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2011 Acura RDX

Rating8.2

Ranked #1 in Compact Suv

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Starting MSRP 

$34,895 - $37,995

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Key Spec of 2011 Acura RDX
fuel economy

19/21/24

fuel type

premium unleaded

horsepower

240 hp @ 6000 rpm

basic warranty

4 yr./ 50000 mi.

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2011 Acura RDX Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

Updated on: December 28, 2021

Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor

With an awkward exterior styling but immaculate interior and handling, the Acura RDX enters the small luxury SUV segment. It feels underpowered as compared to most of its competitors but it delivers practicality making it a desirable package. For the year 2011, the Acura RDX is a carry-forward design with nothing significantly new about it. It is available in only one trim which is Base.

2011 Acura RDX Latest Updates

  • May' 5, 2022 : Top 10 Fastest Acura Cars Of All Time Read More »
  • Nov' 15, 2021 : Acura Announces 2022 RDX Prices, New Features & Changes Read More »
See detailed review
ProsConsWhat's New

Exceptional handling

Awkward exterior styling

Remains unchanged for 2011 

Affordable than its competitors 

Lack of trim levels

Well-organized interior

Stiff ride

Good engine performance

Over All Rating

8.2

Out of 10

Pricing and Features9.00
Pricing and Feature9.00
Features8.50
Engine and Performance8.10
Fuel Economy6.00
Interior8.20
Exterior8.00
Safety7.60
Competition8.00
Notable Rankings

#1 in Compact Suv

#3 in Suv

Pictures & Videos

Exterior [6]Interior [5]
2011 Acura RDX exterior
2011 Acura RDX exterior
2011 Acura RDX exterior
2011 Acura RDX exterior
2011 Acura RDX exterior
2011 Acura RDX exterior

Trims

Base$34,895 onwards

  • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
  • 1St row LCD monitor
  • ABS and driveline Traction control
  • Driver Lumbar support
  • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
  • Front Fog/driving lights
  • Heated mirrors
  • Leather Seat trim
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof
Build Car

Technology Package$35,995 onwards

  • Gps-Linked climate control
  • Larger infotainment display screen
  • Navigation system
  • Premium 10 speakers audio system
  • Real-time traffic & Weather forecasting
  • Rearview camera
Build Car

Colors and Styles

2011 Acura RDX in Basque Red Pearl color
Basque Red Pearl

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

An additional package called the Technology package is available which adds some attractive features. Both these models are available in the reliable SH-AWD drivetrain as well. All RDX models are powered by a turbocharged 2.3 L Inline-4 mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Prices start at $32,895 while the top-end model costs more than $37,995. The Acura RDX competes with the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Volvo XC60.

Features
8.5/10

The 2011 Acura RDX is available in only one trim, which is the Base. It carries a price tag of $32,895 and it comes with a great set of features. Acura offers the Technology Package with the RDX that will increase the starting price to $35,995. It unlocks features like solar-sensing automatic climate control, a navigation system, voice controls, 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system, a rearview camera, a larger screen for the infotainment system, real-time traffic and weather notifications, etc. 

Trim

Base

Technology Package

MSRP (FWD)

$32,895

$35,995

MSRP (AWD)

$34,895

$37,995

Key Features

18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels

Acura/ELS Surround 410-watt Premium Audio System with 10 speakers
 

Sports seats with a perforated leather-trimmed interior

AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather
 

7-speaker audio system

XM Radio with Note function music reminder
 

Driver’s 10-way power seat (8-way power seat with 2-way power lumbar support)

Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition
 

Dual-zone automatic climate control system with air filtration

Automated Appointments
 

Acura 360-watt Premium Sound System with AM/FM tuner, 6-disc in-dash CD, MP3, WMA changer, and 7 speakers

Real-time traffic and weather

We Recommend

The Acura RDX doesn’t have a whole lot of options to choose from. A notable point about the RDX is that it's cheaper than its rivals. Hence, our recommendation is to choose the fully-loaded Technology package with the AWD drivetrain which will cost you just under $38,000. The Tech Package adds some significant extra features over the base trim.

Engine and Performance
8.1/10

The standard engine fitted in the 2011 Acura RDX is a 2.3L Turbocharged Inline-4 which produces 240 hp @ 6000 RPM and has a peak torque of 260 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM. This engine is coupled to a 5-speed automatic gearbox and the standard drivetrain is an FWD. However, you have the option to equip AWD. The engine is decently powerful and it doesn’t disappoint when it reaches high speeds. The problem occurs when you get from low speeds to high speeds. The Turbocharger lags when the SUV is pushed through vigorous acceleration. 

