The 2022 Acura RDX is an excellent upscale SUV option for the current model year. Although it isn’t the best luxury compact SUV available, it remains a competitive choice for buyers. There are pros and cons to owning a 2022 Acura RDX.

Pros of owning a 2022 Acura RDX: Powertrain is smooth and refined

According to Cars.com, a pro of owning the 2022 Acura RDX is a smooth and refined powertrain. Moreover, the luxury compact SUV only comes with one engine choice. Thankfully, it’s an excellent one, using a 272-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Additionally, the RDX has a Sport mode, which enhances its responsiveness. Driving a quick, smooth-riding, responsive little SUV like the RDX is a pleasure.

Pros of owning an RDX: Adaptive suspension

Next, a pro of owning a 2022 Acura RDX luxury compact SUV is its adaptive suspension. However, it’s only available for a few top trim levels. That means those who pay for the base or another lower-tier model will not have one. Furthermore, the adaptive suspension features Comfort mode for a softer ride and Sport mode for a firmer, sportier experience.

Pros of owning an RDX: Interior

Thirdly, a pro of owning a 2022 RDX is the interior. Inside the RDX, you’ll find a well-rounded, upscale interior. Items like heated imitation-leather front seats, a thick-rimmed steering wheel, and soft, smooth surfaces help the RDX scream luxury. In addition, even the rear seats contain enough space for average-sized adults to fit comfortably. Finally, cargo room is excellent for its class since compact SUVs tend to lack space behind and in the rear seat.

Pros of owning an RDX: Price

Fourthly, a pro of owning a 2022 RDX is the price. For a luxury compact SUV, it’s surprisingly affordable. Enough so that it competes with some compact SUVs that aren’t considered luxury models. Moreover, it starts at just $40,000 with destination fees and comes with a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, and other excellent features. Fully loaded, the RDX starts at around $55,000, which is still more affordable than most range-topping rivals.

Pros of owning an RDX: Safety

Lastly, a pro of owning a 2022 RDX is safety. According to the IIHS, it earned the Top Safety Pickup Plus award for 2021 and has gotten safer for 2022. For example, side doors provide extra protection, and more driver-assist features are standard. Every RDX comes with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot warning, and lane-centering.

Cons of owning a 2022 RDX: The console-mounted touchpad

The first con of owning an RDX is the console-mounted touchpad. It’s a touchpad controller sitting on the center console, used to operate the infotainment system. Unfortunately, this is something that’s become quite outdated and removed from many other vehicles. However, it remains inside this Acura luxury compact SUV. Simple tasks like changing the music can be annoying without a regular touchscreen.

Cons of owning an RDX: Infotainment user interface

Secondly, a con of owning a 2022 Acura RDX is the infotainment user interface. The system is difficult to control using the console-mounted touchpad, but it’s also confusing all around. Moreover, the 10.2-inch display wastes one-third of its space on the submenus. Additionally, it’s only 3.6-inches high. As a result, using things like the backup camera or navigation only utilizes about 7-inches of the screen. We’d expect, like most vehicles, that these features would use the entire thing.

Cons of owning an RDX: Shifter

Lastly, a con of owning an RDX is the shifter. Cars.com refers to the luxury compact SUV gear-changer as “wonky.” It uses push-button technology that doesn’t save much space. Many automakers tried switching to a system like this in the past. Since then, many have phased it out already. Acura should do the same because it’s just not as good as a conventional version.

Pros and Cons of owning a 2022 Acura RDX

In conclusion, there are pros and cons of owning a 2022 Acura RDX. Advantages include a smooth powertrain, upscale interior, affordable price, and safety. However, disadvantages like the console-mounted touchpad, poor infotainment UI, and the strange shifter will have you second-guessing this purchase. Furthermore, the negatives of the luxury compact SUV aren’t a huge deal, so many owners could get used to them.