2020 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity in styling was expected to age well, making it a practical choice for long-term ownership. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test model looked impressive, though some design elements like the taillights and the roof C-pillar could have been better. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with numerous King Ranch logos, which some found unsettling. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was disappointing for a vehicle in this price range.

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly with the A-Spec Package, was a stylish SUV that conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. It avoided the rugged off-road look, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping. The A-Spec trim added subtle yet effective styling changes, making it visually appealing. The RDX A-Spec's interior featured front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, among other sporty touches. However, the gauge cluster with red markings on a brushed silver background was hard to read, except at night. Overall, the RDX A-Spec delivered a sporty look and feel, though some controls prioritized form over function.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided ample power and a pleasant exhaust note. The Expedition offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with an optional four-wheel-drive system. It had a ground clearance of 9.8 inches (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities of up to 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, though the large 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy. The independent rear suspension design enhanced ride and handling while conserving interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and front-wheel drive was standard, with the option of Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The SH-AWD system significantly improved handling, making the RDX fun to drive. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim's 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires enhanced handling, though the lack of adaptive dampers led to some body motion on uneven roads. The RDX A-Spec was rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes, though the 10-speed automatic transmission could benefit from rev-matching in Sport+ mode.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled at towing, carrying cargo, and hauling people. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy access, and the front seats were heated, ventilated, and comfortable. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The long-wheelbase Expedition MAX offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats in the A-Spec trim were 12-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, providing excellent comfort. However, the rear seats lacked leg support and had too much recline angle, leading to an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with a large but hard-to-access tray under the center console. Cargo volume was 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The RDX also featured a deep storage well and three separate compartments under the cargo floor, adding to its practicality.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which was easy to use but sometimes slow to respond. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. The rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were notable highlights, especially for those who frequently towed trailers.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the center console instead of a touchscreen. While the TTI mirrored the screen and was an improvement over similar systems from Lexus, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included physical knobs and buttons for stereo and climate controls, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and integrated voice-recognition technology. The A-Spec trim featured a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in every crash test conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), except for a 4-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with AcuraWatch, a collection of safety features that included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available with the Technology Package. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.