2017 Acura RDX

The 2017 RDX includes a long list of standard technology features- Carfax

The Acura RDX gets several optional packages for a more comprehensive list of standard features. These packages include Technology, AcuraWatch, and Advance packages. The RDX with these packages makes up the trim levels. The RDX starts at $35,670 and it ranges up to $43,820, excluding a destination fee of $975. Only a handful of compact luxury SUVs can come close to the RDX's lengthy roster of standard features. 

The RDX comes generously equipped with some niceties such as LED headlights and taillights, a 10-way power driver's seat, passive entry with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and many more. But if an extra few thousand dollars won't break the bank, Acura will be delighted to sell you an RDX with a 10-speaker sound system, ventilated front seats, leather sport seats, voice recognition, GPS-linked climate controls, etc. 

We Recommend 

We recommend buying the Acura RDX with the Technology and AcuraWatch Plus Packages. The latter mentioned package adds top driver-assist features that will give you confidence while driving. The Technology package adds a 10-speaker sound system, an additional in-dash display, leather sport seats, GPS-enhanced climate controls, navigation system, voice recognition blindspot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.  

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"Automotive journalists agree that the V6 is plenty powerful for spirited highway cruising, providing smooth acceleration and throttle response- Cars.USNews

2017 Acura RDX Engine and Transmission 

Under the hood, the Acura RDX is available with only one engine which is a 3.5L V6 producing 279 hp and 252 lb-ft. of torque. All models are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission while paddle shifters are also included for more hands-on engagement. Power is driven to the front wheels as standard while AWD drivetrain is available on every trim level.

While many vehicles in the RDX's class have switched to the turbo-4 cylinders, Acura decided to stick with the smooth and refined V6. Power from the V6 comes in quickly and pulls hard all the way to the redline. The AWD system is full-time and can transfer up to half the engine torque to the rear when necessary. That'll help traverse hazardous conditions.

Starting at less than the RDX, the Infiniti QX50 is the most powerful car in this segment and comes with an RWD drivetrain. It is followed by the RDX with 279 horses. Although the Volvo XC60 makes less power, its peak torque can be achieved at 1,500 RPM. With just 235 horsepower, the Lexus NX200t is the least powerful car here. 

2017 Acura RDX Acceleration

Speaking of acceleration, the Acura RDX can dash from 0-60 MPH in 6.2 seconds and further, strives to complete the quarter-mile test in 14 seconds. The powerful engine and its low curb weight play an important role in this field. The RDX can reach up to a top speed of 149 MPH. 

Due to the absence of turbochargers, there is no turbo lag and hence, the RDX provides a snappy acceleration. The 6-speed automatic manages the power well and easily gets you up to speed when you want to pass people on the highway. It also holds gears longer for more immediate acceleration. 

Owing to its powerful engine, the Infiniti QX50 beats the RDX in the acceleration test but the latter overtakes in the quarter-mile run. The Volvo XC60 manages to reach 60 MPH quicker than the Lexus NX200t despite weighing more but the latter increases its pace in the long run. 

2017 Acura RDX Handling and Steering

The handling of the Acura RDX is better than some mainstream compact crossovers where you can take big sweeping turns at a considerable speed. Steer it into a corner, the RDX is happy to play with minimal body roll. Therefore, it is confidence-inspiring and really fun to drive. On straight stretches of pavement, the ride is soft but not overly so.

The RDX's suspensions tend to absorb most of the road undulations which is further complemented by a quiet cabin. The variable-ratio power steering is very good, providing feel and feedback. The turning radius of the steering wheels is also less which is an added benefit while maneuvering tight spots. Overall, the RDX does not offer sporty handling but is perfect for around the town. 

2017 Acura RDX Braking

The light curb weight of the Acura RDX also helps when it comes to braking. A braking distance of 122 feet is recorded by the RDX while trying to stop from 60-0 MPH. The front wheels house 12.3 inches of ventilated disc brakes while the rear wheels get disc brakes of size 12 inches. These brakes are not the biggest in the segment but they do their job well. 

The brakes are a tad sensitive in nature. The moment you push that pedal down, the vehicle starts decelerating immediately with no log. Fade resistance is not quite good as some of the entries in the segment. The RDX's braking performance is further aided by some technologies such as automatic emergency braking and ABS that will help to reduce the braking distance. 

With just 116 feet of braking distance, the Lexus NX200t climbs at the top of the table. Both the Volvo XC60 and the Infiniti QX50 take 118 feet but the XC60 should be given much appreciation as it is the bulkiest vehicle in this competition. The RDX takes the longest braking distance and fails to keep up with its rivals.

