2022 Ford Explorer 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 cues. Its design changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Unlike some SUVs, the RDX did not attempt to mimic an off-road vehicle, avoiding oversized skid plates and bulging fender flares, as it was primarily designed for daily driving and road trips. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a base price of $50,305, and offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered a more rugged and athletic look, especially with the introduction of the Timberline and ST-Line trims. The Explorer's design was based on a rear-drive platform, allowing for a long and tall hood, a rakish roofline, and a tapering greenhouse, giving it a taut appearance. The blacked-out roof pillars contributed to a "floating roof" effect. The interior of higher-trim Explorers combined quality materials with some questionable ones, but overall, it felt worthy of its price. The Explorer's cabin was spacious, though the third-row seat was best suited for children due to its low roofline and limited legroom.

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 Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which could deliver up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered four driving modes: Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim came with 20-inch alloy wheels and performance all-season tires, enhancing its handling capabilities. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport modes were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The XLT, ST-Line, and Timberline trims featured a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Explorer Limited offered a hybrid drivetrain with a 3.3-litre V6 engine, producing a combined 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kg. The Explorer ST and Platinum trims came with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 2,540 kg. The Explorer's ride was robust, and it handled off-road terrain well, especially in the Timberline trim. The Explorer ST offered a sportier driving experience with its performance brakes and 21-inch wheels.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard, while the A-Spec and Platinum Elite trims added ventilation. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to 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. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, though this measurement was based on moving the front seats forward.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided ample comfort for families, with the option to carry five people with a second-row bench seat. The front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with available massaging, while the second-row seats were nearly as accommodating. However, the third-row seat was difficult for adults to access and lacked legroom. The Explorer's cabin had limited practical storage space, though it featured built-in cupholders and a hands-free power liftgate. Cargo space measured 528 litres behind the third-row seat, 1,264 litres with the third row folded, and 2,132 litres with both rear rows folded.

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

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system, with either an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The larger screen appeared as an afterthought, while the smaller screen was well integrated. The Explorer included FordPass Connect services, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a navigation system. Higher trims featured wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the Explorer's voice recognition system was less effective than Ford's newer Sync 4 technology.

The 2021 Acura RDX came 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 2022 Ford Explorer received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, but the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 model. The Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also featured a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable vehicle functions.