2021 Acura RDX vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, was a visually appealing SUV that managed to convey a sense of sportiness without resorting to excessive design elements. Its styling changes were subtle yet effective, avoiding the typical performance design cues and blacked-out trim. The RDX A-Spec was not designed for off-roading, as evidenced by the absence of oversized skid plates and fender flares, making it more suitable for daily driving and road trips. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a base price of $50,305, and offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and unique gauges. However, the red markings on the gauge cluster were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship, with a design that was unmistakably BMW. The X5's exterior featured the iconic kidney grille and adaptive LED headlights, giving it an upscale appearance. The M Sport styling added a sporty touch with body-colour matched trim and high-gloss black accents. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring leather and soft-touch materials, although there was an abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models offered unique styling elements, including an M sports steering wheel and model-exclusive interior trim strips. However, the interior design felt somewhat generic, as many components were shared across BMW's lineup.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered a fun driving experience with its Integrated Dynamics System, allowing drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes. The A-Spec trim came with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, enhancing its handling capabilities. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport or Sport+ mode were noted drawbacks.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a 50-kilometre all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling dynamics were criticized for not meeting BMW's usual standards, with issues in responsiveness and lane-keeping.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space, making it a great value. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard, while the A-Spec and Platinum Elite trims added ventilation. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to the need for a low and flat cargo floor, resulting in a lack of leg support. The RDX's cargo area measured 835 litres behind the rear seat, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor. Folding the rear seats increased cargo capacity to 1,668 litres, with a maximum value of 2,260 litres when measured with the front seats moved forward.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with cupholders positioned conveniently at the front of the centre console. The seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The X5 offered an optional third row, though it was not tested in this review. The split liftgate was easy to operate, and the air suspension allowed for vehicle height adjustment when loading cargo. Without the third row, the X5's cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e model offered slightly less space. However, moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was challenging due to the limited door opening width.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While the system mirrored the screen, making it more intuitive than Lexus's approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tethering, and an available navigation system. The A-Spec trim came with a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 BMW X5 boasted a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the wireless Apple CarPlay had connectivity issues, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. The standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless charger, ventilated and massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and premium audio systems.

The 2021 Acura RDX came equipped 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 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.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping, particularly in bright sunlight or rain. The X5 received mostly Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.