2017 Acura RDX Towing Capacity

When it comes to towing capacity, the Acura RDX ranks at the last as it offers only 1,500 pounds. of towing capacity. The most logical reason for low tow ratings is that shoppers don't tow with compact crossovers. For those who want to buy a compact crossover with better tow ratings, this is not the SUV for you. 

Once again, the  Volvo XC60 shines as it is the only SUV that can tow up to 3,500 pounds and it is closely followed by the Infiniti QX50 with 3,000 pounds. The Lexus NX200t is saved at it offers slightly better towing capacity than the RDX while the RDX disappoints in this field as well. 

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In real-world driving the V-6 isn't as thirsty as you might think- The Car Connection

For an SUV that houses a V6 engine, the fuel ratings of the Acura RDX are really good. The EPA-estimated MPG figures are 20 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on a highway, and 23 MPG combined, while in FWD guise. These figures drop down by 1 MPG if you opt for the AWD system. For the power it makes, the RDX returns good mileage. 

The RDX gets a decently sized fuel tank of 16 gallons. When filled with premium fuel, the RDX drives up to 384 miles in combined form. Comparatively, it is less to many rivals in its segment. The RDX with an AWD system delivers 368 miles of driving range. Therefore, those long drives will require frequent visits to the fuel station.

Considering that the RDX makes more power than the Volvo XC60 and the Lexus NX200t, it is the most fuel-efficient SUV in this competition. The NX200t bags the second place while the large fuel tank and good efficiency of the XC60 help it to deliver a good driving range. The Infiniti QX50 is less efficient than the other three rivals. 

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The backseat offers more legroom than most competitors- Edmunds

2017 Acura RDX Seating and Comfort

The Acura RDX's interior is so nicely done with an abundance of soft, high-quality materials and a cohesive design. The seats are dressed in leatherette upholstery on the lower trims and perforated leather on the higher trims. The front-seat comfort is excellent thanks to the well-cushioned seats. Even the base trim comes standard with power-adjustable, heated front seats whereas ventilated front seats are only standard on the top-end trim. 

The steering wheel comes wrapped in leather and is manually adjustable. Just like the front seats, the rear seats are spacious and comfortable too. The rear row provides plenty of head and legroom for most adults while a completely flat floor affords true five-passenger flexibility. You also get a leather armrest that hides two cupholders. However, the RDX fails to offer heated rear seats while its competitors offer. 

Among its rivals, the Infiniti QX50 offers the least legroom in the rear row but it excels in front legroom. The Lexus NX200t and the Volvo XC60's front-row space are good but its the opposite at the back. Overall, the RDX is the best SUV here in terms of passenger space. 

2017 Acura RDX Infotainment System 

Where the Acura RDX trails the competition is in the area of infotainment. The AcuraLink is a pretty unique system. The bottom is a 7-inch touchscreen while the top is an 8-inch non-touchscreen. This setup comes with the Technology and Advance packages. The lower trims receive only the smaller 7-inch display. The top screen is controlled through the dash-mounted knob and is where the phone, navigation, and settings primarily reside.  

Unlike the MDX and TLX, the climate controls are separate from the touchscreen. Though it still makes use of Acura's dual-screen infotainment platform, the RDX incorporates a more simplified and therefore, less distracting interface. The standard Acura premium sound system has 7 speakers. However, the models with the Technology and Advance package employ a 10-speaker ELS studio sound system. 

2017 Acura RDX Interior Features

The 2017 Acura RDX comes equipped with the following interior features -

• Till & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel
• Power front seats with heated & ventilated functions
• Leatherette & leather upholstery
• Panoramic moonroof
• Remote engine start
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 7 & 8 infotainment display
• 7 & 10 speaker sound system
• Voice recognition for audio & climate controls

2017 Acura RDX Cargo Volume

The Acura RDX offers a dedicated cargo capacity of 26.1 cu-ft., which is better than most of its class rivals. When the rear seats aren't occupied, they can be folded to expose over 60 cu-ft. of cargo space. One of the main benefits of having an FWD entry in this segment is more cargo room than you'll find in the RWD entries. 

A power tailgate is a standard feature across all RDX models. Behind the rear seats, there are handles present to release the rear seats  Due to its high ground clearance, the loading lip is quite high. Therefore, it can be challenging while filling the cargo area with bulky and heavy items. Overall, the RDX is a highly practical vehicle. 

