2020 Acura RDX – Test Drive, Review, Ratings, Specs
Bringing Performance Ingenuity
Entering its third generation just last year, the Acura RDX promises performance with its 5-seater luxury cross-over with a 10-speed automatic transmission, Super-Handling all-wheel drive and an obsessively tuned 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that will outclasses the BMW X3, BMW X3 and Audi Q5 in the same engine configuration with 272 horsepower and 280 lbs.ft of torque.
Contemporary styling inspired by its NSX counterparts are additional key points with a base price of $43,990 making it more affordable than its competitors in the luxury crossover SUV segment. That price point also compromises for a lower-tier cabin space, but first-class luxury was never really Acura’s brand intentions anyway.
Interior
Low bucket seating in a driver-focused arrangement are immediately noticed upon first entry into the RDX cabin space. The center console stack entails a 10.2″ infotainment screen, climate controls, a rotary dial drive-mode selector, digital button shift control, and laptop-based track-pad for interacting with the infotainment system.
The component layout is a bit cluttered and the homogeneous black and lower-grade choice of materials masks some of the luxury opportunities in the interior. Still, the perforated leather steering wheel, red-lined stitching (available in our A-Spec tester model) and suede leather seating makes an overall positive interior appeal.
Powertrain
Standard across the RDX lineup is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that nets 272 horsepower and 280 lbs.ft of torque. The RDX also gets one of the industry’s best Super-Handling all-wheel that incorporates torque vectoring to substantially improve vehicle stability and handling.
Manual shift mode is available via its steering-mounted paddle shifters and the drive-mode selector further tailors the throttle, transmission and steering sensitivity for various driving conditions.
Available exclusive on the highest Elite trim include dynamic damping suspensions capable of automatically stiffening the suspensions on fast acceleration and cornering for improved handling or soften for better comfort. The RDX gets an EPA fuel rating of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. It’s good, but not great.
Safety and Tech
A 10.2″ infotainment system handles all media controls through a track-pad interface similar to that of a computer laptop. Navigation and voice recognition will require you to opt for the Technology package for an extra $3,300.
Using the track pad proved difficult to use at most times even with its hand-writing recognition and haptic feedback. Voice recognition and navigation was also a bit sluggish in performance and unfortunately, this won’t replace the reliability and robustness of a smartphone unfortunately. The good news here is the Acura-Link infotainment system will support Android Auto and Apple Carplay.
All trims will get the standard rear view camera and opting for the next level Technology package and up gets you more advanced blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert system.
Final Thoughts
The RDX offers exquisite luxury styling backed by performance spec’d components to deliver an enthusiastic driving experience. While the 10-speed automatic gearbox may be an engineering marvel in its price class, there’s no denying in physics with a miniature 2.0L turbo-charged engine and sluggish acceleration that comes along with it. In that engine displacement capacity, we would also expect better fuel economy.
Specifications
- Vehicle : 2020 Acura RDX
- Model : A-Spec
- Vehicle Type : 5-door Cross-over
- Seating Capacity : 2+3
- Engine : 2.0L 4 Cylinder
- Transmission : 10-speed automatic
- Price as tested: $51,190
Pros
- Exquisite exterior design
- Excellent handling with Super-Handling AWD system
- Base trim priced lower than its competitors
Cons
- Sluggish acceleration
- Interior lacks luxury treatment