2020 Acura RDX vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Acura RDX retained its striking design from the previous year, featuring a bold grille and sleek headlights that made it one of the most attractive vehicles in its segment. The oversized logo on the grille, while initially amusing, blended well with the overall design. The RDX's exterior was characterized by a distinctive upper character line that swooped from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line that created the illusion of a large spoiler. Inside, the RDX boasted sharp styling with eye-catching red leather upholstery, creating a striking red-and-black interior aesthetic. The RDX came well-equipped with standard features like synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen. Various packages offered additional luxury and performance features, with the A-Spec package adding unique visual upgrades and the Advance Package providing premium amenities.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan offered a more understated and timeless design, appealing to those who appreciated clean lines and balanced proportions. The Tiguan was notably large for its class, providing a spacious interior that could accommodate up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat. The interior featured a modern geometric design with a no-nonsense control layout, although some hard plastics detracted from its premium feel. The Tiguan's cabin was dressed up with shiny detailing and an integrated touchscreen infotainment system. Available in several trims, including sporty R-Line variants, the Tiguan's pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095, offering a range of options for different budgets.

The 2020 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, delivering impressive acceleration and a satisfying engine note. The power was managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). The RDX offered various drive modes, including Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. Despite its powerful performance, the RDX maintained a comfortable ride, with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 27 highway, and 24 combined for the A-Spec model with SH-AWD.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the Tiguan's engine suffered from turbo lag, and its nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to a perception of lethargy during acceleration. The Tiguan's eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available as an option. The Tiguan's fuel economy was rated at 25 mpg combined for front-wheel drive and 24 mpg for AWD, with our test model averaging 22.6 mpg. Despite its performance shortcomings, the Tiguan offered a pleasant driving experience with light steering, a compliant ride, and quiet highway manners.

The 2020 Acura RDX pushed the boundaries of a compact SUV, offering a spacious cabin with comfortable and supportive front seats. The second row provided ample headroom and decent legroom, while the cargo area offered 29.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 58.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The RDX's interior featured clever storage solutions, including a pass-through cargo tray and hidden compartments.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with easy entry and exit, thanks to large doors and tall seating positions. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments, while the back seat provided generous legroom and support. The Tiguan's cargo space varied depending on the presence of a third-row seat, ranging from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet. The Tiguan's interior included practical features like a panoramic sunroof and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat.

The 2020 Acura RDX's infotainment system was a letdown, with its True Touchpad Interface proving cumbersome to use. Despite the vivid widescreen display, the touchpad's lack of intuitive scrolling made it challenging to operate. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The Technology Package added navigation and an ELS premium audio system, while the A-Spec offered an ELS Studio 3D sound system. The Advance Package included a head-up display.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system, offering an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a range of connected services. While an improvement, the system had quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. Higher trims featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a nine-speaker Fender audio system.

The 2020 Acura RDX came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including airbags, LATCH systems, and a rear-view camera. Driver-assistance features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Technology Package added parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, while the Advance Package offered a 360-degree camera. The RDX received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the IQ Drive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Tiguan's safety features included a reversing camera and automatic post-collision braking. The IIHS awarded the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick rating for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.