2021 Acura RDX Model Review & Package Comparison
About the 2021 Acura RDX
Defining what a compact luxury SUV should represent, the Acura RDX gives you dynamic performance, a premium yet spacious interior, and a collection of advanced technology with groundbreaking safety innovations. In the process of designing the RDX, the engineers at Acura carefully incorporated the foundations of the Acura Precision Concept including its low stance, sharp profile, and wheels-out proportions. Giving you plenty of exhilaration on your commute, the RDX is powered by a direct-injected VTEC® Turbo 2.0-liter engine which produces a balanced 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Now in its third generation, the RDX is designed and developed in the USA. Its luxurious interior combined with impressive active and passive safety features makes the Acura RDX one of the most dynamic five-passenger SUVs in its class.
What the Critics Say
The front passengers of the RDX are pampered with what Acura calls its next-generation sport seats, and has 12-way power adjustments. Impressively, Acura says that this is standard across the line. Also standard is a panoramic moonroof that Acura claims is the largest in its class; along with a light-toned interior, gives an airy, upscale feel.” — J.D. Power
As the first Acura vehicle designed from the outset around the brand’s new pentagonal grille design, the RDX wears it best. Other styling cues picked up from Acura’s Precision concept from 2016 also work well, including the bold fender bulges, spearlike hood creases, and pointed headlights and taillights. It all combines to form a shape that is both sporty and upscale.” — Car and Driver
2021 Acura RDX Features
Styling & Performance
Wearing a captivating exterior design, the RDX sports Acura’s signature Diamond Pentagon Grille accented by all-new Jewel Eye™ headlights which now include a total of seven LED light elements. Large air intakes incorporate NSX-inspired air curtains that direct air efficiently around the front wheels and alongside the body. Bold hood bulges and crisp character lines highlight the front and rear fenders to give the RDX an unmistakable look on the road.
Dynamic performance comes in the form of a standard 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC turbocharged engine featuring direct injection and i-VTEC® valvetrain. Drivers can enjoy a total of 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Drivers can also select torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) on the RDX for superior handling and grip across all conditions. Up to 70% of engine torque can be allocated to the rear wheels while up to 100% of that torque can be distributed to either the right-rear or left-rear wheel, giving you inspired control and agility.
Spacious and Luxurious Cabin
Giving you a more luxurious, connected, and personalized driving experience — the generously-appointed, tech-focused, and spacious interior of the RDX defies convention. Ranking among the largest and widest in its class, the standard panoramic moonroof creates an open and airy atmosphere inside the cabin. Intricately-sculpted sport seats include a lightweight ultra-high-strength steel frame for improved lateral support along with up to 16-way power adjustability. Standard Apple CarPlay smartphone integration lets you stream your favorite songs through the optional 16-speaker ELS Studio® 3D system. With a 2.6-inch longer wheelbase, the Acura RDX gives you access to 3.4 cubic feet of additional cargo space compared to the previous model in addition to an extra 1.7 cubic feet of underfloor storage.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Thanks to a clean sheet redesign, the True Touchpad Interface™ of the RDX gives you a system-level approach optimized for the driver to improve the overall experience. A 10.2-inch full-HD center display sits atop the center console and is controlled with a console-mounted touchpad with an Android-based operating system. A simple touch on any location of the touchpad directly corresponds to the same location on the display. A natural language voice recognition system makes it easier for you to control the optional embedded Acura Navigation System. An available 10.5-inch full-color interactive Head-Up Display projects critical drive information such as phone, audio, navigational directions, AcuraWatch alerts, and more right in your line of sight.
Groundbreaking Safety
All Acura RDX models come standard with the full suite of AcuraWatch safety and driver assist technologies, including Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW). Other standard safety tech includes front knee airbags, side curtain airbags, front and side airbags, pre-tensioning seatbelts, and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child-seat anchors. Superior strength and rigidity comes from the Acura Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.
Acura RDX Standard Equipment
Exterior
- 19-inch Glitter Silver Multi-Spoke Wheels
- Jewel Eye® LED Headlights
- LED-illuminated Dragon Tail Taillights
- Gloss Black Tailgate Spoiler
- Heated Side Mirrors
- Dual Exhaust Outlets
Interior
- Sport Seats
- Front 12-Way Heated Power Seats with Power Lumbar Support
- Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Flat-Folding Rear Seatback
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control with Humidity Control and Air Filtration
- Keyless Access System with Pushbutton Ignition
- 79.8 cubic feet Max Cargo Volume Behind First Row
- Ambient Cabin Lighting
Media & Connectivity
- Acura Premium Audio System with 9 Speakers
- Apple CarPlay™ Integration
- True Touchpad Interface™
- 10.2-inch HD Dual-Content Center Display
- 7-inch Color Multi-Information Display (MID)
- Mobile Hotspot Capability
Safety & Driver Assistance
- Multi-View Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines
- Auto High-Beam Headlights
- Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™)
- Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW) System
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System
Acura RDX Exterior Colors
Platinum White Pearl (+$500 MSRP)
Lunar Silver Metallic
Modern Steel Metallic
Majestic Black Pearl (+$500 MSRP)
Fathom Blue Pearl
Performance Red Pearl (+$500 MSRP)
Gunmetal Metallic (+$500 MSRP)
Apex Blue Pearl (requires A-Spec® Package +$6,400 MSRP)
*Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excludes destination charge but excludes tax, license, registration, and options. Dealer prices may vary.
**Based on 2021 EPA mileage ratings; Use for comparison purposes only; Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.
