2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a compact crossover that embraced the rugged appeal of SUVs while maintaining the practicality of a hatchback. It was essentially an Impreza hatchback with a more adventurous spirit, featuring standard all-wheel drive (AWD), black body cladding, and model-specific alloy wheels. The Crosstrek's elevated ride height provided 22 centimetres of ground clearance, making it suitable for light off-road adventures. Its vibrant colour options, like Plasma Yellow Pearl, added to its character, while the interior remained functional but somewhat plain, with water-repellant upholstery and simulated carbon-fibre trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX, especially in the A-Spec trim, was a stylish SUV that exuded sportiness without excessive embellishments. It avoided the rugged off-road look, focusing instead on a sleek design for daily driving and road trips. The RDX A-Spec sat in the middle of the trim hierarchy, offering a balance of style and performance. Its interior featured sport seats with simulated suede inserts, a sport steering wheel, and red ambient lighting, creating a sporty atmosphere. However, the gauge cluster's red markings on a brushed silver background were challenging to read during the day.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre boxer-four engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque, and a new 2.5-litre boxer-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, available on the Outdoor and Limited trims. The boxer engine's design provided a lower centre of gravity, enhancing handling, although the SUV-like stance diminished some benefits. The Crosstrek featured a six-speed manual transmission for the 2.0-litre engine, while most buyers opted for the continuously variable transmission (CVT). All trims came with standard AWD, and the new Outdoor trim introduced Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud modes for improved traction. Despite its SUV aspirations, the Crosstrek excelled on pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Acura RDX, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, which enhanced handling by distributing power to the rear wheels. The RDX offered various driving modes, including Sport and Sport+, which adjusted powertrain response and steering effort. The A-Spec trim came with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, contributing to its sporty feel. While the RDX lacked adaptive dampers, it delivered a rewarding driving experience with precise steering and fade-resistant brakes.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek provided the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It offered 588 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,565 litres with them folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. It featured a rear-seat reminder system and a convenient cubby hole for phones, but storage space was limited. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, offering good visibility, but it didn't provide the commanding view of traditional SUVs.

In contrast, the 2021 Acura RDX excelled in passenger and cargo space, offering remarkable value for a compact SUV. The front seats were comfortable, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. The A-Spec trim added Alcantara and leather seats, along with ventilation. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised by a low and flat cushion, resulting in a lack of leg support. The RDX's cargo area measured 835 litres behind the rear seats and 1,668 litres with them folded. It featured a deep storage well and additional compartments for organization, although the official cargo volume figures were not class-leading.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured Subaru's Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The system was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. Subaru also included a second screen above the main touchscreen for additional information display.

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 Lexus's approach, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX offered standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi tethering, with an available navigation system. The A-Spec trim included a premium 16-speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D audio system, delivering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, lane centring, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added automatic high beams, reverse automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, EyeSight's cameras could be obstructed by windshield wipers and direct sunlight.

The 2021 Acura RDX came equipped with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, 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, although it received four stars in frontal-impact and rollover resistance tests.