2018 Acura RDX

Acura has equipped the RDX with a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine which is mated to six-speed automatic transmission. There are no other engine upgrades available which is one of the flaws that the 2018 RDX carries. Front wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available for extra $1,500. Prices start just over $35,000. 

The 2018 Acura RDX is five-seater luxury SUV and is powered by a standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine. There are no trims to choose from but Acura has equipped the RDX with five optional packages. The AcuraWatch Plus package adds driver assist features while the Technology package includes a 10-speaker sound system, navigation, and sports seats. The Advance package bundles all the package together and adds additional luxury features such as ventilated seats and remote ignition start. Front wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available.

Packages	Standard	AcuraWatch Plus	Technology	AcuraWatch Pl and Tech	Advance
MSRP(2WD)	$35,800	$37,100	$39,500	$40,800	$42,500
MSRP(AWD)	$37,300	$38,600	$41,000	$42,300	$44,000
Features	Auto Headlights Cruise control Keyless entry and ignition Power liftgate Auto Climate control	Features of Standard Plus: Forward collision warning and automatic braking system, Lane departure warning and keeping system, Adaptive cruise control and a color trip computer display.	The Technology package adds: Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems Navigation system, traffic information, GPS-linked climate control, leather upholstery Eight-way power passenger seat Smartphone apps with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, HD radio, Aha internet radio capability and a 10-speaker sound system.	Features of Acura Watch Plus: And Technology	Features of Acura Watch Pl and Tech Plus: Front and Rear parking sensors Automatic wipers Foglights, Auto-dimming side mirrors Remote Ignition Ventilated front seats.

Confused? We will help you find the best trim

Go with the fully loaded RDX with the Advance package and all-wheel drive as it is barely more expensive than the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC Class. The Advance package adds a plethora of driver assistance feature along with infotainment techs.

If your typical route includes mostly urban settings or cross-country road trips via interstates and highways, the 2018 Acura RDX is well suited to your cause. Its powertrain is peppy enough for everyday driving, and its smooth ride is a boon when driving all day. Cars.usnews.com

Engine and Transmission

The 2018 Acura RDX gets only one powertrain: a 3.5-liter V6 engine that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It churns out 279 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque which feels sluggish but has enough oomph to handle all your driving needs. The V6 sounds great and when equipped with the AWD (all-wheel drive) it can send 40 percent torque to the rear wheel if slip is detected from front wheels which are perfect for slippery road condition.

Models	Acura RDX Standard	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	Lexus NX 300
MSRP	$35,800	$42,650	$40,050	$35,985
Engine	3.5L port injection V-6	2.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder	2.0L inline-4 turbo w/Direct Injection	2.0L inline-4 turbo
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	9-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Power	279 hp	248 hp	241 hp	235 hp
Torque	252 lb-ft	258 lb-ft	273 lb-ft	258 lb-ft

Acceleration

The 2018 Acura RDX is mated to a V6 engine that delivers a strong acceleration for a 4,000-pound midsize SUV. It takes 6.2 seconds to make 0-60 which is good when compared to rivals like the Lexus NX and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The BMW X3 lead the segment as it goes to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds however it also carries a higher price tag.

Models	Acura RDX Standard	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	Lexus NX 300
0-60 MPH	6.2 sec	6.0 sec	6.3 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter mile	14.8 sec @ 93.8 mph	14.1 sec @ 98.8 mph	14.0 sec @ 92 mph	14.8 sec @ 94 mph
Engine	3.5L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.7	7.0	7.3	7.1

Braking and Handling

Every 2018 Acura RDX comes standard with the front-wheel drive and an optional all-wheel drive. The midsize SUV however, behaves like a front wheel drive until challenged on slippery condition that requires extra traction from the rear wheels. The handling, however, feels composed and secure when driving through turns and the response from the steering is excellent with minimal feedback from the road.