Unlike its competitors that offer either a 6-speed automatic or 8-speed automatic transmission, the RDX offers a 5-speed automatic in order to bring out the best engine output. Furthermore, the standard FWD drivetrain is satisfactory at best. The SH-AWD offered by Acura is when it feels alive around cities, highways, and tight corners. With the latter, the handling improves by a significant margin. The steering is light-weighted which makes it easy to maneuver. However, the ride is stiffer than expected. The bumps are felt even during city rides. 

Model

2011 Acura RDX

2011 Audi Q5

2011 BMW X3

2011 Volvo XC60

MSRP

$32,895

$35,200

$36,750

$32,900

Engine

2.3L Turbocharged Inline-4

2.0L Inline-4 

3.0L Inline-6 

3.2L Inline-6

Drivetrain

FWD

AWD

AWD

FWD

Transmission

5-speed automatic

8-speed shiftable automatic

8-speed shiftable automatic

6-speed automatic

Power

240 hp @ 6000 RPM

211 hp @ 4300 rpm

240 hp @ 6600 rpm

240 hp @ 6400 RPM

Torque

260 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM

258 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm

221 ft-lbs. @ 2750 rpm

236 lb-ft @ 3200 RPM

0-60 MPH (seconds)

7.0

7.0

5.8

7.6

Quarter mile (seconds)

15.4

16.0

14.2

16.0

Top speed (mph)

135

130

130

130

The 2011 Audi Q5 has the smallest sized engine in the segment. When compared to other cars in the segment, it is well underpowered as well but it manages to deliver a good fuel economy. The turbocharger in the RDX helps it attain a class-leading torque while the RDX, X3, and XC60 have the same power figures. The BMW X3 is undoubtedly the most engaging one to drive while also being the fastest and most expensive. 

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The 2011 Acura RDX comes with a standard fuel economy compared to the average in the segment. But, opting for the SH-AWD will reduce the mileage to 17/22/19 MPG (city/highway/combined), which is the least in the segment. In the FWD configuration, the fuel economy is satisfactory but when the SH-AWD is equipped it lags behind the rivals. The SUV which delivers the best fuel economy is the 2011 Audi Q5 which provides a combined fuel economy of 22 MPG.

Model

2011 Acura RDX

2011 Audi Q5

2011 BMW X3

2011 Volvo XC60

MPG (City)

19

20

19

18

MPG (Highway)

24

27

25

25

MPG (Combined)

21

22

21

21

Fuel Capacity (Gallons)

18.0

19.8

17.7

18.5

Range (City/Highway/Combine, in Miles)

342/432/378

396/535/435

336/443/371

318/442/371

The 2011 Audi Q5 not only has a class-leading fuel economy but also a class-leading fuel tank capacity. With a capacity of 19.8 gallons, it attains a range far better than its competitors. It is clear enough to say that the Q5 is the clear winner when it comes to fuel efficiency. The more powerful BMW X3 is also a superb option considering that it comes in an AWD configuration and still delivers impressive efficiency. 

Interior
8.2/10

The interior of the 2011 Acura RDX is filled with modern amenities and a well-organized setup. The use of hard plastic is more than what is seen in its rivals, but it is elegant nonetheless. The seating position and driving position is one of the best in the business with plenty of exterior visibility. The dashboard and center console have a sleek and contemporary design with plenty of hidden storage compartments. The dual-zone automatic climate control provides a calm and relaxing environment inside.

There’s ample headroom, shoulder room, and legroom in both the front as well as the rear row of seats. The leather upholstery enhances the seating comfort of the seats. The driver’s seat is 8-way power-adjustable while the passenger’s seat is 4-way power-adjustable. Both these seats have heated functionality. The cabin experience is not exactly quiet. At times, there is a fair amount of road noise.

