The Highlander Limited's optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The RDX doesn't offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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

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 Toyota Highlander is safer than the Acura RDX:

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Acura doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the RDX.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander's warranty.

The camshafts in the Highlander's engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The RDX's camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the RDX's cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it's being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Highlander's reliability will be 24% better than the RDX.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 9th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2015 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota third in reliability, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 11th.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The RDX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Highlander has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the RDX (19.2 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Highlander's brake rotors are larger than those on the RDX:

For better traction, the Highlander has larger tires than the RDX (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The Highlander Limited's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RDX's 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Highlander Limited has standard 19-inch wheels. The RDX's largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Highlander's wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the RDX (109.8 inches vs. 105.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Highlander is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .8 inches wider in the rear than on the RDX.

The Highlander's front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the RDX's (60% to 40%). This gives the Highlander more stable handling and braking.

The Highlander has standard seating for 8 passengers; the RDX can only carry 5.

The Highlander has 41.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RDX (144.9 vs. 103.5).

The Highlander has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear headroom, .1 inches more rear legroom, 3.3 inches more rear hip room and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Highlander's middle and third row seats recline. The RDX's rear seats don't recline.

The Highlander's cargo area provides more volume than the RDX.

The Highlander's optional rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The RDX's rear cargo window doesn't open.

Maximum trailer towing in the Acura RDX is limited to 1500 pounds. The Highlander offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Highlander Limited/Platinum's front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The RDX's rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Highlander Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The RDX doesn't offer automatic dimming high beams.

Both the Highlander and the RDX offer available heated front seats. The Highlander Platinum also has standard heated second row seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren't available in the RDX.

On extremely cold Winter days, the Highlander Platinum's standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The RDX doesn't offer a heated steering wheel.

The Highlander XLE/Limited/Platinum has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The RDX doesn't offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Toyota Highlander has won recognition from these important consumer publications: