• 2022 Acura RDX ($40,100 – $53,300)
• “Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families for 2019” – U.S. News
• “Safest New Cars for 2019” – The Car Connection
• “Best Family Luxury Car 2020” – Parents Magazine
• Pro: The 2022 Acura RDX has a spacious cabin and sporty driving dynamics.
• Con: Don’t count on the RDX for your towing needs.

The original Acura RDX made its way into the market back in 2006. Back then, it set itself apart from the competition by offering buyers a potent turbocharged engine, sporty driving dynamics, and the brand’s Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive system. It’s been 16 years since that initial introduction and the RDX maintains its keen sense of individuality in the luxury compact SUV segment. It’s bigger and more sophisticated than ever before, but still presents a great value for those that aren’t looking to spend the extra cash on one of its German rivals.

For the 2022 model year, the Acura RDX received a slight facelift, a couple of new colors, and a few new tech features. But it still has the same charm and sportiness that made the original version stand out from the rest. If you’re comparison shopping for an RDX, then its competition includes the Genesis GV70 and the Lexus NX.

Which 2022 Acura RDX trim level is right for you?

The 2022 Acura RDX comes in six different trim levels:

• Base: $40,100
• RDX Technology: $42,750
• RDX A-Spec: $45,750
• RDX Advance: $47,950
• RDX A-Spec with Advance: $52,100
• RDX PMC: $53,300

The Base, Technology, and A-Spec trim levels come standard in a front-wheel-drive configuration, but the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD) can be added to each of them for an extra $2,200. Additionally, the PMC model returns for this year in Long Beach Blue Pearl. PMC stands for “Performance Manufacturing Center,” which is where the exclusive trim level is built. Just note, only 200 units of this version will be produced.

My tester for the week was a top-trim Acura RDX A-Spec with the Advance package in Apex Blue Pearl. This color is exclusive to the RDX A-Spec models.

How does the 2022 RDX look?

The 2022 RDX looks sophisticated and sporty with its revised front fascia. Acura spruced up the front of the car with a thinner chrome grille surround and new air intakes and then tweaked the rear of the car with new exhaust outlets. Otherwise, the RDX looks largely the same as the previous model year. Styling changes aside, the RDX is also available in two new colors: Phantom Violet Pearl and Liquid Carbon Metallic.

Is the Acura RDX comfortable?

Yes, the RDX’s interior is a very comfortable place to spend time whether you’re cruising on a long road trip or waiting patiently in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Kelley Blue Book notes that there are new noise-reduction features found around the cabin by way of acoustic glass and extra sound deadening. That extra padding is noticeable, especially at higher speeds where driving the RDX feels like a more serene experience than you would expect.

Otherwise, the rest of the cabin feels rich and luxurious thanks to the perforated Milano leather seats and soft-touch materials on the dash and door panels. A 7-inch digital display sits in the middle of an analog instrument panel in front of the driver while a 10.2-inch infotainment display sits in the center of the dashboard. All of the buttons are easy to read and use and I applaud Acura for incorporating the all-important volume knob. A tuning knob would have been nice though.

The infotainment system is controlled by a touchpad and the shifter is comprised of buttons as opposed to a normal gear selector. Also, don’t mistake the big silver knob in the middle for the volume (or radio tuning), it actually changes the car’s drive modes (Snow, Comfort, Normal, or Sport).

The 2022 Acura RDX is loaded with standard and available features

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The 2022 Acura RDX comes loaded with standard features in its base form. The most notable include LED head and taillights, a keyless entry and ignition, a panoramic moonroof, heated power front seats, simulated leather, and a power tailgate.

The large 10.2-inch infotainment display comes standard as does wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and natural voice recognition. The RDX also comes with one USB-A and C port for this year in addition to Wi-Fi.

If you’re looking for a little more out of your RDX, then you can opt for the Technology trim level that Acura refers to as a “package.” This package includes wireless phone charging, LED cabin lighting, front and rear parking sensors, leather seats, navigation, and a 12-speaker ELS premium audio system.

For an even more premium feel, the Advance trim offers an adaptive suspension, a 360-degree camera system, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, puddle lamps, remote start, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and a hands-free power tailgate.

The main draw on the PMC model is its exclusive color and limited production as it comes with everything listed above. So, if you don’t care for Long Beach Blue Pearl, then you’ll be fine with the lower trim levels.

How does the RDX handle?

My RDX Advance tester was equipped with the adaptive suspension, so the SUV felt comfortable and confident in every environment I drove it in. My usual test route includes some city driving, a highway stretch, and a little canyon carving, so I was able to test out all of the modes. Truth be told, there’s not a massive difference between all of the driving modes, but you can definitely feel the suspension soften or firm with the twist of the large silver knob.

Otherwise, the RDX’s steering has really good feedback and it exudes sporty responsiveness that you wouldn’t expect from a car in its class. Compared to other SUVs like the Genesis GV70, the RDX provides the driver with a more refined driving feel that can be sensed through the steering wheel and at all four corners. Essentially, you feel much more connected to what the car is doing when behind the wheel of the RDX.

The RDX is powered by a smooth, turbocharged engine

There is only one engine choice on every 2022 RDX trim level – a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. The engine produces 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque and is solely connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. According to Car and Driver’s testing, the RDX can sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds, which is 1.7 seconds slower than the Genesis GV70 and on par with the Lexus NX.

When driving the 2022 RDX, I noticed that the turbocharged engine’s power comes on in a smooth and linear fashion and it’s enough to push you back in your seat. Yes, the GV70 did feel faster, but unless you like getting into stoplight drag races, you probably won’t care.

As far as fuel economy goes, the EPA estimates that the RDX can get up to 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway in SH-AWD form. Opting for the front-drive model adds one mpg to both figures.

How safe is the 2022 Acura RDX?

The RDX is very safe as it comes standard with the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assist features. This includes features like adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and road departure mitigation. Basically, all of these features keep the car on the road and in between the lines in the case of emergencies or when the driver isn’t paying attention.

In case those safety features aren’t reassuring enough, then you can rest assured that the RDX is safe as it took home the coveted “Top Safety Pick +” award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the RDX a five-star overall safety rating for 2022.

Is the Acura RDX expensive to maintain?

Considering the Acura RDX is a luxury car, it’s not too expensive to maintain. According to Edmund’s True Cost to Own breakdown, it can cost owners an average of $5,838 to maintain the RDX for the first five years. As far as repairs, owners can expect to pay an average of $1,158 for the first five years of ownership.

Fortunately, the 2022 RDX also benefits from the brand’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, so owners won’t need to worry too much about repairs for the first few years.

The 2022 Acura RDX maintains its sporty uniqueness in a competitive category

If you’re in the market for a luxury crossover and want something that’s plush with a dash of sportiness, the 2022 Acura RDX is a great choice. The RDX provides a comfortable driving experience in any driving situation, but with the twist of its drive mode knob and a stab of its accelerator, the RDX knows how to turn up the fun. While rivals like the Genesis GV70 and Lexus NX have their own sense of uniqueness, the RDX emphasizes its differences embodies the Japanese automaker’s “Precision Crafted Performance” ethos.

MotorBiscuit gives the 2022 Acura RDX an expert rating of 9.0 out of 10

The editors of MotorBiscuit gave the 2022 Acura RDX an overall rating of 9.0 out of 10. There’s no denying that Acura has fine-tuned the RDX over the years and the 2022 model ups the ante exponentially. The RDX’s quiet cabin, punchy performance, and overall comfort make it sure to stand out in the luxury crossover crowd.