Acura RDX

The Acura RDX is a mid-size premium SUV from Honda’s luxury division, Acura. The first-generation RDX debuted in 2006, positioned beneath the brand's flagship SUV, the MDX. In 2018, the third-generation RDX made its global premiere at the North American International Auto Show, underpinned by an all-new bespoke platform. The model was initially introduced to the Chinese market as a CBU import, offering 3.0L and 3.5L V6 naturally aspirated petrol engines; it was subsequently localized as a CKD model by GAC Acura in late 2018. In 2022, the Acura brand officially pulled out of the Chinese market, with the GAC Acura RDX discontinued and taken off showroom floors from 2023 onwards.

Model Overview

Positioned as a mid-size luxury SUV with an emphasis on dynamic handling and spirited performance, the RDX counts the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Lexus NX, and Cadillac XT5 among its chief rivals. The China-spec model carried a retail price range of RM328,000 to RM460,000. In North America, the RDX remains one of Acura's top-performing volume drivers—registering 39,228 units in 2023, up 58.5% year-on-year; in 2025, it posted full-year sales of 31,627 units, ranking as the second best-selling Acura model in the US. Dimensionally, the SUV measures 4,675 mm in length, 1,870 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height, riding on a 2,685 mm wheelbase. The 2025 Acura RDX kicks off from USD 45,700 in the North American market.

Design Language

The third-generation RDX embodies Acura's "Precision Crafted Performance" design ethos. Up front, it features the brand's signature Diamond Pentagon grille flanked by Jewel Eye all-LED headlamp clusters. The 2025 facelift adopts an all-new "frameless" Diamond Pentagon grille with a slimmer surround and a refreshed mesh insert. The 2025 model gets gloss black exterior accents and newly styled 19-inch Berlina Black alloy wheels as standard; the sportier A-Spec trim gains more aggressive darkened styling elements and larger 20-inch alloys. Three new exterior paint finishes have also been introduced: Solar Silver Metallic, Canyon River Blue Metallic, and Urban Grey Pearl. Around the back, it features LED dragon-tail taillights and prominent dual exhaust tailpipes. Inside, the driver-centric cockpit has been revised for 2025, featuring a redesigned centre console with repositioned cupholders and an integrated Qi wireless charging pad. High-spec variants add full leather upholstery, ambient cabin lighting, and illuminated door-mounted speaker grilles.

Powertrain and Performance

Power across the entire RDX range comes from a 2.0-litre VTEC turbocharged inline-four petrol engine (engine code K20C5), churning out 272 hp (around 200 kW) and 380 Nm of peak torque. Power is channelled through Honda’s in-house developed transverse 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission (10AT) — the world’s first 10-speed planetary gear automatic designed for transverse engine layouts, boasting an overall packaging length even more compact than Honda's older 6-speed auto. The 0–100 km/h sprint is completed in 7.6 to 8.0 seconds. The SUV is offered in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, with the AWD variants featuring Acura's acclaimed SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system. Fuel tank capacity is rated at 61 litres.

Chassis and Handling

The third-generation RDX sits on an Acura-exclusive dedicated chassis architecture, cutting ties with the shared Honda CR-V platform. The suspension setup incorporates an Adaptive Damper System (ADS) (active electromagnetic dampers) that adjusts damping stiffness in real time based on road conditions. AWD models are equipped with the fourth-generation SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system, capable of actively varying front-to-rear torque distribution from 90:10 down to 30:70, as well as providing 0:100 to 100:0 independent torque vectoring across the rear axle. Drivers can toggle between four drive modes via the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS): Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, which tailor steering weight, throttle mapping, shift patterns, and damper firmness accordingly.

Cabin and Equipment

The interior comes fitted with a 10.2-inch floating central touchscreen infotainment display and the Acura Precision Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. For added comfort, a panoramic glass sunroof is standard across the range. High-spec grades add 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, heated rear outer seats, a Qi wireless smartphone charger, a colour Head-Up Display (HUD), and a 360-degree surround-view monitor. In terms of practicality, folding the rear bench expands boot space to a massive 79.8 cubic feet (around 2,260 litres).

Safety and Advanced Driver Assistance

The RDX comes standard with the AcuraWatch™ advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) suite across all variants. The active safety package comprises Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS with Autonomous Emergency Braking), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC with Low-Speed Follow), Blind Spot Information (BSI), and Cross Traffic Monitor (CTM). On the passive safety front, the SUV is fortified with a comprehensive multi-airbag system and Honda’s proprietary ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure. In safety testing, the RDX has consistently clinched the prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award from the US IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), alongside a full 5-Star overall safety score from the US NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Market Performance and Reception

The RDX has experienced contrasting fortunes across key global markets. In North America, the RDX has long been an indispensable pillar of Acura's portfolio—chalking up 39,228 sales in 2023 with a 58.5% year-on-year surge, followed by 31,627 units sold throughout 2025. It has similarly enjoyed strong popularity in Mexico as the brand’s best-selling SUV. Conversely, in China, lukewarm brand equity and a premium price tag saw the RDX struggle to build commercial traction; following Acura's withdrawal from the Chinese market in 2022, local assembly and sales of the CKD RDX officially ended in 2023.

Automotive media reviews have widely praised the third-generation RDX for its dynamic powertrain delivery and sharp handling, with the 2.0T+10AT drivetrain earning accolades for its linear responsiveness and shift refinement. The corner-carving agility and high-speed stability unlocked by the SH-AWD setup remain its standout attributes. On the flip side, critiques have pointed towards a slightly dated interior layout and weaker brand cachet compared to its German rivals. The next-generation Acura RDX is slated for a 2026 debut, where it is expected to ditch pure petrol power in favour of an all-new hybrid powertrain.