2022 Acura RDX

　　

2022 Acura RDX Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Budget luxury can certainly be an oxymoron when it comes to cars, but that intersection of affordability and refinement is where the 2022 Acura RDX finds its place in the world. Sure, there are some compromises to be made, but overall the RDX compares quite well to more expensive small SUVs from Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 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) - $40,600 MSRP4dr SUV w/Technology Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $43,250 MSRP4dr SUV w/A-Spec Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $46,250 MSRPSH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $42,800 MSRPSH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Technology Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $45,450 MSRPSH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/A-Spec Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $48,450 MSRPSH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/Advance Package (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $50,600 MSRPSH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD w/A-Spec and Advance Packages (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) (Most Popular) - $52,600 MSRPSH-AWD PMC Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 10A) - $53,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　For 2022 Acura has given the RDX a round of updates. The visual changes on the outside are fairly minor, but inside you'll find a new wireless charging pad and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. There's also extra sound-deadening material and a new active sound-reducing system to help make the cabin quieter. Mechanically the RDX is pretty the same, though Acura has revised the available adaptive suspension to provide more distinct settings for comfort and handling.

　　Overall, the 2022 Acura RDX proves you can get luxury and performance on a budget, as long as you keep your higher aspirations in check. Check out our test team's Expert Rating for more detail on where the updated RDX shines and where it could use a little improvement.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the RDX drive? Overall, the RDX is a solid performer. Its turbocharged engine provides strong power at low rpm to get you away from stoplights quickly, and the transmission is adept at picking the right gear for the situation. In zzdcar' testing, we recorded a 0-60 mph time of 7 seconds. That's a little slower than some other top competitors, but it's respectable. The brakes inspire confidence thanks to predictable engagement and good feel.

　　When you drive around turns, there's not much body roll. You'll definitely want SH-AWD to maximize the RDX's sporting potential since it helps the RDX power out of turns. The steering is nicely tuned. It's light and makes for easy maneuvering in parking lots but also firms up appropriately at higher speeds to give you a feeling of control.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RDX? The stylish heated and cooled front seats will accommodate a wide variety of drivers in comfort. They're also supportive to keep you secure when turning. The suspension does a respectable job of keeping you comfortable when driving over a variety of surfaces. The RDX shrugs off potholes and is well controlled over highway undulations.

　　Cabin noise is reasonably well muted, and there's minimal wind noise at freeway speeds. Some engine noise comes through, but it's never obnoxious. The climate control system doesn't have any issues regulating cabin temperature, but a lot of airflow is aimed at the driver's hands, which you may not like.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below