2022 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a visually appealing design that balanced sportiness with subtlety. It avoided excessive blacked-out trim or aggressive performance cues, instead opting for a refined look that suggested athleticism without overpromising on performance. The RDX was not designed for off-roading, as evidenced by the absence of rugged features like oversized skid plates or fender flares, emphasizing its role as a daily driver and road-trip companion. The A-Spec trim, positioned in the middle of the RDX's hierarchy, offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, enhancing the overall sporty aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5's styling was a blend of Cadillac's signature design elements and a compact SUV's proportions. It featured a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, the combination of these elements with the XT5's compact size and tall profile resulted in a somewhat awkward appearance. The XT5's interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for its standout features, such as semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microfibre sueded headliner. Without this package, the XT5's interior design lacked a strong theme and brand-specific markers, making it less distinctive compared to its competitors.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could direct up to 70% of the engine's power to the rear wheels, enhancing handling and driving enjoyment. The RDX offered various driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences. The A-Spec trim featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, contributing to its sporty handling, although the absence of adaptive dampers was noted as a drawback.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6-equipped XT5 provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth power delivery and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which excelled in providing a comfortable and controlled ride. The XT5's steering was well-suited for luxury driving, offering a balance between nimbleness and stability, while the quiet cabin enhanced the overall luxury experience.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space, making it a great value. The front seats were notably comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation available in higher trims. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,668 litres with the seats folded, with additional storage compartments for organization. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, although this figure was based on an unconventional loading method.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favourably to its German competitors in terms of interior space, offering more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but less than the BMW X3. The XT5 excelled in legroom for both rows, although the seats themselves were not as comfortable as expected for a luxury vehicle. Cadillac quoted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. The XT5 featured a hands-free power liftgate and a small cubbyhole for additional storage, although the centre console space was limited.

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 this system aimed to improve upon Lexus's similar 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 boasted a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display. While the touchscreen was user-friendly, the secondary controls, including a rotary controller and capacitive touchpads, were less intuitive. The XT5's standard eight-speaker Bose sound system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, providing impressive audio quality.

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 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it earned four stars in frontal-impact and rollover resistance tests.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking, while the Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert and a surround-vision camera system. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.