2022 GMC Terrain 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 fender flares, focusing instead on daily driving and road-tripping. The A-Spec trim, positioned in the middle of the trim hierarchy, offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, enhancing its athletic appeal. However, the gauge cluster with red markings on a brushed silver background was difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. The AT4 trim included a steel skid plate for protection during off-road adventures. The Terrain's interior, with its black leather and caramel-coloured contrast stitching, aimed to provide an upscale feel. However, the quality of materials and execution of details fell short of expectations for a vehicle in its price range. The pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray were not intuitive, and the head-up display was a cost-cutting measure that detracted from the overall experience.

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. The A-Spec trim did not offer additional performance enhancements, but the standard 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system contributed to improved handling and driving enjoyment. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ driving modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The RDX A-Spec featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, enhancing its handling capabilities. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport or Sport+ mode were noted drawbacks.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The engine's power delivery required learning to ride the torque swell for satisfaction, and the nine-speed automatic transmission helped maintain the torque band. The Terrain's competitors were not significantly more powerful, but the absence of the previously available turbocharged 2.0-litre engine was felt. The Terrain AT4 offered FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control for off-road situations. However, torque steer was an issue in FWD mode, and the AT4's ground clearance was less than some competitors. The Terrain's ride was smooth on highways and city streets, but off-road performance was limited by its design and tire grip.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space, making it a great value. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation in higher trims. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by the need to maximize utility, resulting in a lack of leg support and an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, but the cargo area was accommodating, with 835 litres behind the rear seat and 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded. Acura also quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, but this figure was based on unrealistic loading conditions.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior with numerous comfort features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat offered proper support, legroom, and a rear USB charging port. While the storage tray forward of the cupholders was disappointing, GMC incorporated various storage slots throughout the interior. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, with a large storage bin underneath the trunk floor. Folding the rear seat created 1,792 litres of cargo space, and the front passenger seat could be folded for longer items.

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 the TTI mirrored the screen, making it more intuitive than some systems, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The A-Spec trim included a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, which delivered excellent sound quality. Acura incorporated physical knobs and buttons for stereo and climate controls, along with smartphone projection and voice-recognition technology.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly praised for its accuracy and responsiveness. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert system. The remote engine starting system was a convenient feature for temperature control.

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 2022 GMC Terrain included the GMC Pro Safety Package as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.