Model

2011 Acura RDX

2011 Audi Q5

2011 BMW X3

2011 Volvo XC60

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

8

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.7/58.2/41.8

39.4/57.7/41.0

40.7/57.3/39.9

39.0/56.7/41.2

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.3/56.3/37.6

39.0/56.4/37.4

39.1/56.0/36.8

39.5/55.2/36.4

Cargo Capacity (cubic feet)

27.8

29.1

27.6

30.8

Overall, the RDX provides the best interior dimensions. However, it does not do so well in terms of cargo space, but it still provides plenty of cargo area. The figures mentioned above are for the space behind the second row of seats. Out of the 4 SUVs, the 2011 Volvo XC60 provides over 30 cubic feet of cargo space. Some of the highlight features inside the Acura RDX are the following-

  • Sports seats with a perforated leather-trimmed interior
  • Dual-zone automatic climate control system with air filtration
  • Driver’s 10-way power seat (8-way power seat with 2-way power lumbar support)
  • Front passenger’s 4-way power seat
  • Heated front seats
  • 60/40 split flat-folding second-row seat
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel

How intuitive is the 2011 Acura RDX’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system fitted in the Acura RDX provides an array of features. The Base is fitted with a LED screen while the Technology package gets a bigger touchscreen display. The display is fitted deep in the dashboard. Some controls might be too small to read which could be problematic for the driver to use them while driving. 

A premium 7-speaker audio system comes standard in the Base trim. The Technology package upgrades this sound system to a 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound system. The Technology package also adds a navigation system with voice controls and real-time traffic and weather notifications. Some of the standard features offered by this infotainment system are:

  • Navigation (Technology package)
  • Voice controls (Technology package)
  • iPod/USB interface
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Satellite Radio
  • 7-speaker audio system
  • AMFM Stereo
  • CD player
Exterior
8.0/10

The exterior styling of the 2011 Acura RDX is something that you don’t see every day. Its out-of-the-box design is somewhat awkward and will take getting used to. The front fascia especially has been called “the angry chicken”. This is because of its uniquely shaped grille and automatic xenon headlights. The front bumper has a simpler design with basic fog light housing. The hood is sculpted in such a way that it amplifies the styling effect of the grille. 

The side profile is characterized by some curvy body lines and a slightly sloping roofline which give the RDX a boost in personality. Other features that are seen are 18-inch wheels, body-colored heated power-adjustable mirrors which have integrated LED directional signals, a power moonroof, and a comparatively low ground clearance of 6.3 inches. The rear end continues its unique styling thanks to its large taillights. Other features that are in the rear end are rear privacy glass, body-colored tailgate spoiler, and dual exhaust outlets.

Model

2011 Acura RDX

2011 Audi Q5

2011 BMW X3

2011 Volvo XC60

Curb Weight (lbs)

3,743

4,090

4,112

3,958

Length (in.)

180.7

182.2

183.0

182.2

Width (in.)

73.6

74.0

74.1

74.4

Height (in.)

65.1

65.1

65.4

67.4

Ground Clearance (in.)

6.3

7.9

8.3

9.1

Wheelbase (in.)

104.3

110.5

110.5

109.2

The RDX is the lightest among the four SUVs mentioned above by a significant margin. Apart from that, it also has the lowest ground clearance in the segment which is only 6.3 inches. The SUV with the tallest stance is the 2011 Volvo XC60 with a ground clearance of 9.1 inches. Some of the key exterior features of the Acura RDX are-

  • 18-inch alloy wheels
  • Automatic xenon headlights
  • Body-colored heated power-adjustable side view mirrors
  • Power moonroof
  • Body-colored tailgate spoiler
  • Fog lights
Safety
7.6/10

Unfortunately, neither the NHSTA nor the IIHS has crash-tested the 2011 RDX. Hence it is not decisive that the RDX is an extremely safe car but with the amount of safety and driver-assist features standard on it, it should be among the safer small crossover SUVs on the market. The list of safety tech that is incorporated into the RDX inspires confidence. Some of the safety features on offer are:

  • Blindspot alert system
  • Lane departure warning system
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • Rearview camera
  • Cruise control
  • Stability control
  • Traction control
  • Daytime running lights
Final Verdict

To start off, the 2011 Acura RDX is clearly not a looker. Its rivals offer much more stylish and modern exterior personas. It doesn’t match up with the fuel economy of its rivals as well. Its turbocharged engine lags a bit in acceleration and the ride is stiffer than most of its rivals. Despite these negatives, the Acura RDX is a good package. The Technology package offers some exciting features at a price much cheaper than its competition. The SUV is definitely worth the price which makes it a practical purchase.

