2021 Acura RDX vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, was a visually appealing SUV. Its design changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided the rugged off-road look, focusing instead on a sleek design suitable for daily driving and road trips. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a starting price of $50,305, and offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling reflected its long tenure on the market, retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago. While the exterior updates, such as the spindle grille and LED headlights, kept it somewhat modern, the interior felt outdated for a luxury SUV. The wood trim resembled molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. Despite these shortcomings, the GX's tough, aggressive look was distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. The interior, however, lacked the refinement expected in a modern luxury vehicle.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which improved handling by delivering up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. 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 had exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, enhancing its handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport modes were noted drawbacks. Despite these, the RDX was praised for its predictable handling, precise steering, and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine, generating 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's weight of 2,349 kilograms affected its performance at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen centre differential, a low-range 4WD system, and various off-road driving modes. It offered 20.5 centimetres of ground clearance and a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to the need for a low and flat cargo floor. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor. Folding the rear seats increased cargo capacity to 1,668 litres, with a maximum quoted value of 2,260 litres. However, the latter figure was based on an unrealistic loading method.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard design offered excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children. Accessing the third row was challenging due to the second-row seats. The GX offered 1,833 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, but with the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

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 it improved upon Lexus's previous 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 featured a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface. The GX featured a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, but the overall tech offering was basic for a luxury SUV.

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 Lexus GX 460 included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, featuring a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.