Since its introduction in 2007, the Acura RDX has been one of the leading luxury crossover SUVs in the U.S. The Acura RDX offers a strong balance of performance, reliability, and value that has kept it competitive among its rivals for decades.
If you are on the lookout for an Acura SUV to soon grace your driveway, you certainly have looked into the Acura RDX. Yet, what exactly about this luxury SUV makes it so special and desirable? Stick around as we break down what makes the Acura RDX a timeless SUV favorite among fans.
Performance Has Always Been At The Forefront
Even back in 2007, the Acura RDX was never just your average SUV. Acura consistently provided the Acura RDX with its best and most capable powertrains across all three generations.
Strong Powertrains Have Defined The Acura RDX
The first-generation Acura RDX was a true renegade, being one of the few four-cylinder-powered luxury SUVs of its era. Although not a lightweight SUV at 3,968 pounds, the 2.3-liter turbocharged K23A1 engine provided strong performance with 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The second-generation, introduced in the 2013 model year, introduced Honda’s iconic 3.5-liter J35 V-6 as its sole engine option. The J35 V-6 produced more horsepower and generally improved fuel economy compared to the first-gen turbo engine, while torque figures changed only slightly.
The third and current generation reintroduced the turbo-four engine to the Acura RDX, now the 2.0-liter K20C4 engine. This turbo engine is an evolution of the original Honda K-Series found in the first-generation RDX and delivers more power, torque, and fuel efficiency than its V-6 predecessor.
The Benefits Of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD)
Since the first generation, Acura has offered a premium optional proprietary AWD system dubbed SH-AWD. This front-biased AWD system defined itself by varying torque distribution between the rear wheels. A less complex version of SH-AWD was found in the first-generation Acura RDX, while the second-generation RDX utilized a conventional open differential AWD system as found in the Honda CR-V.
The third and current generation of the Acura RDX returned to a revised SH-AWD system, which provides a substantial grip increase compared to its predecessor. The current SH-AWD system can send up to 70 percent of the power to the rear wheels and is now standard on all RDX models as of the 2024 model year.
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A Premium Experience At A Value Price
While the Acura RDX’s versatile powertrains have been its driving force, this Acura SUV is not lacking in any desirable category. The interior has always provided the look and feel of a proper luxury vehicle, all while keeping prices relatively low compared to its competitors.
Consistent Interior Refinement
The Acura RDX has always presented itself as a premium luxury experience with standard leather seating, hi-fi audio, and a selection of modern creature comforts. While the first and second generation RDX may feel a bit antiquated with their interior amenities nowadays, the fit and finish have always been great. The third-generation RDX provided a noticeable increase in interior quality that makes its predecessor feel antiquated in comparison, despite retaining a similar overall interior theme.
The most perceivable change is the floating center console design featuring Acura’s True Touchpad interface. Acura uses its True Touchpad interface instead of a traditional touchscreen.The optional Technology Package provides the best value of any current-generation Acura RDX trim with Milano leather upholstery, wireless charging pad, front and rear parking sensors, and the 12-speaker ELS Studio audio system. While not quite as high-quality as the interior of an equivalent Mercedes-Benz SUV, the Acura RDX still provides a great look and feel when you step inside the cabin.
The Acura RDX Offers Undeniable Value
A factor in which the Acura RDX absolutely dominates its European competition is value. Compared to a similarly equipped BMW or Audi SUV, the Acura RDX, along with other Acura SUVs, often costs thousands less. If sheer value and a lower entry price are a priority, then the Acura RDX is more appealing than its European rivals.
The performance and comfort of the Acura RDX, despite its lower prices, are well within the fighting range of any luxury SUV. For example, the 2026 Acura RDX offers more power than the 2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive and is $6,200 less expensive than the BMW SUV. The 2026 Audi Q5 offers about the same performance output as the 2026 Acura RDX, but is priced $7,700 higher than the RDX’s base price before any options are added. If you want the ultimate bang-for-your-buck, an Acura SUV is likely to be among the most high-value options available.
