The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Sharp styling
- Welcoming cabin
- Gutsy turbo-4 engine
- Tech-forward AWD
- Sporty handling and ride
Dislikes
- Doesn’t have the same cachet as rivals
- Back seats need more support
- Middling fuel economy
- Touchpad-based infotainment system
Buying tip
features & specs
For 2023, the Acura RDX offers tons of cabin space and engaging turbo power that will satisfy sport-sedan owners and wagon fans equally.
What kind of car is the 2023 Acura RDX? What does it compare to?
The Acura is a luxury crossover with seating for five passengers, edgy styling, and a powerful turbo-4 engine. Rivals include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and the Mercedes GLC-Class.
Is the 2023 Acura RDX a good car?
We like the Acura’s spacious cabin, performance, and safety credentials, though its awkward infotainment system is a low point. Available in base, Technology, mid-tier A-Spec, and top-tier Advance configurations, the 2023 RDX earns a TCC Rating of 6.3 points out of a possible 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2023 Acura RDX?
For 2023, every RDX now includes two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance and three years of AcuraLink telematics services.
Last year brought a restyled front end, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, active noise cancellation, available wireless device charging, and retuned drive modes for better comfort and response.
The RDX comes powered by a turbo-4 good for 272 hp paired with a 10-speed auto transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, though Acura offers a clever all-wheel-drive setup that can dynamically manage power across the rear wheels. Steering feedback is strong, handling is quite crisp, and the ride is firm yet comfortable, especially on configurations with the adaptive damping suspension.
The RDX accommodates five, and front passengers get supportive bolsters in A-Spec trim, as well as genuine leather surfaces. The base seats could use more support, but leg and head space are generous despite the raked roofline. Cargo space is competitive, too, with roughly 59 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
Good crash test results and plenty of active safety features round out this crossover, though we wish Acura would make blind-spot monitors standard and expand availability of the surround-view upgraded camera system.
How much does the 2023 Acura RDX cost?
Prices start at $42,545 for the base trim RDX, which features leather upholstery, a 10.2-inch infotainment display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 19-inch wheels. We’d add the optional all-wheel drive system and the Technology Package, for about $47,395.
Where is the 2023 Acura RDX made?
In Ohio.
2023 Acura RDX Styling
With the RDX, Acura hides the fat and shows off its styling muscle.
Is the Acura RDX a good-looking car?
The 2023 RDX has fine-tuned details, pulling together a decade or so of Acura’s styling cues into a coherent look. It’s expressive and well-chiseled, and earns a point for both the outside and cabin, good for 7 on the TCC scale.
The RDX grille wears the Acura badge like a belt’s buckle, and is highlighted by slender LED headlights that draw the eye toward muscular fenders that house elegant 19- or 20-inch wheel designs. The roofline draws attention from there toward the rear pillars, outfitted in metallic and black trim, which is an effective design trick to distract from the crossover’s bulk.
The cabin wears beige and gray upholstery and materials, though aluminum or wood elements add a touch of luxury, and synthetic or genuine leather dresses the seats. A-Spec models divert from the opulent theme with black upholstery and red accents. The 10.2-inch dash-mounted display pairs with a touchpad and a cluttered collection of buttons and controls; it’s a balky interface we’d gladly swap for a touchscreen.
2023 Acura RDX Performance
The RDX rises above the crossover fray with gutsy turbo power and polite road manners.
Unlike some crossovers, the Acura RDX doesn’t suggest any intention of wandering off pavement, which is fine; it shines on the road with brisk acceleration, deft steering, and reliable grip. It earns a 7, with points for engine power and for ride and handling.
Is the Acura RDX 4WD?
All-wheel drive is available across the lineup. Though the RDX sits high and wide, it wouldn’t be our choice for all-terrain driving.
How fast is the Acura RDX?
It’s eager to launch, propelled by a 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine with 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s the same engine that propels Honda’s feisty Civic Type R, though here it’s more refined, flipping efficiently through the 10-speed automatic to reach highway speed with calm determination.
Switching through Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ drive modes improves shift speed and throttle response.
This smooth power delivery translates to excellent street manners, particularly on 19-inch wheels. When the A-Spec’s stylish 20-inch alloys are selected, the RDX tends to translate more turbulence to the cabin, but Advance models feature adaptive dampers that remedy this fault.
All-wheel-drive models feature a torque-split system that delivers up to 70 percent of engine power to the rear, and then splits it again to each rear corner, a neat trick to spice up handling.
2023 Acura RDX Comfort & Quality
The RDX has the space, but needs plusher padding.
The Acura RDX earns a 7 in terms of its comfort and its utility. The interior layout is thoughtful and well-built, but the seating should be more comfortable.
With a 108.3-inch wheelbase, there is room for five passengers and plenty of gear. Up front is the place to be, with power-adjustable seats fitted in synthetic or genuine leather, plus heating and cooling on upper trim levels. The bolsters in most models could use more support.
The rear row can squeeze three passengers across, although two will definitely be more comfortable without a middle passenger. The seats could be fitted with a better angle, though head room is adequate and there’s roughly 38 inches for leg room.
Acura carves out 29.5 cubic feet of space in the cargo hold; tuck the rear seats away and that expands out to 58.9 cubic feet. There’s another couple cubic feet of cubby space tucked beneath the cargo hold floor.
Cabin comfort is enhanced by standard active noise cancellation, and Advance models also get acoustic glass for more insulation. The dash is crowded with controls, but Advance models get wood trim to help warm up the look.
2023 Acura RDX Safety
The RDX earns top safety ratings, with an asterisk.
How safe is the Acura RDX?
The IIHS awards the RDX a Top Safety Pick+ rating across the board. The NHTSA gives a five-star overall score, though all front-impact crash tests yielded four-star ratings. It’s safe enough to earn an 8 on our scale.
The RDX’s swoopy rear roofline impedes rearward vision, so we recommend adding blind-spot monitors, which are optional in base form. The optional surround-view camera system is exclusive to the Advance trim. Automatic emergency braking comes standard across the lineup.
2023 Acura RDX Features
Base RDX crossovers have most of what we need.
The RDX earns a 7 for features, thanks to generous standard equipment and lots of options, plus free scheduled maintenance on 2023 models. Its clumsy infotainment system keeps us from awarding a higher score, though.
Which Acura RDX should I buy?
The base RDX, at $42,545, is a solid choice with leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, 10.2-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 19-inch wheels; an additional $2,200 adds all-wheel drive. We suggest adding the Technology Package for $2,650, which brings blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, upgraded audio, and navigation.
How much is a fully loaded Acura RDX?
The AWD A-Spec Advance Package, at $54,545, piles on the luxury features in terms of both amenities and performance, from cooled front seats to adaptive dampers.
The RDX’s major drawback is its Android-based, menu-heavy infotainment system with an awkward touchpad interface. With sluggish communication between your fingertip on the pad and the resulting input on the display, the system is distracting to use.
Acura covers every RDX with a warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles, and now includes two years of free maintenance.
2023 Acura RDX Fuel Economy
Even with turbo power, the RDX has decent fuel economy.
Is the Acura RDX good on gas?
Gas mileage is okay, though the RDX lacks electrification. It earns a 2 based on EPA ratings of 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined for front-drive models, though the A-Spec trim has a slightly lower highway rating. With AWD, ratings drop to 21/27/23 mpg, and there’s a similar drop for A-Spec models.
