2019 Acura RDX Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byJason KavanaghSenior Vehicle Test Engineer

　　Jason joined zzdcar' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.

　　

What's new

The RDX is all-new for 2019Part of the third RDX generation introduced for 2019

　　The outgoing RDX was long on practicality but came up a bit short of its competition in performance and emotion. Those shortcomings end with the 2019 Acura RDX. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine has much more low-end torque than its predecessor's V6, giving the new RDX a decided edge in off-the-line oomph. Likewise, its quick steering and keen handling make it something that's genuinely capable on twisting tarmac.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Acura RDX 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$191/mo  for RDX Base

　　RDX Base

　　4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $37,400 MSRPSH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $39,400 MSRPSH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $42,600 MSRPSH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $47,500 MSRPTechnology Package 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $40,600 MSRPA-Spec 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $43,600 MSRPAdvance Package 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $45,500 MSRPSH-AWD A-Spec 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $45,600 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　There's an all-new infotainment interface that will become the de facto system in future Acuras. Its touchpad-based nature cuts down on the glance time required to operate it compared to touchscreens, and the sharp display and quick responses are promising.

　　In the bargain, the new 2019 Acura RDX doesn't give up any space inside. Occupants enjoy an airy cabin, and the new in-floor storage of the large cargo area is a terrific bonus. And with Acura's simple strategy of packaging features into four offerings, selecting one that suits your needs is a painless experience. So is paying for it, since it packs a lot of value.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

　　There's a lot to like about the 2019 Acura RDX. Among two-row compact luxury crossovers, the RDX's extensive technology features, roomy cabin and clever cargo area make it stand out. That it's quicker to accelerate and has more engaging handling than its predecessor only burnishes its appeal.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 10-speed automatic | AWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　Overall, the performance of the RDX A-Spec is cohesive and not deficient across the board. But little things such as brakes that are a bit on the small side, slightly underwhelming tires, and a sometimes sleepy throttle response take a bit of the shine off a solid performer.

　　

Acceleration

7.0

　　This turbocharged 2.0-liter engine pulls well thanks to generous low-end torque, but it lacks the top-end power of the six-cylinder X3. Closely spaced gears keep the engine in its sweet spot. At our track, 60 mph came in 7.0 seconds, slightly slower than other four-cylinders in the class, but the engine made a pleasing growl under hard acceleration.

　　

Braking

7.0

　　No matter what speed, these brakes inspire confidence thanks to predictable engagement and good feel. Our panic-stop test from 60 mph took 121 feet, which is average. But spirited driving on winding roads caused ours to wilt because the stability control system makes routine use of them to trim the car.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　Effort is well-matched to the drive mode. Comfort mode is light without feeling overassisted, while Sport and Sport+ feel taut with a good amount of heft. The variable steering ratio is well-tuned such that the RDX is easy to maneuver in parking lots yet never feels darty on twisty roads.

　　

Handling

7.5

　　The RDX A-Spec is conservatively tuned to produce more initial understeer than we'd like, and its wider tires don't seem to offer added grip. That said, it doesn't roll over much, and the SH-AWD system pays dividends when powering out of corners by giving the RDX the feel of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　The 10-speed automatic is adept at picking the right gear for the situation. The available Sport setting on the gear shift makes gear selection a half-step more aggressive. We actually sampled two different vehicles, and while one early car shifted clunkily when cold, a newer one felt fine.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　Though the A-Spec's 20-inch wheels might not bode well for ride comfort, the RDX makes sure its passengers are well-isolated from bumps at any speed. Combine that with standard active noise cancellation and comfortable seating for front and rear passengers, and the RDX impresses in the class.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The front passengers get stylish heated and cooled seats, which are able to accommodate a wide variety of drivers. There's good support for aggressive driving as well as long-haul comfort, too. In the rear seats, adult passengers will find a pleasing amount of room, comfort and visibility.

　　

Ride comfort

8.0

　　The standard suspension does a respectable job on a variety of road surfaces. (An adaptive suspension is available with the Advance package.) The body is well-controlled over undulations at highway speeds, and it is adept at shrugging off potholes and other square-edge bumps found in the city.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.0

　　Engine and road noise is reasonably well muted, whether the RDX is idling or cruising at highway speed. Wind noise is minimal, and normal conversation is still possible even when the large sunroof is fully open. Full throttle in the A-Spec lets a bit of engine growl come through, but it's never obnoxious.

　　

Climate control

7.0

　　It's easy to make adjustments because the controls are made up entirely of physical buttons. That said, the iconography is a little busy, and the buttons are a bit too small to scan at a glance. There's enough power to control the cabin temperature, but the driver's hands get the majority of the airflow.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　Advanced yet complex, the RDX is a mix of good basic ergonomic practices and some rather different, if not polarizing, ideas for how things should be done. The shifter arrangement and small buttons might fluster the driver, but at least the passengers will be comfortable.

　　

Ease of use

7.0

　　Depending on your level of technological savvy, the controls of the RDX might be easy to adapt to or slightly busy and a bit intimidating. Only the steering wheel controls are relatively straightforward but still take a bit of study time. The shifter and touchpad interface are an acquired taste.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.5

　　Front and rear passengers alike will have an easy time entering and exiting the RDX thanks to wide door openings. Stylishly shaped front seats don't get in the way, and rear passengers who wish to slide across the back seat have it easy thanks to the flat rear floor.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　Inherently good ergonomics mean that a wide range of drivers should be able to find a comfortable driving position. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes a good amount, and the dashboard sits high enough to make the instrumentation easy to see, but not so high as to interfere with the sight lines.

