2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2023 Acura RDX

The 2023 Acura RDX was known for its distinctive, sharp, and somewhat angular aesthetic. While it sought to make a statement with its unique design, it balanced this with a conventional look that didn't veer too far from its class. The front end was dominated by Acura's signature grille, a design element that had aged over the years, suggesting the need for an update. The grille was flanked by sleek, wraparound headlights that complemented the car's deep bodywork creases, giving the front a sporty and aggressive look.

A distinctive slash-like character line ran diagonally along the vehicle's side, giving a sense of forward momentum even when it was stationary. The rear of the RDX was more conventional, resembling the styling of many other small SUVs.

Inside, the RDX eschewed the trend of horizontal dashboard layouts for a vertical cockpit design. The center stack flowed into the console, dominated by gear-selector buttons and a drive-mode dial, underscoring Acura's focus on performance. Above this array, physical climate controls sat under a 10.2-inch infotainment display mounted atop the dash. The instrument panel combined analog gauges with a central digital display, all with white-faced gauges accented by red pointers to emphasize its sporty ethos.

However, the interior design did not feel as modern as some competitors that featured large tablet-like touchscreens and fully digital instrument panels. The RDX's cabin resembled an older style updated to include newer tech features, which could appeal more to those unfamiliar with "glass cockpit" designs and seeking less time to acclimate.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 maintained the design introduced in 2019, especially in trims like Adventure and TRD Off-Road, which featured a unique two-part front fascia. The Adventure trim placed the Toyota badge closer to the center of a more aggressively styled grille, while blacking out the wheels and adding a faux skid plate. More obvious black cladding around the wheel arches gave it a more rugged, albeit somewhat pretense, off-road look.

The Adventure trim also added an interior with orange accents. Seats had contrasting stitching and orange plastic borders embellished the otherwise basic center console. A frameless rearview mirror added a touch of premium despite the generally pedestrian-looking interior. Shoppers desiring a more upscale experience were advised to consider the Toyota Venza, which shared the same platform but offered a more car-like comfort.

The RAV4's lower trims like LE and XLE featured fabric seats while XLE Premium upgraded to SofTex, a synthetic leather. The highest trims offered heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats with seat memory for the driver, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel as part of various options packages.

The 2023 Acura RDX was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It came standard with front-wheel drive, though Acura's SH-AWD system was available across all models and standard on top trims. However, unlike many competitors, the RDX did not offer a fuel-efficient or more powerful engine option.

The RDX could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which was average for its class. The throttle response was immediate, and the turbo powertrain was more than sufficient for everyday driving. The engine sounded better than typical four-cylinders, with a deeper tone and sporty burble. The 10-speed automatic transmission was noted for its ability to select the correct gear efficiently, and the brake pedal offered a firm, reassuring feel.

Acura's advanced AWD system and well-managed body roll made the RDX's handling confidence-inspiring. It struck a balance between sportiness and ride comfort, absorbing road imperfections and shrugging off mid-corner bumps with ease.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, with its single engine choice of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission, which was seen as superior to the CVTs found in some competitors like the Honda CR-V. However, its acceleration leaned more towards "adequate" than exciting, and the engine noise was evident.

The RAV4 Adventure had all-season tires on 19-inch wheels with standard MacPherson independent front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, maintaining the same underpinnings as the rest of the RAV4 lineup. The TRD Off-Road trim, on the other hand, benefitted from 18-inch wheels fitted with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension, featuring unique shocks and jounce bumpers, making it more suited for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Acura RDX offered ample interior space, particularly in the front seats, where the generous cushioning and various power adjustments, including side bolsters and thigh extension, ensured long-lasting comfort. Heated and ventilated seats enhanced comfort, quickly warming or cooling occupants as needed.

Rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably, though those over six feet might find headroom restrictive. Legroom and space under the front seats were plentiful, further amplified by a panoramic sunroof creating an open, airy feel.

The RDX held up to 31.1 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats, slightly surpassing many competitors in its class. A deep bin under the cargo floor with a center drain plug was particularly useful for storing wet items. With the rear seats folded, the cargo capacity expanded to 79.8 cubic feet, and remote seatback levers made it easy to transition from passenger to cargo mode.

Storage options for smaller items were abundant in the front, with bins, trays, a covered center console, and cupholders. However, the space-consuming center stack with gear selector buttons and drive mode dial could have been more efficiently designed.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 accommodated five passengers. With the moonroof, the RAV4 provided 37.7 inches of headroom in the front and 39.5 inches in the rear, offering less front-row headroom than the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester but more for rear passengers. The legroom was 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the back, aligning with the CR-V's front leg space but trailing behind both in the rear. The back seat was also comparatively narrow.

The RAV4 excelled in front passenger storage, with a shelf along the glove box, large door pockets, side-by-side center cupholders, and a practical lever-style gear shifter.

In cargo space, the RAV4 offered 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This positioned it slightly above the Mazda CX-5 but below the Honda CR-V in terms of storage capacity.

The 2023 Acura RDX's infotainment system utilized a touchpad controller, reminiscent of Lexus’ earlier, less successful attempt. Although Acura's version was an improvement, it demanded precision that made it challenging to use, especially while driving. The dashtop display was not a touchscreen and was just out of reach, complicating control.

The system performed better with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allowed for easier navigation through swipe gestures on the touchpad. While the system's sharp graphics, quick responses, and logical menus were commendable, the touchpad itself was a significant drawback.

The RDX came standard with a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote monitoring and control via the Acuralink smartphone app, and options for premium audio. The top A-Spec Advanced trim featured a 16-speaker ELS system with impressive sound quality.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 debuted a new infotainment system that brought it up to modern standards. Screen sizes increased, with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen and a 10.5-inch screen for Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The software supported OTA updates and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with voice command.

The upgraded multimedia system in our Adventure trim tester came with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system, costing an additional $3,490. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, while Limited trims featured a 12.3-inch display, available as an upgrade for TRD Off-Road trims.

The 2023 Acura RDX earned excellent safety ratings, with the NHTSA awarding it five stars overall and for side-impact protection, and four stars for frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS gave it top marks in crashworthiness and named it a Top Safety Pick+.

Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. The Technology package added front and rear parking sensors, while the Advance package included a surround-view camera and a head-up display. The systems generally performed well, with smooth adaptive cruise control and somewhat intrusive lane-keep assist in curves.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with the TSS 2.5 suite, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, enhancing its adaptive cruise control capabilities. Standard safety features were lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on the base LE and standard from XLE upwards.

The RAV4 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for 2023, improving from its 2022 status. It performed well in crash tests, though it had some lower marks in updated side and moderate overlap front crash tests.