2011 Acura RDX Trims and Specs

There’s only one 2011 Acura RDX trim, and it’s called the Base for the simple reason that it’s the no-frills version of this five-passenger compact crossover. Equipped with standard front-wheel drive and no Technology Package, this cute ute nevertheless offers a lot of love. Standard appearance features include a power glass sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler. Comfort and convenience goodies tend to the luxurious, with standard leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, power accessories, including heated reverse-tilting outside mirrors, cruise control, universal remote garage door opener, rear-view camera, leather and simulated alloy dash, steering wheel and console accents, and memory for driver's settings. Entertainment and communications features include standard 360-watt audio with a USB connection, a 6-CD changer, and seven speakers, while Bluetooth hands-free technology ensures plenty of communications. Options, meanwhile, include 19-inch chrome-look or sparkle silver wheels, mud guards, and all-weather floor mats.

Safety equipment for the 2011 RDX Base includes standard four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, front head restraint whiplash protection, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, HID headlights, and a remote anti-theft alarm.

Powering the 2011 RDX Base and all its sub-trims is a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine that combines with the five-speed auto-manual transmission for 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The I4 turbo is good to tow some 1,500 pounds with the proper equipment and gets only an estimated 19/24 mpg, despite the I4 turbo’s variable valve timing.

The 2011 Acura RDX SH-AWD tacks "Super Handling" all-wheel-drive traction onto the well-endowed Base trim for a sportier drive on dry pavement and added traction on slick roads. This five-passenger luxury-oriented compact crossover additionally packs such standard appearance features as a power sunroof, rear spoiler, and 18-inch alloy wheels, while entertainment is provided by a 6-CD changer, USB connection, and seven speakers driven by 360 watts of power. Convenience amenities and creature comforts include leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, and power accessories that include heated, reverse-tilting mirrors. Then there’s cruise control, dual-zone climate control, universal remote garage door opener, rear-view camera, leather and simulated alloy accents, and memory for driver's settings to further coddle occupants, while Bluetooth technology allows hands-free communications.

Safety isn’t neglected in the 2011 RDX SH-AWD, with four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, front head restraint whiplash protection, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, HID headlights, and a remote anti-theft alarm.

The lineup's standard 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine pairs with the standard five-speed auto-manual transmission for 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Towing is maxed out at 1,500 pounds with proper equipment, and mileage, despite variable valve timing (VVT), is estimated at a tepid 17/22 mpg. The RDX SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system, meanwhile, is touted to use weight distribution sensors to power the outside rear wheel through tight turns with better grip and agility on dry pavement, while snowy roads are tamed with full-time AWD.

For 2011, Acura throws its popular Technology Package into the front-wheel-drive Base trim to create the RDX Tech sub-trim. Also standard in this five-passenger compact crossover are 18-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, and a rear spoiler on the outside, with power accessories, leather upholstery, heated power front seats, including heated reverse-tilting mirrors, a universal remote garage door opener, rear-view camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted transmission paddles, audio, and cruise controls, and simulated alloy dash and console accents pampering passengers on the inside. The much-vaunted Technology Package, meanwhile, supplements the 6-CD changer with 10 surround sound speakers and 410 watts of power, while also adding voice-activated DVD navigation and AcuraLink Bluetooth-integrated communications. Topping it all off is a standard USB connection. Options, called accessories in Acura-speak, include splashguards, front and rear all-weather floor mats, and 19-inch chrome-appearance or sparkle silver wheels.

Safety-wise, the 2011 RDX Tech features standard four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, a front head restraint whiplash protection system, remote anti-theft alarm, daytime running lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, front fog/driving lights, and HID headlights.

Driving the 2011 RDX Tech is the ubiquitous 240-hp, 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder (I4) engine that powers all RDX sub-trims. A standard five-speed auto-manual transmission allows the I4 to put out 260 lb-ft of torque, good to tow 1,500 pounds of trailer with proper equipment. Gas mileage is a tepid 19/24 mpg, despite variable valve timing.

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive and a Technology Package distinguish the luxury-oriented 2011 Acura RDX SH-AWD Tech from its peers. Outside, this sporty and techno-savvy five-passenger compact crossover boasts 18-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, and a rear spoiler, while inside, leather upholstery, heated power front seats, power accessories, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, cruise, a universal garage door opener, rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control, and memory for driver's settings are all standard. Complementing all these goodies is a Technology Package that augments the 6-CD changer with 450 watts of power and 10-speaker surround sound, while AcuraLink/Bluetooth hands-free communications and voice-activated DVD navigation are also included.

Safety systems in this cute ute are far from neglected, with four-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags, front head restraint whiplash protection, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, remote anti-theft alarm, daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, and HID headlights all standard.

As with the entire RDX line, the 2011 RDX SH-AWD Tech is powered by the standard variable-valve-timed (VVT) 240-hp, 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder (I4) engine. Combined with the standard five-speed auto-manual transmission, the I4 turbo will put down some 260 lb-ft of traction. The SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system uses weight distribution sensing to direct extra torque to outside rear wheels on dry pavement for some added grip and kick in tight, fast turns. Full-time all-wheel drive, meantime, provides traction in snow and mud. Mileage is estimated at 17/22 mpg, while towing is maxed at some 1,500 pounds with proper equipment.