2021 Acura RDX vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

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 unique gauges. However, the red markings on the gauge cluster were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured a rugged-looking exterior reminiscent of traditional SUVs, with boxy fender flares and a scowling front end. This design stood out among compact crossovers, giving the RAV4 a more aggressive appearance. Despite its rugged look, the RAV4 was based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, which was shared with other Toyota models. The RAV4 offered options like the Trail model with a retro Ice Edge roof and the TRD Off-Road package with matte black wheels and all-terrain tires. The interior had rugged styling touches, but material quality didn't elevate with higher trims, and real leather wasn't available.

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 the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which improved handling by delivering up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered driving modes like Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response and steering effort. A-Spec models had exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, enhancing handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers on the A-Spec trim resulted in some body motion on uneven roads. Despite this, the RDX was rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved 40% thermal efficiency, similar to racing engines, but the transmission was slow to shift, and the steering lacked feel. The RAV4 had a "Sport" mode, but it only added weight to the steering. While the engine was impressive, the overall driving experience was ordinary. The RAV4 focused on off-road capability, with models like the Trail and TRD Off-Road offering torque-vectoring AWD and 21.7 centimetres of ground clearance. However, its off-road performance was limited by suspension articulation and approach angles.

The 2021 Acura RDX offered remarkable passenger and cargo space for a compact SUV. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. Cargo space measured 835 litres behind the rear seat and 1,668 litres with the seats folded, with additional storage compartments under the cargo floor. Acura quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, but this measurement was based on moving the front seats forward, which wasn't practical.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 had a tall, upright roof providing good headroom and visibility. However, legroom in both rows was slightly behind competitors. The rear seats had flat, hard cushions, making long trips uncomfortable. Cargo space was above average, with 1,059 litres behind the rear seats and 1,977 litres with them folded. The RAV4's oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls were easy to use, but the centre-console storage was limited. The cargo area had a wide aperture for easy loading, but the lip was higher than in some competitors.

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 it 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 available navigation. It also offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which sounded excellent.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch or 9-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy-to-read graphics and shortcut buttons. However, it wasn't flashy, and the gasoline RAV4 lacked a head-up display. The RAV4 offered up to five USB ports, a JBL premium audio system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. While not exciting for tech enthusiasts, the RAV4's interface was straightforward and functional.

The 2021 Acura RDX included 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, with four-star ratings for frontal impact and rollover resistance.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. It missed the highest rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.