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Why The Acura RDX Has Earned Loyal Fans
The Acura RDX has built its reputation over the years through a solid foundation, consistency, and incremental improvements year after year. Once you buy an Acura RDX, you may end up becoming a repeat owner in the future because of how well-balanced this Acura SUV is in every major category.
Engineering Trust Built Over Decades
Acura has defined itself as one of the most reliable luxury automakers on the market through years of consistency. The powertrains available through the three generations of the Acura RDX have been some of the most durable examples in recent history. Specifically, the 3.5-liter J35 V-6 offered in the second generation is known as the go-to V-6 engine, offering the optimal blend of reliability and power.
Even the turbocharged inline-fours found in the other generations, despite being more complex than the second-generation’s V-6, are often cheaper to maintain when compared to German turbocharged engines. The Acura RDX offers a smooth and strong performance quality comparable to its European rivals for a fraction of the price. Within the segment of luxury SUVs, you won’t find many other examples that offer the same value and low upkeep costs as the Acura RDX.
Consistency Over Everything
From the first RDX model, Acura had already found the ideal recipe for creating a fun and enjoyable luxury SUV experience. Because the foundation was solid from the start, the Acura RDX never had to make radical changes to keep up with market trends. Instead, the Acura RDX relied on keeping its core sport crossover formula consistent as yearly updates improved specific details. Every following year was built on the success of the previous, making each new Acura RDX feel just that much better than the last.
The third and current generation was the most significant jump of any generation. The current Acura RDX is better-equipped, more powerful, and more capable than ever before. The trade-off was a slight drop in reliability as the naturally-aspirated V-6 powering the second-generation offered unrivaled simplicity for its capability. However, considering how much better the current generation is as an overall package when compared to the second generation, the trade-off is well worth it. No matter which generation you’re interested in, the Acura RDX provides everything you could want out of a luxury crossover SUV while keeping value at the forefront of its attractiveness.
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A Value-First Approach To Luxury Shopping
The Acura RDX is a luxury SUV built for shoppers who want to have their cake and eat it too. If you are looking for the most extreme or flamboyant SUV on the market, the Acura RDX is certainly not for you. The appeal of the Acura RDX is its calculated indulgence. This Acura SUV remains a balanced product with clear value in a segment defined by extravagance and performative innovations.
Acura’s critics may generalize the Acura RDX to be nothing more than an upscale Honda CR-V. Yet, we genuinely ask, is that supposed to be a bad thing? These individuals are missing the whole point of what makes the Acura RDX so desirable within the luxury SUV segment. The Acura RDX is not an alternative to a Mercedes or BMW SUV. Rather, it is a premium option available to those who want something a little nicer than a Honda CR-V, but have no interest in the frivolities and expenses that come with European luxury SUV ownership.
Resale And Current Market Values
With three generations of the Acura RDX for sale, there are a variety of price points available. If we look at the first model year of the Acura RDX in 2007, the Kelley Blue Book ‘Fair Purchase Price’ is $5,350. The average price of the final model year of the first generation, 2012, is $9,475 when equipped with the desirable SH-AWD system. The average price of the first model year of the second generation, 2013, is $11,300. In 2016, the Acura RDX received a significant facelift. This 2016 model’s average price is $13,900. The average price of the final model year of the second generation, 2018, is $16,050.
Moving to the current generation in 2019, we see a jump in price to an average of $20,000 for an FWD Sport model. In 2022, the current generation saw a facelift, and its average used price starts around $26,200. New inventory of both 2025 and 2026 model year Acura RDX models is still available now, so the newest used model you could buy is a 2024 model year. The SH-AWD system became standard in 2024, and the current average is $32,000 for a base Sport trim and rises to $39,800 for a fully-loaded A-Spec and Advance Package trim.
Sources: Acura, Kelley Blue Book