2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a sleek and sporty appearance without resorting to excessive blacked-out trim or aggressive performance design cues. Its styling changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on acceleration and handling. Unlike some SUVs, the RDX did not attempt to mimic an off-road vehicle, avoiding oversized skid plates and bulging fender flares, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping capabilities. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a base price starting at $44,505, and the A-Spec trim priced at $50,305. The interior of the RDX A-Spec was equally sporty, featuring front sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient cabin lighting. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V's design was more conventional, blending in with other compact crossovers in the market. While it shared similar styling with its competitors, the CR-V had a few distinguishing features, such as its grille opening and chromed plastic accents. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were shades of gray, black, or white, with only a few options like Obsidian Blue Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic standing out. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and optional wood panels and chrome accents for a more upscale appearance. However, vehicles like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially at mid-tier trims.

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, enhancing handling and driving enjoyment. The RDX offered various driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim came with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, contributing to its sporty handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport modes were noted drawbacks. Despite these, the RDX A-Spec was praised for its broad torque curve, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, was not designed for high-performance driving. It featured a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower, achieving 0 to 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. All trims shared the same continuously variable transmission (CVT), which maintained engine revs at a constant level during acceleration. While the CR-V's drivetrain was less engaging compared to competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, it offered smooth and steady acceleration for everyday driving. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option on the LX trim and standard on others. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, providing decent handling and ride quality.

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 A-Spec trim adding Alcantara and leather seats with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and 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 and an uncomfortable seating position. The RDX's cargo space 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, though Acura also quoted a maximum value of 2,260 litres based on a different measurement method.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and slightly more cargo space behind the second row. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided 1,065 litres of cargo volume. Access to the cargo area varied by trim, with the LX featuring a manual tailgate, the Sport offering a power tailgate, and the Touring including a hands-free power tailgate. Most CR-V trims also came with roof rails for additional cargo-carrying options.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While the TTI mirrored the screen, making it more intuitive than similar systems, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, providing excellent sound quality. The RDX also offered satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tethering, and available navigation.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had varying speaker setups, while the Touring trim featured a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. The CR-V EX-L and higher trims included Sirius XM and HD radio, with navigation available on the Touring and Black Edition trims. Charging ports were abundant, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and a wireless phone charger on the Touring trim.

The 2021 Acura RDX was 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 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the Sport trim and higher.