2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in its A-Spec trim, was a visually appealing SUV that managed to convey a sense of sportiness without resorting to excessive design elements. Its styling was subtle yet effective, avoiding the typical performance cues or off-road embellishments that were unnecessary for its intended use as a daily driver and road-tripper. The RDX A-Spec's interior mirrored its exterior's sporty aesthetic, featuring quality materials and a unique design that set it apart from typical compact crossover cabins. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night, which was a minor drawback.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 presented a polished exterior with minimal character lines, giving it a concept car-like appearance. Its design, referred to as Parametric Pixel, was both fascinating and frustrating, with pixelated lighting elements used extensively throughout the vehicle. The interior, however, took a different approach, offering a mellow and comfortable "Living Space" theme with sustainable materials and a focus on relaxation. The Ioniq 5's cabin was designed for comfort, featuring a zero-gravity resting position for the driver's seat and a spacious, modern layout that emphasized usability and passenger comfort.

The 2021 Acura RDX was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, delivering 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, enhancing its handling capabilities. The RDX offered various driving modes, including Sport and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response and steering effort. Despite its sporty nature, the A-Spec trim lacked adaptive dampers, resulting in some body motion on uneven roads. Nevertheless, the RDX was rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered multiple powertrain options, including a base model with a 125-kW rear motor producing 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant featured a 168-kW motor with 225 horsepower and a range of 488 kilometres. The AWD version combined a dual-motor system for a total of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 414 kilometres. The Ioniq 5's performance was typical for a midsize crossover, with four drive modes, including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. The vehicle's regenerative braking system, adjustable via paddle shifters, offered an engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Acura RDX, though classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. Its front seats were comfortable and supportive, 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. The RDX's cargo space measured 835 litres behind the rear seat and 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded, providing ample room for most tasks. Additional storage compartments were available under the cargo floor for organization.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform, maximized interior space with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. It offered a total interior volume of 3,786 litres, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5's interior featured a moveable centre console, flat floor, and comfortable leatherette seats. The cabin's design prioritized passenger comfort, with soft touchpoints and ample storage space, including a large cubby under the centre armrest.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While it improved upon similar systems from other manufacturers, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tethering, and a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system. It also offered smartphone projection and voice-recognition technology, though the infotainment system's design could benefit from further refinement.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and offered a redesigned Blue Link app for EV charge management. The Ioniq 5 featured Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, digital key, and over-the-air updates. Its 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for improved visibility.

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 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also offered Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. While crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested the Ioniq 5 would perform well in safety evaluations.