2022 Porsche Macan vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a visually appealing SUV with subtle yet effective styling changes that conveyed a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided the rugged off-road look, focusing instead on a design meant for daily driving and road-tripping. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the trim hierarchy, with a base price starting at $44,505, and offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan maintained its sleek and athletic appearance, with a styling refresh that included larger standard wheels and a new centre console with haptic touch controls. The Macan S test vehicle, priced from $73,400, showcased a Volcano Gray exterior with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, embodying Porsche's tradition of graceful aging. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, featuring a flat and wide dashboard, a large tachometer, and a centre console housing most secondary controls. The cabin, with its red leather and metallic accents, exuded an upscale, sporty, and purposeful vibe.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 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 handling and making the RDX enjoyable to drive. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting powertrain response, steering effort, and suspension firmness. The A-Spec trim included exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, contributing to its handling capabilities. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport modes were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of engines, with the Macan S featuring a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 delivering 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The Macan S benefited from larger 20-inch wheels and standard Porsche Active Suspension Management, enhancing ride and handling. The test vehicle's optional performance upgrades, including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes, contributed to its impressive driving dynamics and stability on challenging roads.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered remarkable passenger and cargo space, making it an extraordinary value. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard, while the A-Spec trim added ventilation. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to the need to maximize utility, resulting in a lack of leg support and an uncomfortable seating position. Cargo space measured 835 litres behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,668 litres with the seats folded, and included useful storage compartments.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, while sporty, provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with optional 14-way power-adjustable seats offering heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, especially for taller passengers, but entry and exit were easy. The redesigned centre console with haptic touch controls offered a clean look but required attention away from the road. Cargo space was limited to 488 litres behind the rear seat, expandable to 1,503 litres with the seats folded, accommodating four full-size suitcases.

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 the Lexus approach, 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, delivering excellent sound quality. Acura incorporated physical controls for stereo and climate functions, along with smartphone projection and voice-recognition technology.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, known as Porsche Communication Management, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and a navigation system. The user experience was intuitive, though voice recognition was less effective compared to competitors. The system included stereo volume and tuning controls below the screen, and the climate control system was separate, reducing the need for screen interaction while driving.

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-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included standard lane-departure warning and a reversing camera, with optional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The test vehicle included most of these technologies, which performed as expected. The Macan offered advanced parking assistance features, but more sophisticated driving assistance tech was limited. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.