2021 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 GMC Yukon was a full-size SUV that embodied a blend of ruggedness and refinement, positioning itself as a premium-grade vehicle within the General Motors lineup. It was available in various trims, including the SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali, with the Denali trim offering an exclusive dashboard design and upscale features like real wood trim and leather-wrapped panels. The Yukon Denali Ultimate, with its Midnight Blue paint and 22-inch wheels, stood out with its intricate grillework and chrome accents, providing a more sophisticated appearance compared to its Chevrolet Tahoe counterpart. Despite its premium features, the Yukon Denali came with a hefty price tag, reflecting its status as a substantial and luxurious SUV.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, was a compact SUV that exuded sportiness through subtle styling changes. It avoided the rugged off-road look, focusing instead on delivering a sleek and athletic appearance. The RDX A-Spec featured exclusive design elements like Shark Gray 20-inch alloy wheels and a sporty interior with simulated suede inserts and red ambient lighting. While it didn't offer the same level of off-road capability as the Yukon, the RDX was designed for daily driving and road trips, providing a comfortable and stylish ride without overpromising on performance.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options, with the Denali trim featuring a 420-horsepower 6.2-litre V8 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivered robust acceleration and a distinctive V8 burble, although it wasn't particularly fuel-efficient. The Yukon Denali's Active Response 4WD system, with its Autotrac two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, enhanced cornering performance and traction. Despite its size, the Yukon Denali was capable of handling various driving situations, although it wasn't designed for off-roading or towing heavy loads, with a towing capacity of 3,629 kilograms.

The 2021 Acura RDX, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which improved handling by distributing power to the rear wheels. The RDX offered multiple driving modes, including Sport and Sport+, which enhanced the driving experience with a more aggressive engine note. While the RDX A-Spec didn't have adaptive dampers, it provided a rewarding driving experience with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes, making it a fun and agile SUV to drive.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, resulting in increased passenger and cargo space. The Denali trim featured leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sliding console for added convenience. The second-row seats were heated and could slide and collapse for improved comfort and cargo room. The third-row seat offered better thigh support, accommodating adults comfortably. The Yukon Denali provided substantial cargo volume, with up to 3,480 litres of space, making it comparable to a minivan in terms of storage capacity.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The A-Spec trim included Alcantara and leather seats with 12-way power adjustment, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seats lacked leg support, and the cargo floor was low and flat, affecting rear passenger comfort. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, with additional storage compartments for organizing items. Folding the rear seats increased the cargo capacity to 1,668 litres, with a maximum value of 2,260 litres when measured with the front seats moved forward.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali came equipped with a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system. The Rear Seat Media system, with dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays, offered entertainment options for passengers, although it required some setup for streaming content. The Yukon also featured a 15-inch colour head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera angles, enhancing its technological offerings.

The 2021 Acura RDX introduced the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) 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 some adjustment for users familiar with traditional touchpads. The RDX offered a 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D premium audio system, providing excellent sound quality. Despite the TTI's learning curve, the RDX included features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enhancing its overall technology package.

The 2021 GMC Yukon was equipped with advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the Yukon's substantial curb weight provided a sense of security.

The 2021 Acura RDX came 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, although it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.