WHICH IS THE BEST - THE-CADILLAC-XT4 VS ACURA-RDX

CADILLAC XT4

For the past few years, demand for crossover has constantly been on the rise. Consumers want more from a car than the classic sedan can offer, yet they aren't as drawn to SUVs as they once were. This new breed, between the sedan and the SUV, emerged and it attracted so many buyers that it has become one of the most competitive car classes today. Every car manufacturer wants to impress prospective buyers looking for a crossover, so choices are plenty.

It's very surprising that up until last year Chevrolet had no horse in the crossover race. The last of the big companies to add a crossover to their offer, they did it in style with the addition of the XT4, one of the best cars in its class out there today. We'll compare it with the Acura RDX, a model that's been on the market for more than a decade, currently at the start of the third generation.

The XT4 is Chevrolet's only crossover and it seems like the company wanted to compensate for the lack of other models by making a perfect one. The XT4 seems to have everything working for it, starting with one of the best exterior designs in its class. Definitely Chevrolet's boldest and most modern design, with sharp, aggressive lines from front to back, it makes the car stand out in a phenomenally competitive segment. The company used its late start to their advantage and, having the possibility of starting with a blank drawing board, they thought of the future, which gave the model a dramatic and bold shape. No old guidelines to be respected, just pure, untampered fantasy materialized in one sexy-looking automobile. As much as I try, I can't find another model on the market today with a better-looking exterior than the XT4, something that also holds true for the interior.

Soft-touch materials, impeccable craftsmanship and a lot of tech make the car seem much pricier than it actually is. There's ample room inside for all passengers, even the ones in the back and you'll find options usually reserved only for the luxury class, one of which is the Premium Luxury Pack. For a little over 1000$, you'll get power-adjustable and massaging leather seats up front, a feature that almost all other competitors don't offer. Speaking of features, the XT4's list of standard ones is extremely long. You get 18-inch wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, LED headlights and taillights, power-adjustable front seats, four USB charging ports, dual-zone climate control, a 4.2-inch driver information display, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility fitted on even basic models.

Under the hood, the XT4 has a superb 2.0-liter turbo-4 that produces 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet. Coupled with a 9-speed automatic, they make for a very responsive and powerful duo.

The Acura RDX got a complete makeover for 2019 and you can see it. Sharp lines on the exterior give it a modern look, although it seems to be a little too aggressive and it could do with fewer curves.

Using the same-sized engine as the XT4, a 2.0-liter turbo-4 Acura edges the Chevrolet in terms of horsepower, with 272 and 280 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic make the RDX a joy to drive and if you had to pick a winner between these two the Acura would take it, but just by a hair.

So far the score is 1-1, with Chevrolet winning when it comes to exterior looks and the RDX taking the first place engine-wise, but the interior puts the XT4 back in the lead. The RDX has a great interior, don't get me wrong. There's plenty of room and there are plenty of upscale materials, but the overall look and feel of the XT4 aren't matched.

RDX's list of standard features is impressive and among other things it consists of a 10.2-inch center screen, Apple CarPlay compatibility, keyless ignition, 12-way heated front sport seats, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a nine-speaker infotainment system that comes with USB ports, Bluetooth audio streaming, and satellite and HD radio.
Choosing the best between these two great cars is tougher than it seems. Both are outstanding in almost all aspects and they take turns edging each other, but with minimal differences. It's safe to say that whether you pick the XT4 or the RDX, you won't feel that you went the wrong way, so follow your heart and choose the one that speaks to you the most.