2020 Mazda CX-5 vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 was a testament to Mazda's commitment to delivering a premium experience. It showcased captivating style and compelling substance, with continual improvements that elevated its status among competitors. This model year, the CX-5 featured more standard equipment, refined instrumentation, and control markings that enhanced the cabin's appearance. Modifications to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness further demonstrated Mazda's dedication to quality. The turbocharged engine received a torque boost, and AWD versions gained a new off-road traction assistance feature. The CX-5's design, rooted in the "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing, distinctive, and upscale, a feat many automakers struggled to achieve. Inside, the Signature trim exuded luxury with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, although the Caturra Brown leather lacked contrast against the predominantly black cabin.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX, especially in the A-Spec trim, was a striking SUV with subtle yet effective styling changes that conveyed sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided the rugged off-road look, focusing instead on a design meant for daily driving and road-tripping. The RDX A-Spec sat in the middle of the trim hierarchy, with a base price starting at $44,505, and the A-Spec trim priced at $50,305. The interior of the A-Spec trim featured front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, creating a sporty atmosphere. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night. Despite this, the RDX's interior delivered a sporty look and feel, with quality materials and a unique approach to controls.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 offered a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on lower trims, with AWD optional, while higher trims came with AWD as standard. The GT Turbo and Signature trims featured a turbocharged engine, delivering 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on premium fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular. Despite its 1,734-kilogram curb weight, the CX-5 Signature accelerated with authority, though the turbo engine was less fuel-efficient, averaging 10.6 L/100 km on the testing loop. The CX-5's G-Vectoring Control Plus technology enhanced driving engagement, but excessive body motions during spirited driving detracted from the experience. Nevertheless, the CX-5 was enjoyable in typical driving situations, with responsive steering and brakes.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and the SH-AWD system. This drivetrain improved handling, making the RDX fun to drive. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. A-Spec models had exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, enhancing handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers resulted in some body motion on uneven roads. The RDX's turbo engine provided a broad torque curve, and the SH-AWD system, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes contributed to a rewarding driving experience. In Sport+ mode, the RDX exhibited more aggressive behaviour and a delightful engine sound.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 aimed to compete with luxury SUVs, but its interior was more cramped than mainstream competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Mazda focused on an upscale cabin and generous standard equipment to offset this drawback. The CX-5's interior featured classy gauges, metallic accents, and heated front seats as standard. Higher trims added power-adjustable seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control. The Signature trim offered Nappa leather and genuine wood trim. While the front seats were comfortable, rear legroom was limited. Cargo space measured 875 litres behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,687 litres with the seats folded.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard, and ventilation on higher trims. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. Storage space was limited, with a large but inaccessible tray under the centre console. Cargo volume measured 835 litres behind the rear seat, with a deep storage well for small items. Folding the rear seats provided 1,668 litres of cargo space, though Acura quoted a maximum of 2,260 litres based on a different measurement methodology.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which aimed to convey an upscale impression but required acclimation. The system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, a Bose premium sound system, and a surround-view camera. Interaction with Mazda Connect was possible through the touchscreen, centre console controls, steering wheel, or voice recognition, though none were ideal. The voice-recognition technology was particularly frustrating, often failing to interpret commands. Mazda planned to update the system for 2021, but operational issues persisted.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. The TTI mirrored the screen, allowing drivers to control the system by touching corresponding areas on the pad. While an improvement over Lexus's approach, the TTI still required acclimation and could be distracting. The RDX included standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi tethering, with an available navigation system. The A-Spec trim featured a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with many advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) as standard equipment. The standard package included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 also featured LED headlights and rain-sensing wipers, with adaptive headlights on higher trims. The SUV earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high marks in individual testing parameters.

The 2021 Acura RDX came with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX's safety systems were smoother and more refined than previous models, encouraging their use. The SUV 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.