2021 Acura RDX vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a nod to the classic Bronco, capturing its rugged spirit in a more compact, urban-friendly package. It featured a modern retro design that echoed the Land Rover aesthetic, with short front and rear overhangs for improved off-road capability. The vehicle's tall fender wells and tucked-in body sides were crafted for trail driving, minimizing the risk of snagging on obstacles. The Bronco Sport's bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with its modest Ford blue oval badge, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior, with a unique design for the HVAC vents and an 8-inch infotainment screen. The interior trim varied across models, from cloth to leather-trimmed heated seats, and the cargo area was designed with practicality in mind, featuring rubberized flooring and a smart cargo management system.

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, was a stylish SUV that balanced sportiness with elegance. Its design changes were subtle yet effective, avoiding the typical off-road embellishments and focusing on a sleek, road-oriented appearance. The RDX A-Spec sat in the middle of the trim hierarchy, offering a range of features at a competitive price point. The interior of the RDX A-Spec was sporty and sophisticated, with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting. The cabin materials were of high quality, and the controls were designed with a form-over-function approach. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were difficult to read, except at night. Despite this, the RDX's interior delivered a sporty and premium feel, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and comfortable SUV.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model came with a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and decent ground clearance made it a capable off-roader, while its on-road manners were well-suited for daily driving. The 2.0-litre engine in the Badlands trim provided a more refined driving experience, while the 1.5-litre engine could feel strained under pressure.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system were standard, enhancing the RDX's handling and driving dynamics. 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 featured exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels with performance all-season tires, contributing to its sporty handling. However, the lack of adaptive dampers in the A-Spec trim resulted in some body motion on uneven roads. Despite this, the RDX A-Spec was enjoyable to drive, with precise steering, fade-resistant brakes, and a broad torque curve. The RDX's performance was further enhanced by its engaging engine note in Sport+ mode.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features that catered to outdoor enthusiasts. Its cargo space was engineered to accommodate two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes, and a range of accessories was available for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 68 kilograms, and the 2.0-litre engine could tow up to 997 kilograms. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass, a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might find visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2021 Acura RDX provided remarkable passenger and cargo space for a compact SUV, making it a great value. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. The A-Spec trim added Alcantara and leather seats, along with ventilation. However, the need to maximize utility compromised rear-seat comfort, resulting in a lack of leg support and an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with a large but inaccessible tray under the centre console. The cargo area measured 835 litres behind the rear seat, with additional storage compartments under the floor. Folding the rear seats increased cargo capacity to 1,668 litres, though Acura quoted a maximum volume of 2,260 litres based on a less practical loading method.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured the latest infotainment systems, including an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available SiriusXM. FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system was available on higher trims. The terrain management system offered up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was included on all trims except the Base model, and higher trims offered heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. This system mirrored the screen, allowing drivers to control the display by touching corresponding areas on the pad. While an improvement over similar 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, delivering excellent sound quality. The RDX also offered satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tethering, and an available navigation system.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and more. The Bronco Sport received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, 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.