Model	Acura RDX Standard	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	Lexus NX 300
Brake Front(in)	12.3	13.0	13.5	11.7
Brake Rear(in)	12.0	13.0	12.6	11.2
Curb Weight(lbs)	3737	4150	3891	3940
60-0 MPH (ft.)	122	127	115	N/A

The Acura RDX stops form 60 mph in 122 feet, which is average for the class. There is also a noticeable amount of nosedive while continuous stops and the all-season tires make a quiet cabin noisy when ABS is applied.

Towing Capacity

With a towing capacity of 1,500-pounds, the 2018 Acura RDX will help you take care of smaller chores that you cannot do with a sedan. It has the least towing capacity in the class and if your need requires towing small boats or ATVs then go with the BMW X3 that is rated to tow 4,409-pounds.

Model	Acura RDX Standard	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	Lexus NX 300
Drive Train	2WD	AWD	RWD	FWD
Power Train	3.5L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Capacity(lbs)	1500	4409	3500	2000

The V6 engine on the 2018 Acura RDX is refined, but it is the thirstiest of the lot. The RDX with front-wheel drive checks in at 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 23 combined. Meanwhile, the all-wheel-drive system drops the rating by mpg as it is rated at 19/27/22.

Model	Acura RDX Standard	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	Lexus NX 300
MPG (city)	20	22	22	22
MPG (highway)	28	29	28	28
MPG (combined)	23	25	23	25

"The 2018 Acura RDX stands out for its ample passenger space. The cabin features upscale materials but lacks some of the high-end options you can get in some competitors. Its technology gets mixed reviews, but most agree that learning how to use the infotainment system is difficult."- Cars.usnews.com

Seating and Comfort

Both front and rear door open wide for easy ingress and egress while the large windows make for a good visibility of the road. Though, the availability of blind spot-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert increases the level of awareness.

Model	Acura RDX Standard	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	Lexus NX 300
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume (ft cube)	103.5	101.4	102.8	101.6
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.7/58.7/42.0	41.1/57.6/40.3	37.8/57.3/40.8	38.2/57.3/42.8
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.1/57.2/38.3	39.1/56/36.4	38.5/56.5/37.3	38.1/55.3/36.1

The RDX is one of the roomiest luxury compact SUV. It makes for one of the most generous rear-seat legroom in the class with 38.3 inches. The shoulder room is similarly generous making ample space for three adults passenger in the second row. The back seats also have three tether anchors for installing child safety which is easy to use.

Infotainment

The RDX infotainment system consists of a 5-inch display screen which most driver say takes time to get familiarize with. The upgraded system complicates things even further as it adds a second screen and removes many redundant buttons but it still isn’t intuitive. Base infotainment system includes:

• Bluetooth
• USB
• Satellite radio
• Seven-speaker audio system

Cargo Space

"The cargo area is wider than that of many rivals and generally more useful." Edmunds

The 2018 Acura offers 26.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. The back-seat folds with a 60/40 split to make 61.3 cubic feet of cargo space. These numbers are above average for the segment and there are only a few rivals like the BMW X3 that offers more cargo than the Acura RDX. A power liftgate comes standard.

Model	Acura RDX Standard	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	Lexus NX 300
Volume behind 2nd row (cube ft.)	26.1	28.7	17.6	17.7
2nd row folded (cube ft.)	61.3	62.2	56.5	54.6

Acura has gone through several iterations of its “beak” front fascia, none of which have really worked. The RDX wears the look better than the brand’s sedans have and we like the way its five-square LED headlights are integrated. It’s not a double-take kind of look, but the RDX is largely inoffensive. If you want a little more flash, opt for the Technology Package with its machine-finished 18s. TheCarConnection  

Dimension and Weight

In terms of dimensions, the 2018 Acura RDX is neither the longest nor the heaviest in the class, so maneuvering this SUV should not be a concern for most drivers. It is, however, longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Lexus NX300. The BMW X3, however, leads the segment when it comes to height and length. These extra inches on the BMW X3 also gets you more cargo space than most in the competition.