The RDX is a practical SUV but the Volvo XC60 exceeds the former by offering a maximum cargo space of 67.4 cu-ft. The Lexus NX200t stands in third place with 54.6 cu-ft. with seat area while the Infiniti QX50 is pushed to the last as it offers only 50.1 cu-ft. 

The 2017 Acura RDX SUV carries over its subtle tweaks that bring it in line with the more modern design language of the brand - Kelley Blue Book

2017 Acura RDX Dimensions and Weight

The Acura RDX underwent a refresh last year, so there are no major changes this year. Upfront, the RDX wears the Acura shield grille which features a trapezoidal shape with a large silver piece and a prominent Acura badge on the upper portion. One of the most noticeable design updates is the jewel-eye LED headlights and the LED light pipes that surround them. Fog lamps come with the Advance package only. 

The RDX sits 8.1 inches above the ground, which is high enough for venturing rough terrains. It has a short wheelbase compared to its rivals but that doesn't affect its rear interior room as engineers at Honda have designed the vehicle with proper proportions. All RDX's come with 18-inch aluminum wheels as standard. Around the back, the rear is nicely accented by a chrome strip while the LED taillights add a level of cohesion with the front. 

The Volvo XC60 boasts 1 extra inch of ground clearance than the RDX, which is good for off-roading purposes. At 113.4 inches, the Infiniti QX50's wheelbase is the widest in this competition and yet, its interior feels cramped. The Lexus NX200t is the shortest car here with an overall length of 182.3 inches. 

2017 Acura RDX Exterior Features

The RDX comes with a striking and unique exterior design that boasts the following features -

• LED headlights, taillights & DRLs
• Front fog lights
• Manual-folding auto-dimming exterior mirrors
• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Chrome grille
• Rear roofline spoiler
• Chrome window trim

The 2017 Acura RDX has a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and is considered a 2017 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS- MotorTrend

In the crash tests conducted by NHTSA, the 2017 Acura RDX secured a perfect 5-star overall safety rating. For the frontal crash prevention and side-impact crash test, it received 5 stars while 4 stars were given for the rollover crash test. The RDX is one of the SUVs in its segment to receive such great safety ratings.

NHTSA Rating

The RDX received an even greater response from IIHS. It was awarded the agency's top designation 'Top Safety Pick+' due to its outstanding performance in all crash tests conducted by IIHS. Individually, the RDX received 'Good' ratings in most of the tests but it also received an 'Acceptable\ rating for its headlights and a 'Superior' rating for front crash prevention. 

IIHS Rating

From the above-mentioned ratings from both safety agencies, we can say that the Acura RDX is a safe vehicle. Moreover, all the models are equipped with a total of eight airbags for further protection of the passengers. The RDX is also available with a large suite of safety systems by selecting either the Acura Watch package or the Advance package. 

 These safety features help to prevent an accident and ensure the safety of the passengers. The driver aids available in the RDX are:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Front & Rear Parking Sensots
• Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking

2017 Acura RDX vs 2017 Lexus NX200t

Unlike the RDX, the Lexus NX200t houses a four-cylinder engine that makes 44 hp less, and hence, it has the slowest acceleration in this competition. Also, its fuel efficiency is less however, its towing capacity is slightly better than the RDX. The NX200t's cabin lacks enough rear-seat space and cargo capacity as the RDX. In terms of safety, both the SUVs are the best with class-leading ratings and features but the NX200t leads with its strong reliability.

2017 Acura RDX vs 2017 Volvo XC60

With an initial price of $40,950, the Volvo XC60 is the most expensive car in this competition. Its heavy curb weight and less powerful engine affect its agility but is highly regarded for its good tow ratings. Since its engine makes less power, its MPG figures and driving range are better than the RDX.  It is also highly practical but its rear row is less roomy than the RDX. The XC60 is a better option for safety-conscious people as it packs more standard safety features. 

2017 Acura RDX vs 2017 Infiniti QX50

The Infiniti QX50 is nearly $1,000 cheaper than the RDX but houses the most powerful engine in this competition. Therefore, its acceleration and towing capacity are a lot better. However, its fuel efficiency is worse. Moreover, its cabin offers less passenger space for the rear occupants while its cargo volume is the least in this competition. The QX50 didn't receive as good safety ratings as the RDX but both of them offer decent safety features. 

Well-rounded is a term tossed too much in the automotive world which isn't fair to vehicles like the Acura RDX that truly embodies the designation. That's because you won't find any deal-breakers, ergonomic quirks or wildly overpriced add-ons. Just a comfortable-to-drive small luxury SUV that is loaded with value-for-dollar.