Since showing up in 2007, the Acura RDX has carved out a steady spot in the U.S. luxury crossover crowd. It’s managed to stick around by blending solid performance, dependable engineering, and pricing that doesn’t feel outrageous for the badge.
If you’ve been shopping for an Acura SUV, the RDX has probably already landed on your shortlist. There’s a reason it keeps pulling people in year after year.
It hits that sweet spot between fun to drive and easy to live with, without punishing you at the pump or in the service lane. That balance is exactly why it’s stayed relevant while plenty of rivals have come and gone.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Acura and other authoritative sources, including Kelley Blue Book and TopSpeed.
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Performance has always been part of the formula
Why the RDX still feels quick and confident
Even when it first showed up in 2007, the RDX wasn’t trying to be just another soft, forgettable crossover. It came out swinging with serious hardware under the hood.
Across all three generations, Acura has made a point of giving the RDX some of its strongest and most capable powertrains. It’s always been more than basic transportation.
Power has always been part of the RDX’s appeal
The first-generation RDX was a bit of a rule-breaker, especially for its time. While most luxury SUVs leaned on V-6 power, Acura went with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that pushed out 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque—plenty of punch for a nearly 4,000-pound SUV.
When the second generation arrived for 2013, Acura swapped in Honda’s well-known 3.5-liter J35 V-6 as the only engine option. It brought more horsepower to the table, slightly tweaked torque numbers, and even managed better fuel economy than the old turbo four.
With the third generation, Acura circled back to turbocharged four-cylinder power, this time with the 2.0-liter K20C4. It’s a modern evolution of Honda’s long-running K-Series and brings more power, more torque, and better efficiency than the outgoing V-6.
In other words, the RDX went back to its roots—just with sharper tech and a lot more polish.
Why SH-AWD makes a real difference
From the beginning, Acura has offered its own take on all-wheel drive called SH-AWD, short for Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. Unlike basic AWD setups, this front-biased system can shuffle power between the rear wheels to help the SUV feel more planted and responsive in corners.
The first-generation RDX used a simpler version of SH-AWD, while the second-gen model briefly switched to a more conventional system similar to what you’d find in a Honda CR-V. That changed with the current third generation, which brought back an upgraded SH-AWD setup that dramatically improves grip and balance.
Today’s system can send up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, giving the RDX a noticeably sportier feel. As of 2024, SH-AWD comes standard on every RDX, so you don’t have to pay extra for the good stuff anymore.
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Luxury feel without the luxury markup
Where the RDX undercuts its European rivals
While strong engines have always been part of the RDX’s appeal, that’s not the whole story. It’s never felt stripped-down or barebones in the areas that matter.
Step inside, and it delivers the kind of fit, finish, and overall vibe you expect from a true luxury SUV—just without the eye-watering price tag of many competitors.
A cabin that keeps getting better
The RDX has always leaned into a proper luxury vibe, with leather seating, strong audio systems, and all the comfort features you’d expect at this price point. The first two generations might feel a little dated today, but the build quality and overall fit and finish were never the problem.
The third generation is where things really stepped up. It keeps the same general layout theme but feels noticeably more upscale, especially with the floating center console and Acura’s True Touchpad interface replacing a traditional touchscreen.
If you’re looking for the sweet spot, the Technology Package is hard to ignore. It adds Milano leather, wireless charging, front and rear parking sensors, and a 12-speaker ELS Studio system, and while it may not quite match an equivalent Mercedes-Benz SUV for outright opulence, the RDX still feels every bit like a true luxury crossover when you climb inside.
Big value in a crowded luxury field
One area where the RDX really separates itself from European rivals is value. Stack it up against a similarly equipped BMW or Audi, and the RDX usually comes in thousands cheaper right out of the gate.
What makes that more impressive is that it doesn’t feel like a budget alternative. The 2026 RDX actually puts down more power than the 2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive while undercutting it by about $6,200, and it matches up closely with the 2026 Audi Q5 while starting roughly $7,700 lower before options.
You’re not giving up performance or comfort to save that money, either. If getting the most for your dollar matters, the RDX makes a strong case as one of the smartest luxury SUV buys out there.
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How the RDX built a loyal following
The consistency that keeps owners coming back
The RDX didn’t earn its reputation overnight. It’s been a steady climb built on consistency, smart updates, and getting the basics right year after year.
Buy one, and it’s easy to see why so many owners come back for another. It just hits that rare balance of performance, comfort, reliability, and price that’s hard to walk away from.
Decades of engineering you can count on
Acura has carved out a reputation as one of the more dependable names in the luxury space, and that didn’t happen by accident. Across all three RDX generations, the engines have proven to be tough, long-lasting units, especially the 3.5-liter J35 V-6 in the second gen, which enthusiasts often point to as one of Honda’s most reliable workhorses.
Even the turbocharged four-cylinders used in the other generations have held up well, and they’re typically less expensive to maintain than comparable German turbo engines. The RDX delivers smooth, confident performance that feels right at home in the luxury segment, just without the steep ownership costs that usually come with a European badge.
In a crowded field of premium SUVs, there aren’t many that blend strong performance, solid reliability, and manageable upkeep quite like the RDX. That mix is exactly what keeps it competitive year after year.
Consistency above all else
From the very first RDX, Acura more or less nailed the formula. It figured out how to blend sporty handling with everyday comfort, and instead of reinventing the wheel every few years, it kept refining what already worked.
Each update built on that foundation, smoothing out rough edges and adding better tech without messing with the SUV’s core personality. That steady approach made every new RDX feel like a smarter, more polished version of the one before it.
The current third generation is the biggest leap yet, bringing more power, more features, and a sharper overall package. While the old naturally aspirated V-6 from the second gen had simplicity on its side, today’s RDX delivers so much more across the board that the trade-off feels justified—and no matter the generation, it still nails the value-first luxury crossover formula.
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How the RDX stacks up against its biggest rivals
A closer look at price, performance, and value
The luxury SUV space is more crowded than ever, with new models popping up and old favorites constantly getting refreshed. Even in the middle of all that noise, the RDX continues to hold its ground.
It manages to stay relevant by sticking to its strengths and delivering where it counts most, even as the competition keeps getting tougher.
Putting value first in the luxury space
The RDX is built for buyers who want a taste of luxury without going overboard. It’s not flashy or over-the-top, and it doesn’t try to be the loudest SUV in the valet line.
What it does offer is a carefully measured kind of indulgence. In a segment full of excess and tech-for-the-sake-of-tech, the RDX sticks to being balanced, refined, and priced in a way that still feels grounded.
Some critics brush it off as just an upscale Honda CR-V, but that completely misses the point. The RDX isn’t trying to out-Mercedes a Mercedes—it’s for people who want something nicer than mainstream without signing up for the drama and expense that often come with European luxury ownership.
How the RDX holds its value
With three generations on the used market, the Acura RDX covers a wide range of budgets. A 2007 model carries a Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price of about $5,350, while a well-equipped 2012 SH-AWD example averages closer to $9,475.
Step into the second generation and prices climb steadily. A 2013 model averages around $11,300, the refreshed 2016 sits near $13,900, and the final 2018 models hover around $16,050.
The current generation, which launched in 2019, starts around $20,000 on the used market for a front-wheel-drive Sport trim. A 2022 facelifted model averages roughly $26,200, and since 2024 made SH-AWD standard, those newer used examples range from about $32,000 for a base Sport to nearly $39,800 for a fully loaded A-Spec with the Advance Package.
