Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback

Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the RDX. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the e-tron Sportback.

Both the RDX and the e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Audi e-tron Sportback:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Audi e-tron Sportback:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the e-tron Sportback. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the e-tron Sportback ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RDX’s reliability 29 points higher than the e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 26th in initial quality. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

The RDX’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel is 478.8 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The e-tron Sportback’s range is only 218 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 30 minutes for only a 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 10 hours and 30 minutes.

The RDX A-Spec’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 45 series tires.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX AWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on FWD/A-Spec) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the e-tron Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the RDX’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (38.9 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1650 to 1950 pounds less than the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The RDX is 5.6 inches shorter than the e-tron Sportback, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room and .4 inches more rear headroom than the e-tron Sportback.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The RDX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The e-tron Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the e-tron Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The RDX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $6645 to $9245 less than the e-tron Sportback over a five-year period.

The RDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RDX will retain 49.86% to 51.01% of its original price after five years, while the e-tron Sportback only retains 40.32% to 40.53%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura RDX will be $31117 to $32333 less than for the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Acura RDX outsold the Audi e-tron by over six to one during the 2021 model year.