Compare the2022 Acura RDXVS 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

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 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 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 Range Rover Velar 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 Land Rover Range Rover Velar has a metal gas tank.

Both the RDX and the Range Rover Velar 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 Range Rover Velar has not been tested, yet.

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

There are over 42 percent more Acura dealers than there are Land Rover dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RDX’s warranty.

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 16 points higher than the Range Rover Velar.

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 Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Acura 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 136 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 33rd.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (272 vs. 247) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 269) than the Range Rover Velar P250’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura RDX is faster than the Range Rover Velar P250 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the RDX gets better mileage than the Range Rover Velar:

Both the RDX and the Range Rover Velar have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stop lights and heavy traffic. All RDXs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The Range Rover Velar P340/P400 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Range Rover Velar 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 Range Rover Velar 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 Range Rover Velar.

The RDX stops much shorter than the Range Rover Velar:

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Range Rover Velar’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Range Rover Velar.

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 Range Rover Velar doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Range Rover Velar pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RDX AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Range Rover Velar (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the Land Rover Range Rover Velar.

The RDX is 5.2 inches narrower than the Range Rover Velar, making the RDX easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

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

The RDX has 1.5 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Range Rover Velar.

The RDX has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Range Rover Velar with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 70.1 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Land Rover. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 68% lower rating, Land Rover is ranked 31st.

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 Range Rover Velar, and is not available on all models.

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 Range Rover Velar 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 Range Rover Velar doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura RDX offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Range Rover Velar doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The RDX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Range Rover Velar 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.