Model	Acura RDX Standard	BMW X3 xDrive30i	Mercedes-Benz GLC 300	Lexus NX 300
Curb weight(lbs)	3737	4150	3891	3940
Length(in)	184.4	185.9	183.3	182.6
Width(in)	73.7	74.4	74.4	73.6
Height(in)	65.0	66.0	64.5	64.8
Ground clearance(in)	8.1	8.0	6.0	6.9
Wheelbase(in)	105.7	112.8	113.1	104.7
Track width(in) F/R	63.1/63.4	NA	NA	NA

The 2018 Acura RDX has performed well in the crash tests conducted by the IIHS and NHSTA. It earned a five-star rating overall in each category by the NHSTA expect for the rollover rating where it got a 4-star. The IIHS meanwhile granted it a “Good” score in crashworthiness. The agency however rated the LATCH and headlight as “Acceptable”. The RDX has also earned a Top Safety Pick award this year.

In terms of reliability, the Acura covers the RDX with a 4-year/ 50,000-mile limited warranty and 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

NHSTA Rating

Overall Rating
Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	5 Star
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver	5 Star
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger	5 Star
Overall Side Crash Rating	5 Star
Overall Side Barrier Rating	5 Star
Side Barrier Rating Driver	5 Star
Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat	5 Star
Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat	5 Star
Combined Side Rating Front Seat	5 Star
Rollover Rating	4 Star

IIHS Rating

Crashworthiness
Small overlap front Driver side	Good
Small overlap front Passenger side	N/A
Moderate overlap front Driver side	Good
Side	Good
Roof Strength	Good
Head Restraints & Seats	Good

 

Crash Avoidance and Mitigation
Front Crash Prevention	Superior
Headlights	Acceptable
Child Seat Anchor (LATCH) Ease Of Use	Acceptable

Safety features

Excellent crash test score along with a plethora of collision avoidance techs makes the Acura RDX a safe bet. Most of the advanced safety system is bundled in the AcuraWatch Plus package which includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and active lane control.

• Dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags (SRS)
• Front side airbags with SmartVent technology
• Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor
• 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
• Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with motion-adaptive steering and traction control
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure
• Side-impact door beams
• 3-point height-adjustable seat belts with load limiters and automatic tensioning system (front)
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child-seat mounting system
• Theft-deterrent system with electronic immobilizer

Acura RDX vs BMW X3

The BMW X3 offers more cargo capacity and a sporty performance. It also offers an optional turbocharged engine with up to 300 horsepower unlike the 2018 Acura RDX which only comes with one engine specification. The X3 also handles well and feels nimble around corners. The RDX is priced several thousand dollars less than the BMW and when equipped with the Advance package it matches the X3’s performance and still costs a couple thousand dollars less. Driving enthusiasts would love the X3’s sporty demeanor but the RDX is also a good SUV to go with.

Acura RDX Vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC offers plush interior with niche material quality. It is also hard to beat the GLC when it comes to offering advanced safety and high-tech features. The RDX on the other hand offers more interior space and cargo capacity than the GLC. The Acura has also earned Top Safety Pick award making it one of the safest SUV on road.

Acura RDX vs Lexus NX

Both the SUVs carry a low-price tag, but the Lexus NX is a better alternative to the Acura RDX as it offers more cargo capacity and mileage. It also inches ahead of the RDX in terms of towing capacity. The Acura however is more athletic on wheels and offer better driving dynamics. It also has more ground clearance than the NX and is a better off-roader.

The 2018 Acura RDX is a great choice to with if you are looking for an entry-level luxury SUV. It is priced pretty low as compared to others in the competition and offers best in class safety features and techs. The RDX also comes with best in class cargo and interior space making it a solid choice for family and also a comfortable daily driver. However, if you want a sportier feel then you will be better served by the likes of BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC.