2020 Acura RDX Review, Pictures, Pricing and Specs

Unlike various other compact-luxury crossovers that toe the line in between high-end and also flashy, the 2020 Acura RDX allows everyone know it’s the latter. Visually, its angular bodywork and also striking front end attract attention compared to subtler alternatives. Its Acura badge lacks the cache of competitors such as Audi and also BMW, yet the RDX supplies equivalent construct quality at a lower price.

Offered with a wealth of preferable features and a vibrant all-wheel-drive system, this two-row crossover will satisfy most SUV consumers. While the Acura’s small turbocharged engine does not deliver awesome velocity, it’s receptive as well as talkative when prodded. We can look past its unpredictable brake-pedal comments and also clumsy transmission thanks to sharp guiding as well as various other playful driving characteristics.

What’s New for 2020?

Because the RDX was completely upgraded for 2019, Acura just makes a single modification to its very popular model for 2020. The RDX’s sinewy sheetmetal can currently be covered in an all-new outside paint color called Platinum White. The remainder of the sporty crossover rollovers specifically the like last year.

Pricing and Which One to Acquire

• RDX. $ 38,825.
• RDX A-Spec. $ 44,795.

The 2020 RDX is basically a solitary version that can be geared up with numerous distinct packages. Front-wheel drive is typical yet all-wheel drive is available for $2000. Because the A-Spec version is pricey and also does not have any type of reputable efficiency improvements, we would certainly suggest including the Innovation bundle that brings a better audio system, navigation, fancier leather-trimmed seats, and more.

 Those that desire the best choices such as flexible dampers as well as a head-up screen will have to spring for the Advance bundle, however that significantly enhances the bottom line due to the fact that it calls for adding the Innovation bundle.

Engine, Transmission, as well as Performance.

Every Acura RDX is powered by a 272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that couple with a 10-speed automatic transmission and also either front- or all-wheel drive (a.k.a. SH-AWD). The A-Spec version we checked had a receptive gas pedal at low speeds, as well as it pulled away from stoplights with authority. The transmission could be quicker to down-shift with prompt gas-pedal inputs, especially when using the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The turbocharged engine did make the Acura RDX noise extra like the NSX, with its piercing holler throughout hard acceleration that is unnaturally piped right into the cabin with the audio system’s speakers. The Acura RDX we drove had large 20-inch wheels that are consisted of with the A-Spec package. It likewise had the basic suspension arrangement, unlike models with the Advancement plan, which includes flexible dampers that offer flexible flight top quality. While our test car fell short to separate the cabin from rough effect on the roughest roadways, it was never ever penalizing or noisy.

The torque-vectoring SH-AWD also assisted it transform directions swiftly and was backed by precise-feeling steering. The RDX just leaned when we assaulted a freeway on-ramp, yet or else, it was incredibly stabilized for those who take pleasure in driving quickly. However, the brake pedal lessened the experience, due to its inconsistent firmness and responsiveness.

Fuel Economic Climate as well as Real-World MPG.

The RDX has affordable EPA fuel-economy rankings that approach the mid-20s, with front-drive designs getting somewhat greater city and also highway estimates. The front-drive variation is ranked at 22 mpg city and also 28 highway, however both those numbers drop by 1 mpg with four-wheel drive. Furthermore, the A-Spec bundle minimizes each of those EPA freeway price quotes by an additional 1 mpg. We evaluated a 2019 RDX with the A-Spec package and SH-AWD on our 75-mph freeway fuel-economy route, which is part of our comprehensive testing routine, and also accomplished 25 mpg– one less than its EPA rating.

Inside, Convenience, and also Freight.

Inside, the RDX’s in proportion control panel develops an intimate area for front-seat guests. The style is dominated by a rotary drive-mode selector that streams right into a drifting center console. Our test car had the A-Spec package’s flashy red seats and numerous other unique styling little bits. While the cabin’s significant construct top quality and also desirable basic attributes (ambient lights, power-adjustable as well as warmed pole positions, dual-zone environment control) were valued, the RDX stops working to really feel elegant.

Instead, the Acura supplies a sportier experience than, say, the CR-V might ever before provide. Absolutely nothing really feels low-cost or chintzy, and the driving position is high enough to please crossover fans and versatile enough to calm driving fanatics. The RDX’s rear seats conveniently fold level via a deal with on the upper outboard side of the seats or from launch handles in the freight location. We took care of to fit eight carry-on bags with the seats up, and also 22 with them folded. While the RDX has a big storage space tray below its floating facility console, the only various other helpful storage tray is alongside the cupholders in the facility console.

Infotainment as well as Connectivity.

Every Acura RDX has a 10.2-inch touchscreen that’s perched high on the dashboard as well as can be operated via a touchpad that rests pleasantly where the chauffeur’s right-hand man rests on the facility console. Acura calls the controller instinctive, but it was a while prior to we got accustomed to it. The RDX comes criterion with Apple CarPlay, Android Vehicle, and also a Wi-Fi hotspot. The optional Modern technology plan adds built-in navigation, rear-seat USB ports, a 12-speaker ELS Workshop audio system, as well as much more.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Qualities.

The 2019 Acura RDX was named a Top Safety and security Choose+ by the Insurance Policy Institute for Highway Safety, which is the independent crash-test agency’s highest honor. Similarly, the 2020 RDX gained a best first-class score from the National Freeway Traffic Safety And Security Management. Every version includes a host of typical driver-assistance technology, however several various other assists are available with the Innovation plan. These consist of front and also back auto parking sensing units, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Key security functions include:.

• Conventional forward-collision warning as well as automated emergency braking.
• Requirement lane-departure warning as well as lane-keeping assist.
• Criterion adaptive cruise control with low-speed comply with.

Service Warranty as well as Maintenance Protection.

Acura covers the RDX with a warranty plan that lines up with its deluxe rivals. Nonetheless, it doesn’t include complimentary scheduled maintenance as do some rivals, such as the X3 and the Jaguar F-Pace.

• Limited guarantee covers 4 years or 50,000 miles.
• Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles.
• No free of charge arranged maintenance.

From the September 2018 issue.

Acura is changing the aesthetically as well as dynamically dull last-generation RDX, recasting the small crossover as a striking, deliberate thing. The Acura RDX A-Spec design checked below looks better than a wintry Asahi with a side of gyoza. It includes blacked-out accents, gray 20-inch wheels, and also bazooka tubes for tailpipes. The indoor suits the sheetmetal’s attraction with polished-metal pedals, comparison sewing, as well as no-cost red natural leather with black suede inserts. Black leather is additionally available.

Yet while we dig the A-Spec’s looks, the performance is much more B- or C-spec. Acura needs to liberate the RDX’s equipment to do its finest work. Beneath the aluminum hood’s cutaneous-horns is Honda’s turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4, replacing the previous Acura RDX’s 3.5-liter V-6. Its 272 horse power is down seven compared to the outbound engine, yet torque swells 28 lb-ft over the six-cylinder’s optimal to max out at 280. The brand-new four audios great, even if it is an audio track streamed into the cabin. A paddle-shiftable 10-speed manages gearshifts efficiently if a bit lethargically.

The charitable torque contour relocates the 3997-pound SUV around town easily. In Sport Plus setting– Comfort, Sport, as well as Snow are your various other options– and also with the accelerator pushed to the firewall, the all-wheel-drive RDX gets to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds as well as the quarter-mile in 15.2. Both figures-are average for small luxury crossovers, however the boosted number of shifts does not do this ute any type of favors. Compared with the last-gen RDX, this brand-new one requires an added 0.4 second to get to 60 mph.

When driven with mild-aggression, the RDX A-Spec really feels swift on its feet and is quick to transform instructions. The guiding is direct and also linear, as well as Sport Plus setting includes a little welcome heft. Acura’s Super Handling Four-wheel drive can shunt as much as 70 percent of the engine’s torque to the back; from there, a torque-vectoring differential can send out one hundred percent of that torque to either side. SH-AWD does a superb job assisting turn-in, yet, eventually, it’s good equipment squandered. When pushed, an aggressive stability-control system governs any type of genuine enjoyable.

Wider 255/45R -20 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires aid increase skidpad grasp by 0.04 g over the last gen, yet this ute’s 0.81 g still routes practically whatever else in the class, and also the brand-new tires shout when pushed. They just take care of a 177-foot stop from 70 mph– also on the underwhelming end of the sector– as well as the soft brake pedal makes smooth stops difficult.

The structure is more powerful than before, but the strong suspension tuning as well as 20-inch wheels send impacts right into the cabin. Flexible dampers, consisted of only on the top-level Development plan, would be a welcome addition to the A-Spec.

A solitary 10.2-inch display screen replaces the previous RDX’s twin infotainment screens, as well as there’s a brand-new trick to manage the revamped system. Simply below the push-button shifter, real Touchpad Interface makes the implementation of even standard tasks feel counterintuitive. The addition of a quantity knob and adjusting buttons is the system’s only saving grace.

With LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, and also a heap of other features for $46,495, the Acura RDX A-Spec damages rivals from Audi, BMW, and also Lexus by countless dollars. While the A-Spec branding is an-overpromise, the Acura RDX is full of highly excellent things. It simply needs to be freed.