2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a testament to timeless design, maintaining its appeal over a decade after its debut. It combined rugged utility with upscale sophistication, featuring big wheels under flared fenders, creating a balanced automotive art piece. The Grand Cherokee's design contributed significantly to its success, offering a blend of mainstream, luxury, and performance SUV characteristics. The model lineup ranged from the affordable Laredo and Limited trims to the upscale Overland and Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk models. The Summit trim, with its 5.7-litre V8 engine and premium interior, exemplified luxury, though the interior design showed signs of aging.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura RDX featured subtle styling changes inspired by the larger MDX model, with updates to the grille, bumpers, wheels, and paint colours. The limited-production PMC Edition stood out with its exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint. The RDX lineup included the base model, Technology, A-Spec, A-Spec Platinum Elite, and PMC Edition, with prices ranging from $45,800 to $61,500. The A-Spec Platinum Elite package offered high-quality materials, solid build quality, and a quieter interior, enhancing its appeal. Despite some design quirks, the RDX maintained a stylish edge over many competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 2,818 kilograms. For those seeking more power, the optional 5.7-litre Hemi V8 offered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, with a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,300 kg. The V8 featured cylinder deactivation technology, though fuel efficiency remained a concern. The Quadra-Trac II 4WD system, Quadra-Lift air suspension, and Selec-Terrain traction management provided excellent off-road capabilities. Despite its power, the Grand Cherokee's V8 was thirsty, and the ride could be bouncy on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system enhanced the RDX's driving dynamics, offering a smooth and responsive ride. The revised Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) and adaptive-damping suspension improved comfort and responsiveness. The RDX's quieter cabin and enjoyable driving character made it a compelling choice, though it lacked the performance badge of Acura's Type S models. Despite this, the RDX remained a comfortable and communicative SUV for everyday driving.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit offered a luxurious interior with quilted leather and wood trim, though the design felt dated. The front seats provided eight-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, but the rear seat was less spacious, with limited legroom. The optional rear-seat entertainment system added to the sense of claustrophobia. Cargo space was adequate, with 1,028 litres behind the rear seat and 1,934 litres with the seats folded. However, the Grand Cherokee needed more practical interior storage.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered ample room for four adults and their luggage. The interior featured a sporty driving position and a unique control layout, including the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation. The back seat, while flat and lacking support, folded down to create a flat cargo load floor. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,668 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect 4C with Nav infotainment system, offering a user-friendly experience with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The system's voice recognition worked well, and the Summit trim included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, the Grand Cherokee was considered "tech lite," with essential features but lacking advanced digital capabilities.

The 2022 Acura RDX's True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system paired a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller, offering a direct one-to-one relationship between touchpad and screen. While the system required acclimation, the RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The RDX offered three premium sound systems, with the ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system available in higher trims.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA for 4WD models, but its performance in IIHS tests was less impressive, with "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions. The Summit trim included the ProTech II Package, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. However, the Grand Cherokee's safety ratings were a concern.

The 2022 Acura RDX earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with structural upgrades improving side-impact safety. The AcuraWatch suite included forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RDX received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems were not as refined as some competitors.