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2020 Acura RDX

For A Luxury SUV, The Acura RDX Is Pretty Standard

The Acura RDX is a luxurious midsize SUV designed to compete with the Lexus NX, Audi Q5, and BMW X3. Part of its attraction includes having a lower price than its competitors, but is the Acura RDX worth it?  How Capable Is The Acura RDX?  You can get started in the Acura RDX  for around …

The Acura RDX is a luxurious midsize SUV designed to compete with the Lexus NX, Audi Q5, and BMW X3. Part of its attraction includes having a lower price than its competitors, but is the Acura RDX worth it? 

How Capable Is The Acura RDX? 

You can get started in the Acura RDX  for around $38k, making it one of the rare midsize SUV options that are currently available for under $40k. 

2020 Acura RDX
2020 Acura RDX

Also, the Acura RDX can seat up to five passengers and has a fair fuel economy. It gets up to 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, which is better than other SUV options. 

Acura RDX Performance 

Under the hood of the Acura RDX, you will find a 16-valve 2.0-liter four-cylinder option. We were shocked to discover that there isn’t a V6 option available. 

However, this 16-valve engine is still powerful. It provides 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. But the Acura RDX can only tow up to 1,500 lb, so you will need a more powerful option if you have anything more substantial to haul. 

Also, the engine provides the Acura with a good amount of pep. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 in only 6.4 seconds. 

A 2020 Acura RDX on display at the Acura Festival Village at Sundance Film Festival
The Acura RDX | Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Acura

The Acura RDX is available with all-wheel-drive so that it can handle snow and other slippery conditions. 

For off-roading, the Acura RDX has a ground clearance of about 8” and hill start assistance for clearing obstacles. 

The MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension will provide a smooth ride. Also, the amplitude reactive dampening system helps to absorb impacts for a peaceful interior. 

2020 Acura RDX
2020 Acura RDX A-Spec

Enjoy the 19” wheels for better cornering and agile handling assistance for a sporty ride on curvy country roads. 

Acura RDX Features 

The luxurious interior of the Acura RDX incorporates natural olive ash burl wood. Plus, the seats are heated and ventilated with Milano leather for refined comfort. Enjoy the leather-wrapped steering wheel and electronic gear shifter. 

The Acura RDX also has up to 29.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 79.8 cubic feet of cargo space total. 

Acura RDX Interior
Acura RDX

In terms of tech, the Acura RDX is average. The infotainment center can connect to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and has a Wi-fi hotspot. 

There is a touchpad for seamless control of your apps while driving. The most innovative feature is Amazon key delivery.

Once your packages arrive, they can be safely locked in your car. However, the Acura RDX can’t connect to Alexa or your smartwatch like other SUVs can. 

The Acura RDX also includes standard safety features like adaptive cruise control, automatic collision prevention, and lane departure warning. 

Acura RDX Interior
Acura RDX Interior

But the Acura lacks standard safety features as well. It doesn’t have any self-parking features, assistance, or rear cross-traffic alerts. Also, it doesn’t track your eyes to detect distracted or drowsy driving. 

However, these features may not be standard on rivals either and can be added on higher trim levels. Also, you get the innovative AcuraWatch system with adaptive cruise control and more to enhance your driving experience.

The Acura RDX may provide a smooth, peaceful ride and a peppy acceleration, but it’s weak compared to the competition. Its lackluster interior and lack of tech put it behind, plus it isn’t built for towing. You’ll have to spend more for a higher trim option or for a rival for these items.

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U.S. News Rates the 2020 Acura RDX as the Top Luxury Compact SUV