　　

Roominess

8.0

　　Front passengers have ample room in every direction. Even with the panoramic sunroof, there's plenty of headroom up front. Taller rear passengers might feel their hair brush against the headliner, but there's more than enough leg- and shoulder room despite what is a nonadjustable rear seat.

　　

Visibility

7.0

　　The straight-ahead view is not affected by the heavily sculpted hood, but the windshield pillars are a bit on the thick side and can block some visibility when cornering. The rear hatch's power-operated hinges compromise rear visibility. The backup camera is bright with good resolution.

　　

Quality

8.5

　　Inside and out, build quality is excellent and what you should expect in a luxury SUV. Interior panels are well-integrated, and the power window switches stand out with a smooth actuation. No squeaks or rattles were noted.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　Acura really has interior packaging figured out, and the RDX is yet another showcase of how much room the automaker manages to find and make useful. From a generous cargo area to flexible interior storage solutions, the RDX makes having a lot of stuff easier than it should be.

　　

Small-item storage

8.5

　　There's an abundance of storage up front due to a tiered center console that allows phones and media devices to be plugged in and rest on a shelf, out of sight. The cupholders are under a sliding cover, and there's a traditional center console storage as well. Rear door pockets can hold a water bottle.

　　

Cargo space

9.0

　　At 31.1 cubic feet, the RDX has a higher cargo capacity than the Audi Q5 (26.8 cubic feet) and the BMW X3 (28.7 cubic feet). The load floor is relatively low and wide, and under-floor storage is generous. The split-folding rear seats are easy to fold and lie almost flat.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

　　LATCH anchors are marked and exist in space between the seatback and bottom cushion. Rear-seat room is ample, so larger car seats should fit without having to reposition the front seats.

　　

Technology

8.5

　　This is the tour de force of the new RDX, and it could prove to be the main reason behind people buying or not buying this Acura. With an intriguing new touchpad interface, it will absolutely appeal to the tech-savvy buyer just as the impressive audio system will appeal to the dedicated audiophile.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.5

　　Control mastery takes time, but the performance of the navigation and audio system is hard to fault. The graphics are clear and modern, and the 16-speaker ELS 3D stereo system will stun an audiophile when fed with proper DVD-Audio source media. But the sound is less impressive when playing iTunes files.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.5

　　Apple CarPlay and its plug-and-play connectivity are standard, and we found the Bluetooth connection to be reliable. Both front and rear seats have two 2.5-amp ports for charging modern smartphones and tablets. Mobile hotspot capability is standard. Android Auto is not currently available but will come soon.

　　

Driver aids

8.5

　　Acura's suite of driver aids, AcuraWatch, is standard equipment and includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, collision warning and emergency braking. Stability control is nondefeatable, but there is a Snow mode for low-grip situations.

　　

Voice control

8.5

　　Acura uses natural language voice recognition, and we found it to be quite good at deciphering navigation requests, even for often tricky address numbers. Other voice commands were executed similarly well.

　　

Which RDX does zzdcar recommend?

　　The Technology package is the sweet spot for the 2019 RDX. In addition to this package's leather upholstery and premium audio, it adds navigation, parking sensors and additional driver assistance features. We recommend the all-wheel-drive variant for those drivers looking for improved handling and enhanced traction.

　　

2019 Acura RDX models

　　Like all Acuras, the new RDX is offered not in trim levels per se but as a single trim available with one of four option packages: base, Technology, A-Spec and Advance.

　　Acura keeps it simple by limiting stand-alone options to all-wheel drive and a few dealer accessory items.

　　All RDXs are equipped with the same powertrain, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (272 horsepower, 280 pound-feet) connected to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. The RDX's all-wheel-drive system is the fourth generation of the company's clever torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Its ability to route torque across the rear axle (which is itself overdriven compared to the front axle) provides a significant edge in influencing the car's ability to turn into and out of a corner.

　　Base versions are actually quite well-equipped, boasting 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, keyless ignition and entry, power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, simulated leather upholstery, and 12-way power-adjustable and heated front seats.

　　Also standard is the AcuraWatch suite of driver aids (includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control) and an infotainment system that includes the new True Touchpad Interface, a 10.2-inch central display, two USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and 9-speaker sound system with satellite radio.

　　The Technology package adds navigation, parking sensors, leather upholstery, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, two rear-seat USB ports and an upgraded 12-speaker sound system.

　　The RDX A-Spec adds 20-inch wheels and wider tires, some visual flair via blacked-out trim inside and out, and unique cabin treatment. It looks sporty, but the suspension is the same as that of lesser RDXs, so the A-Spec's wheels and tires are its sole dynamic differentiator. The A-Spec, though, does get a stunning 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system and ventilated seats.

　　The Advance package is the most feature-packed of all. Acoustic front door glass and thicker carpet quiet things down, while its adaptive suspension dampers, a hands-free liftgate, upgraded power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a customizable head-up display give it an edge in comfort and convenience. It also has the ELS stereo and ventilated seats from the A-Spec.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 RDX articles

　　

2019 RDX Highlights

Trim: BaseSH-AWDTechnology PackageA-SpecAdvance PackageSH-AWD A-SpecBase

　　

Base MSRP	$37,400
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$191/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	31.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles