2023 Acura RDX Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Acura RDX is unique in its class for its sharp, angular style, but it remains conventional enough to not stand out from the crowd. Up front, the signature Acura grille is the centerpiece, and after decades of evolution, we think it's showing its age and may be in need of a refresh. It's flanked by sleek wraparound headlights and the deep creases in the bodywork and hood give the nose a sporty and aggressive look.

The side is accentuated by a distinctive character line that slashes diagonally down the length of the vehicle, suggesting forward movement, even when it's parked. The rear of the RDX is more conventional than the rest of the car and looks similar to many other small SUVs in its overall styling.

In recent years, many interior designers have favored a horizontal dashboard layout to enhance the sensation of lateral space, but the RDX takes a different route. The cockpit has a distinct vertical layout, with the center stack of controls flowing into the center console. The center section is dominated by the gear-selector buttons and drive-mode dial, emphasizing Acura's focus on performance. Above that section are some physical climate controls and a 10.2-inch infotainment display atop the dash. The instrument panel features a digital center display with analog gauges on either side. The white-faced gauges with red flourishes further accentuate the RDX's sporting intent.

The interior isn't as modern as some of its rivals that employ oversized tablet-like touchscreens and fully digital instrument panels. Instead, the RDX's cabin looks more like an older design that has been updated to deliver newer tech features. That's not so much a knock against Acura though, as those who may be averse to the new glass cockpits will likely find the RDX more familiar and require less time to get acquainted. Those seeking the newest, edgy design might be disappointed.

The 2023 Acura RDX is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel-drive (AWD), which Acura dubs “super-handling all-wheel drive,” or “SH-AWD,” is available on all models and comes standard in the top trims. Unlike many of its rivals, the RDX does not offer a more fuel-efficient or more powerful engine option.

The RDX accelerates to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is about average for SUVs in this class. Response from the throttle is immediate and the turbo powertrain is more than adequate for most drivers. The engine and exhaust sound better than the typical four-cylinder, with a pleasing deeper tone and a sporty burble. The transmission does an excellent job of selecting the correct gear to deliver power when needed. The brake pedal has a reassuring firmness to it and is easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The RDX’s handling also inspires confidence, as body roll is well managed and Acura's advanced AWD system provides an abundance of traction. It corners with enough prowess for us to call it sporty, yet ride comfort doesn't suffer as a result. Road imperfections are smoothed over with ease and even mid-corner bumps are shrugged off with barely an acknowledgment. The RDX's broad range of performance, easy-to-drive nature, and comfortable ride should attract plenty of shoppers.

There's plenty of space in the front seats for taller adults and you get additional power adjustments for the side bolsters and thigh extension in the top trim levels. The cushioning is very generous and will keep you comfortable after many hours behind the wheel. The heated and ventilated seats are great at quickly getting you warmed or cooled in a hurry, too.

The rear seats can easily accommodate average-sized adults, while six-footers might be touching the headliner. There's more than enough legroom as well as space under the front seats for your feet. That physical sense of space is enhanced by the large panoramic sunroof that makes the cabin feel open and airy.

Behind the rear seats, you have up to 31.1 cubic-feet of cargo space. That's larger than its competition, but only by one or two cubic feet. A deep bin under the cargo floor also features a center drain plug. That can be very useful as a place to stash your wet beach gear or even as an impromptu tailgate cooler. Folding the rear seats expands capacity to 79.8 cubic feet and remote seatback levers in the cargo area makes that transformation easy.

For smaller personal items, front passengers have plenty of options. There are two small cupholders and a narrow tray in a covered center console bin, a moderately sized bin under the armrest, and a large rubberized tray underneath the center console with a rubberized wireless charging pad. The door pockets are on the small side, but everything else combined should prove more than adequate.

That doesn't mean there's no room for improvement, though. The center stack with its gear selector buttons and drive mode dial take up a needless amount of space. It seems to run counter to parent company Honda, which tends to capitalize on all available space.

We remain baffled at Acura's decision to use a touchpad infotainment controller, as Lexus' attempt at this was an unmitigated disaster years ago. To Acura's credit, their controller is significantly better than Lexus', but that's a very low bar. On the native Acura screens, you have to move your finger across the touchpad and carefully hover over your desired button, then tap the pad. That isn't easy when you're parked because if you move your finger too far, it will swipe to the next screen. It's exponentially more difficult when you're driving. The dashtop display is not a touchscreen, but it's just out of reach, anyway.

The experience improves greatly if you use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto since you can swipe your finger across the touchpad to move to adjacent on-screen buttons. That means you don't have to be as precise with your movements and you can operate the system with quick glances rather than having to take your eyes off the road for several seconds. With some time and commitment, the system gets easier to use, but it remains one of the worst infotainment interfaces from any carmaker. That's too bad because the infotainment system itself benefits from sharp graphics, quick responses, and logically arranged menus.

As is the case with other SUVs in this class, the RDX comes standard with a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote monitoring and control via the Acuralink smartphone app. There are also options for premium audio and our top A-Spec Advanced trim vehicle came with a 16-speaker ELS system with potent bass and clear high notes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2023 Acura RDX five-out-of-five stars for overall and side crash protection, as well as four stars for frontal and rollover protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the RDX it's highest score of "good" across the board for crashworthiness and named it a Top Safety Pick+, its highest honor.

Standard advanced safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. The Technology package adds front and rear parking proximity sensors while the Advance package includes a surround-view camera system and a head-up display.

All of these systems worked as advertised with only a few frontal collision warnings when we were driving aggressively. The adaptive cruise control deserves praise for its smooth brake and throttle inputs, but the lane-keep assist tends to tug against your hands in gentle curves, making it better suited to long stretches of straight highway.

The 2023 Acura RDX has a starting MSRP of $42,745 (including $1,195 in destination fees) for the base front-drive trim. Our top A-Spec Advance trim test vehicle starts at $54,745. New for the 2023 model year, Acura sweetens the deal with two years of free scheduled maintenance and three years of included data for the Wi-Fi hotspot and remote monitoring. Since there are no alternative engine choices, there is no real fuel economy advantage between models. The EPA estimates that the AWD RDX will return 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg in combined driving. FWD models improve by one mpg across the board. These figures are about average for the class.

In the RDX lineup, we think adding the Technology package is the way to go. For a rather reasonable price increase, you get features such as leather upholstery, a wireless charging pad, parking sensors, and an upgraded audio system. For more generous budgets, the Advance package adds plenty of items to deliver a more complete luxury experience, with adaptive suspension dampers, additional front seat adjustments, premium audio, and a surround-view camera system.

Those prices are comparable to the Genesis GV70, but it's worth noting that the GV70 includes a few more standard features along with a very generous 10-year warranty. Both the RDX and GV70 are relative bargains when compared to the BMW X3, which costs several thousand more. We expect the Mercedes-Benz GLC—redesigned for the 2023 model year—to be priced similarly, if not a bit more, than the BMW.

Among the Acura, BMW, and Genesis, there's really not a bad choice. All these compact SUVs deliver strong performance, but the six-cylinder engines in the top BMW and Genesis trims are noticeably more powerful than the RDX's four-cylinder. While we consider the RDX's infotainment interface its largest drawback, we don't think it'll be a dealbreaker for most shoppers. We suggest a very thorough test drive with all of these luxury crossovers to see which one appeals to you the most. In all likelihood, it'll be close enough to come down to personal preference and style.