Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2021 Jaguar F-Pace

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Acura RDX are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Jaguar F-Pace doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The F-Pace doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Compared to metal, the RDX’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Jaguar F-Pace has a metal gas tank.

Both the RDX and the F-Pace have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 68 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The F-Pace has not been tested, yet.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Jaguar covers the F-Pace. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the F-Pace ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

There are over 49 percent more Acura dealers than there are Jaguar dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RDX’s warranty.

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 Jaguar vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 78 more problems per 100 vehicles, Jaguar is ranked 31st.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 more horsepower (272 vs. 246) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 269) than the F-Pace P250’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RDX gets better mileage than the F-Pace:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The F-Pace requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The F-Pace doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the F-Pace.

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 F-Pace doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Jaguar F-Pace.

The RDX is 6.7 inches narrower than the F-Pace, making the RDX easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The RDX has 8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the F-Pace (104 vs. 96).

The RDX has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the F-Pace.

The RDX has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the F-Pace with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 69.1 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Jaguar. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Jaguar is ranked 18th.

The RDX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the F-Pace, and is not available on all models.

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 F-Pace’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The RDX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The F-Pace doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RDX has standard extendable sun visors. The F-Pace doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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

The Car Book by Jack Gillis recommends the Acura RDX, based on economy, maintenance, safety and complaint levels.