2021 Acura RDX vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a sleek and sporty appearance without resorting to excessive design elements. Its styling changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. The RDX avoided the rugged off-road look, focusing instead on being a practical and stylish option for daily driving and road trips. The interior of the RDX A-Spec mirrored its exterior with a sporty look and feel, featuring quality materials and a unique design approach. However, the gauge cluster with red markings on a brushed silver background was difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX maintained a modern and sporty design, especially after its 2020 facelift. The RX's exterior was aggressive, with sharp character lines and angular features that stopped just short of being excessive. The F Sport models added a touch of athleticism with 20-inch wheels and unique styling elements. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with sporty touches in the F Sport models, such as model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. However, the centre stack felt dated, and the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport were less comfortable than expected, with limited lumbar support and challenging driving position adjustments.

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 and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, enhancing handling and driving enjoyment. The RDX offered various driving modes, including Sport and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response and steering effort. While the A-Spec trim had exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels, it lacked adaptive dampers, resulting in some body motion on uneven roads. Despite these minor drawbacks, the RDX was rewarding to drive, with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined a V6 with electric motors for 308 horsepower. All RX models featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and hesitant acceleration. The F Sport models included adaptive variable suspension and a Sport+ drive mode, but the differences in driving dynamics were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives.

The 2021 Acura RDX offered impressive passenger and cargo space for a compact SUV. The front seats were comfortable, 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 provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,668 litres with the seats folded. While not class-leading, the cargo area was practical, with additional storage compartments for organization.

The 2022 Lexus RX had 2,826 litres of passenger volume in the two-row model, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models offered limited space for anything beyond groceries. Cargo space in the standard RX was 453 litres behind the second row, expanding to 923 litres with the seats folded. The RX's cargo area had a high load-in height, but thoughtful interior features like a smartphone slot and adjustable cup holder added convenience.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console. While an improvement over Lexus's approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tethering, and a premium audio system in the A-Spec trim. However, the TTI system was not ideal, and a touchscreen would have been more intuitive.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was ergonomically unfriendly. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, leading to frustration. However, the RX offered a range of tech features, including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. The Lexus App provided additional personalization options.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, 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 stars in frontal-impact and rollover resistance tests.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, but only with optional triple-beam LED headlights. It received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests.