2021 Acura RDX vs 2021 Toyota RAV4
Overview | |
MSRP$38,400 | MSRP$26,350 |
Average price$38,678 | Average price$32,380 |
Listings141 | Listings541 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.3 out of 10 |
2021 Acura RDX Reviews SummaryWhen Acura last redesigned the RDX for the 2019 model year, the company began a transformation that is now accelerating with the debut of the all-new 2021 TLX sedan and 2022 MDX SUV. Adopting the company’s latest exterior styling and interior design philosophies, as well as the completely rethought True Touch Interface infotainment system, the third-generation RDX confirmed Acura’s intent to return to the performance ethos that guided the brand during its early years. Now, the RDX is selling well in Canada relative to its segment. | |
2021 Toyota RAV4 Reviews SummarySince its launch in 1997, the Toyota RAV4 has ridden a wave of crossover SUV popularity to become one of Toyota’s bestselling models. Introduced for the 2019 model year, the current-generation RAV4 tries to offer the rugged style of a traditional SUV, but underneath it’s still a car-based crossover pitched against the likes of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan. Because it’s only in its third model year, this fifth-generation RAV4 doesn’t get many updates for 2021. The biggest news is the addition of the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid to the lineup, but that model actually went on sale last year. Toyota offers compact SUV buyers more choices than most competitors. The Toyota RAV4 LE, XLE, and Limited trim levels are available with hybrid and non-hybrid powertrains. Toyota also offers the gasoline-only Premium package for the XLE grade and the RAV4 Trail grade with available TRD Off-Road package, plus the RAV4 Hybrid XSE. The RAV4 Prime is also available in two trim levels—SE and XSE. This review will focus on the gasoline RAV4. Our test car was a RAV4 Trail with the TRD Off-Road package, which joined the lineup for the 2020 model year and is the first RAV4 model tuned by Toyota Racing Development, the automaker’s North American performance division. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 272 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower272 hp @ 6500 rpm | Horsepower |
MPG City22 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway35 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 272 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Torque280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower272 hp @ 6500 rpm | Horsepower |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City22 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway35 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space29.5 cu ft | Cargo Space37.6 cu ft |
Curb Weight3783 lbs | Curb Weight3370 lbs |
Height65.7 in | Height67.0 in |
Length186.6 in | Length180.9 in |
Width74.8 in | Width73.0 in |
Wheelbase108.3 in | Wheelbase105.9 in |
Maximum Payload1001 lbs | Maximum Payload1240 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity1500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity1500 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $38,400 | $26,350 |
Average price | $38,678 | $32,380 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.5 | 4.6 |
Expert reviews | 8.2 out of 10Read full review | 7.3 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | ||
Summary | When Acura last redesigned the RDX for the 2019 model year, the company began a transformation that is now accelerating with the debut of the all-new 2021 TLX sedan and 2022 MDX SUV. Adopting the company’s latest exterior styling and interior design philosophies, as well as the completely rethought True Touch Interface infotainment system, the third-generation RDX confirmed Acura’s intent to return to the performance ethos that guided the brand during its early years. Now, the RDX is selling well in Canada relative to its segment. | Since its launch in 1997, the Toyota RAV4 has ridden a wave of crossover SUV popularity to become one of Toyota’s bestselling models. Introduced for the 2019 model year, the current-generation RAV4 tries to offer the rugged style of a traditional SUV, but underneath it’s still a car-based crossover pitched against the likes of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan. Because it’s only in its third model year, this fifth-generation RAV4 doesn’t get many updates for 2021. The biggest news is the addition of the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid to the lineup, but that model actually went on sale last year. Toyota offers compact SUV buyers more choices than most competitors. The Toyota RAV4 LE, XLE, and Limited trim levels are available with hybrid and non-hybrid powertrains. Toyota also offers the gasoline-only Premium package for the XLE grade and the RAV4 Trail grade with available TRD Off-Road package, plus the RAV4 Hybrid XSE. The RAV4 Prime is also available in two trim levels—SE and XSE. This review will focus on the gasoline RAV4. Our test car was a RAV4 Trail with the TRD Off-Road package, which joined the lineup for the 2020 model year and is the first RAV4 model tuned by Toyota Racing Development, the automaker’s North American performance division. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 272 hp I4 | 2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6500 rpm | |
MPG City | 22 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 35 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 272 hp I4 | 2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | |
Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6500 rpm | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 22 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 35 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 29.5 cu ft | 37.6 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3783 lbs | 3370 lbs |
Height | 65.7 in | 67.0 in |
Length | 186.6 in | 180.9 in |
Width | 74.8 in | 73.0 in |
Wheelbase | 108.3 in | 105.9 in |
Maximum Payload | 1001 lbs | 1240 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 1500 lbs | 1500 lbs |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.