2022 Acura RDX vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks showcased a bold exterior redesign, aligning it with the aesthetic of other Nissan models like the Armada and Rogue. Its front featured a distinctive "double V-motion" grille, complemented by thinner, elongated headlights that extended down the face of the vehicle. The top-tier Kicks SR and SR Premium trims boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights, enhancing its modern look. At the rear, a new bumper and LED taillight combination added a sense of proportion reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. The Kicks offered a variety of new paint options, including Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, with a two-tone paint job available for most colours, enhancing its stylish appeal.

Inside, the Kicks maintained its familiar layout but with upgraded materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. The SR Premium trim featured Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design, adding a touch of luxury. The model also offered over 100 million colour combinations through Nissan Kicks Colour Studio accessories, allowing for extensive customization. The interior design emphasized comfort and practicality, with features like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and shift knob standard in the SR Premium model.

The 2022 Acura RDX, while subtle in its exterior updates, drew inspiration from the larger MDX model, featuring a revised grille surround and updated bumper styling. The limited-production PMC Edition stood out with its exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interior. The RDX lineup included various trims, with the A-Spec Platinum Elite package offering high-quality interior materials and a quieter cabin. Despite some controversial design elements like the vertical air inlets, the RDX maintained a stylish presence, appealing to those seeking a luxury compact SUV.

Inside, the RDX offered a spacious cabin with a sporty driving position and a panoramic sunroof. The interior layout, however, required some acclimatization due to its unique control setup, including the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system. The A-Spec trims featured metallic gauge faces with red markings, which could be challenging to read in low light. Despite these quirks, the RDX provided a comfortable and supportive driving experience, with features like 12-way power-adjustable heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control standard across the lineup.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, provided adequate power for its size, though it was not particularly zippy. The Kicks featured electric power-assisted steering and a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension, contributing to its nimble handling. Despite its front-wheel-drive setup, the Kicks performed well on icy roads, with minimal engine noise entering the cabin. The model came with standard 16-inch steel wheels on the base trim, while higher trims offered 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The Kicks boasted impressive fuel efficiency, with ratings of 7.7 L/100 km in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 7.2 combined.

The 2022 Acura RDX, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder VTEC engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, offered a dynamic driving experience. The RDX’s adaptive-damping suspension and revised Integrated Dynamics System provided a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. Despite its performance capabilities, the RDX’s fuel consumption averaged 11.4 L/100 km, slightly higher than its Natural Resources Canada rating. The RDX excelled in driving dynamics, offering a comfortable and communicative experience, though it did not qualify for Acura's Type S performance badge.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made efficient use of its compact size, offering easy-to-reach controls and good small-item storage. The cabin featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Kicks provided best-in-class front seat legroom, though its hip room was somewhat limited for larger drivers. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, a rarity in the subcompact class. The available tonneau cover offered hidden storage in the rear cargo area, enhancing practicality.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered ample space for four adults and their luggage. The cabin featured a sporty driving position and a standard panoramic sunroof. The RDX’s control layout required some adjustment, with the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system and unique transmission controls. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation and a heated steering wheel. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, prioritizing a flat cargo load floor when folded. The RDX offered a generous 835 litres of cargo space, with additional hidden storage compartments beneath the load floor.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a competitive array of technology features, including a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and a USB-C port. The Kicks SR Premium boasted a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system, providing an immersive audio experience. The model also featured a surround-view monitor, offering a 360-degree camera view for easier parking.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which paired a 10.2-inch display with a touchpad controller. While the system required some acclimatization, it offered a direct one-to-one relationship between the touchpad and screen. The RDX included Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The model offered three premium sound systems, with the A-Spec Platinum Elite trim featuring a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system. A 10.5-inch head-up display was also available on higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance features including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning. The Kicks SV and SR trims added adaptive cruise control and a driver alertness monitor. While the 2021 Kicks had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, the similar 2020 model received Good marks in crashworthiness. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Kicks a four-star overall rating.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety, maintaining its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The model featured a rear seatbelt reminder system and the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assist systems, including forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The RDX’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems were mostly accurate, though not as refined as some competitors. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 RDX a five-star overall crash-test rating.