2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered six distinct versions, each with unique styling cues. The base Tahoe LS and popular Tahoe LT featured different grille patterns, while the sporty Tahoe RST boasted a slotted grille, blacked-out appearance, and 22-inch wheels. The rugged Tahoe Z71 combined the LS trim’s grille with a blacked-out look, a redesigned front end for off-roading, red tow hooks, a skid plate, and unique 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. The upscale Tahoe Premier had the RST’s slotted grille with chrome accents, shiny exterior trim, and polished wheels. The luxurious Tahoe High Country showcased a chrome bar grille, 22-inch wheels with a bright finish, and body-color mirror caps. Standard LED headlights and expressive taillights added to the Tahoe’s bold look, while the larger wheels enhanced its overall appearance.

Inside, the Tahoe featured a larger 10.2-inch infotainment screen and new electronic transmission controls on the dashboard, improving storage capacity but compromising control layout. The interior quality met expectations, with exposed stitching and soft-touch surfaces on the upper half of the cabin, while the lower half was covered in hard plastic. The Tahoe LS included cloth seats, with leather becoming standard from the LT trim onwards. The Premier trim added perforated leather, and the High Country offered perforated and textured leather options. Prices ranged from $49,000 for the base LS to $72,600 for the High Country, with the tested Z71 trim costing $76,225, including various option packages and destination charges.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, including updates to the grille surround and front and rear bumper styling. New wheel designs and paint colors were also introduced. The limited-production RDX PMC Edition returned with exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid white interior. The PMC Edition, named after the Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, topped the 2022 RDX lineup, which included the base model and option packages named Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance. Prices ranged from $42,300 to $53,300, excluding a destination charge of $1,045.

The test vehicle, equipped with the new-for-2022 A-Spec Advance package, featured extra-cost Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, totaling $53,645, including the destination charge. The RDX A-Spec Advance justified its price with high-quality interior materials, solid build quality, and a quieter interior. Despite some reservations about the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia, the RDX maintained a stylish appearance compared to its rivals.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered three engine options. The standard engine for most trims was a 5.3-liter V8, delivering 355 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 383 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. The High Country trim featured an exclusive 6.2-liter V8, producing 420 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. A turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline six-cylinder engine, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, was available for all trims except the Z71. The diesel engine promised improved fuel efficiency, with an estimated five-mpg improvement in combined driving.

A 10-speed automatic transmission powered the Tahoe, driving the rear wheels with most trims. The Tahoe could tow up to 8,400 pounds and handle a payload of up to 1,834 pounds. A four-wheel-drive system was optional, except for the Z71 trim, which included it as standard along with a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, all-terrain tires, a front skid plate, and tow hooks. The major engineering change for the 2021 Tahoe was the adoption of an independent rear suspension, improving ride quality, handling, and interior comfort.

The test vehicle, a Tahoe Z71, impressed both on and off the road. The new independent rear suspension, coupled with adaptive damping and air suspension upgrades, provided a smooth ride over various terrains. The 5.3-liter V8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission delivered refined and capable performance, with Dynamic Fuel Management technology improving fuel economy. The Tahoe Z71 returned 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below the EPA estimate of 18 mpg for a 4WD model. Handling was commendable, with the adaptive and air-ride suspension upgrades controlling body roll and excessive motion, making the Tahoe feel planted and athletic on two-lane back roads.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The turbo-four engine provided quick acceleration and enjoyable driving dynamics, though heavy-footed driving reduced fuel economy. The RDX averaged 20.6 mpg on the evaluation loop, below the EPA rating of 23 mpg.

A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, offering smooth and responsive performance. Front-wheel drive was standard on the base, Technology, and A-Spec packages, while the Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. The SH-AWD system could deliver up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to a single rear wheel, enhancing cornering and overall driving dynamics. The RDX’s standard Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) offered distinct driving modes, with the adaptive-damping suspension providing a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode.

The 2022 RDX also featured improved sound insulation and Active Sound Control enhancements, resulting in a quieter cabin. The RDX’s driving dynamics, comfortable seats, and thick steering wheel made it enjoyable to drive in various situations. However, it did not qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge, and driving enthusiasts might prefer German alternatives like the Audi SQ5, BMW X3 M40i, and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from a new independent rear suspension, improving passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, though it lacked ventilated seats. The power sliding storage console was highly recommended, offering a large storage tray and a locking drawer for valuables. The second-row offered a 3-person bench seat or individual captain’s chairs, with the latter option providing comfort and easy access to the third-row seat.

The third-row seat room was substantially improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The new Tahoe offered 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, 72.6 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down, and a maximum volume of 122.9 cubic feet. These figures were substantial increases over the previous-generation Tahoe and better than most full-size, mainstream-brand SUVs.

The 2022 Acura RDX, though a compact SUV, provided ample room for four adults and their luggage, with a standard panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of space. The RDX’s interior emphasized a sporty driving position and featured a dramatic IDS driving mode knob on the center of the dashboard. The control layout required some acclimation, with transmission buttons and the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system control pad being unusual.

The standard 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation. The new thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel was pleasant to hold and available with a heated rim. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, and the Iconic Drive ambient lighting was available on all but the base trim level. The back seat, however, was less comfortable, feeling flat and lacking support. Heated rear seat cushions were available on some models.

The RDX featured a standard power liftgate with available hands-free operation, revealing 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Beneath the load floor, there were sizable hidden storage compartments, and folding the back seat down created 58.9 cubic feet of cargo area.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe’s standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system offered five times the computing power of previous models, over-the-air update capability, and enhanced cybersecurity protection. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services with various plans offering remote engine starting, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and stolen vehicle assistance. Navigation and two different Bose premium audio systems were available as upgrades.

The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use due to the screen’s recessed position. The voice-recognition system was impressive, responding accurately to natural speech. Bluetooth pairing and wireless Apple CarPlay streaming were quick and effective, and the wireless charging pad kept the phone battery topped off. The test vehicle featured the Rear Seat Media system, offering versatile entertainment options for rear passengers.

The 2022 Acura RDX’s True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system paired a 10.2-inch display screen with a sectioned touchpad controller on the center console. The touchpad corresponded to the screen’s layout, requiring users to match finger location on the pad with the cursor location on the screen. This system was more complicated than a traditional touchscreen, but users could acclimate over time.

The 2022 RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, providing fast and accurate natural voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, satellite radio, and AcuraLink connected services with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The Technology package and higher trims included a navigation system. Three premium sound systems were available, with the base RDX featuring a nine-speaker setup, the Technology package including a 12-speaker ELS Studio system, and higher trims offering a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system. The Advance and A-Spec Advance packages included a 10.5-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe came with standard safety features such as Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims or optional packages added lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and rear pedestrian detection. Premier and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert Seat, and an upgraded blind-spot warning system with trailer coverage.

During testing, the Tahoe Z71’s driving-assistance and collision-avoidance features worked as expected, with no false threats. The available surround-view camera was recommended for maneuvering the large SUV in tight spaces. As the Tahoe was brand new, crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) were not yet available.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades to improve side-impact safety, aiming to maintain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. New safety features included a rear seatbelt reminder system and additional AcuraWatch driver-assist and collision avoidance systems, such as pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Technology package and higher trims included front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking.

AcuraWatch’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were mostly accurate and refined, though not as smooth as some rivals. During testing, the systems issued false warnings and made unnecessary steering corrections in certain conditions. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating, with four-star frontal-impact and rollover resistance ratings and five-star side-impact ratings.