Features

vehicle bio
base price

$37995

body style

4dr SUV

engine type
displacement

140 cu in

horse power

240 hp @ 6000 rpm

torque

260 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

transmission

5 speed Automatic

dimensions
length

183 in

wheelbase

104 in

width

74 in

curb weight

3942 lbs

Height

65 in

Ground Clearance

6 lbs

capacity
passenger volume

101.4 cu ft

cargo volume

60.6 cu ft

passenger capacity

5 Seats

fuel economy
city/combined/highway

19/19/22 mpg

highway range

396.0 mi

warranty
basic warranty

4 yr./ 50000 mi.

See All Features & Specs

2011 Acura RDX User Reviews

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H

Harris

2012 Acura RDX

Technology Package 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)

5

User Overall Rating

Posted On: March 3, 2022

Horrible '12 RDX.

Pros - Good for nothing,

Cons - Rattles and creaks, Bad electronics, Overactive turbo.

Do not buy!!! Horrible car, paid 16 grand for this 2012 Acura RDX with tech package and I can't help but feel how big a mistake I made. It's features are awful, most of them don't work or take ages to respond. I had the dealership do something to fix it but they clearly told me it's impossible. Why couldn't they tell so beforehand? Also it's turbo acts violently, if you engage with it, be ready t...

6/10
Features
5/10
Interior
4/10
Design
6/10
Safety
4/10
Reliability
4/10
Deal Value
4/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
A

Anna

2016 Acura RDX

SH-AWD w/Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

4

User Overall Rating

Posted On: May 19, 2022

Poor quality audio system.

Pros - Plush cabin, Trunk space.

Cons - AWD, Audio system, Dual infotainment screen.

Crappy all wheel drive system. Although the Acura RDX is an ideal vehicle for comfort and luxury, it has a lot of flaws. The AWD system is really shitty, The FWD stopped working for some reason. The Dual infotainment screen is confusing to use. The screen on the top feels laggy when compared to the one below. The audio system, on the other hand, is not very clear at higher volumes. I am not...

4/10
Features
8/10
Interior
6/10
Design
4/10
Safety
4/10
Reliability
5/10
Deal Value
4/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
DS

Dean Smith

2016 Acura RDX

SH-AWD w/Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (3.5L 6cyl 6A)

7

User Overall Rating

Posted On: May 7, 2022

Lavish RDX

Pros - Quiet cabin, awesome acceleration, safety features.

Cons - No faults.

Highly recommended. This automobile appealed to me since it is quiet, has fantastic acceleration, is pleasant to drive, has a high safety rating, and has cutting-edge safety systems. But its reputation for dependability was something that made me buy this vehicle. The best part about it is its sound systems, I thoroughly enjoyed it while going for big vacation driving journeys. Plus, it's smaller...

6/10
Features
8/10
Interior
8/10
Design
7/10
Safety
8/10
Reliability
7/10
Deal Value
8/10
Dealer Review
Read more »
Add A Review

Top User Reviews

5/10

User

Rating

Horrible '12 RDX.

Do not buy!!! Horrible car, paid 16 grand for this 2012 Acu...

by Harris

4/10

User

Rating

Poor quality audio system.

Crappy all wheel drive system. Although the Acura RDX is an...

by Anna

7/10

User

Rating

Lavish RDX

Highly recommended. This automobile appealed to me since it...

by Dean Smith

6/10

User

Rating

Zero fun factor

Snug fit of components What I like about the RDX is the way...

by Josh Muenze

8/10

User

Rating

A really poor speakers

Limited space The RDX is great for most of the parts except...

by Griffin Wallace

Acura RDX 5 year Cost To Own

Cash Price(MSRP)
$40,799
5 Year Cost To Own
$56,939
Total 5 year Cost To Own -  $56,939
Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5total
Depreciation$5,330$4,031$3,285$3,696$3,231$19,573
Insurance$1,172$1,177$1,210$1,322$1,284$6,165
Fuel$2,128$2,276$2,334$2,393$2,454$11,585
Maintenance$265$1,140$507$2,502$2,077$6,491
Repairs$-19$-43$-39$472$770$1,141
Financing Interest$2,547$2,004$1,559$995$390$7,495
Taxes and Fees$3,421$295$299$273$201$4,489
Total Cost-To-Own$14,844$10,880$9,155$11,653$10,407$56,939
Read more about Cost-To-Own »

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