2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, closely resembling Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials that didn't always harmonize. While higher trims featured upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these clashed with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were still upgrades of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX, especially with the optional A-Spec Package, was a visually appealing SUV. Its styling changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided giving the RDX an off-road appearance, focusing instead on its suitability for daily driving and road trips. The RDX A-Spec sat in the middle of the trim hierarchy, with a base price starting at $38,200 and climbing to $47,625 with the A-Spec SH-AWD and additional options. The interior of the RDX A-Spec featured sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and unique gauges, all contributing to a sporty look and feel. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across its lineup, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which, despite some CVTs' reputation for sluggishness, performed well in the CR-V. The vehicle's road manners were excellent, with a car-like demeanor, nimble handling, and minimal body roll. The CR-V's lightweight design contributed to its impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 miles per gallon combined and AWD models managing 29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid, introduced in 2020, offered even higher fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Acura RDX, on the other hand, was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, and the SH-AWD system was available for enhanced handling. The RDX offered multiple driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences. The A-Spec model featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, contributing to its sporty handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers in the A-Spec model resulted in some body motion on uneven roads. Despite this, the RDX A-Spec was rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to larger vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan. It provided ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers, thanks to its excellent seating position and low cowl. The CR-V's cargo space was impressive, with a two-position load floor and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo capacity with the rear seats folded. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console and large door pockets, made the CR-V easy to live with.

The 2021 Acura RDX, while positioned as a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in the A-Spec trim. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. The RDX's cargo space measured 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not class-leading, the trunk was accommodating, with additional storage compartments for organization. Acura quoted a maximum cargo volume of 79.8 cubic feet, but this figure was based on unconventional loading methods.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a 5-inch screen in the base LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. Despite these limitations, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger for added convenience.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the center console instead of a touchscreen. While TTI represented an improvement over similar systems from Lexus, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. Acura addressed driver distraction by separating stereo and climate controls from the display and offering smartphone projection with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring were available on EX trims and above. The CR-V earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim's LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with AcuraWatch, a suite of safety features that included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward-collision warning. 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 IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.