital instrument panel available on higher trims.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While it mirrored the screen for more intuitive control, it required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi tethering, with a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system in the A-Spec trim.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured a full array of airbags, AdvanceTrac traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 safety system was standard, offering automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Acura RDX included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings in frontal-impact and rollover resistance tests.