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- Lower price, more features than rivals
- Strong turbo engine
- Nimble handling
- Reliability and resale value
- Crash ratings
- Complex controls
- Smaller cargo bay than some competitors
- Lackluster fuel economy
- Meager towing capacity
- Bumpy ride
- Hard plastic in cabin
Unlike its more placid rivals, experts say the 2010 Acura RDX loves to hug curves -- just like the 2010 Audi Q5 (Base MSRP: $37,350), critics' favorite small premium SUV. The Acura also comes equipped with more features for thousands less than its German rival. However, its stiff ride, hard plastic trim and unimpressive fuel economy relegate the RDX to the shadow of the more capable Q5 in reviews.
The Acura RDX is fitted with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, rather than the heavier V6 more commonly seen in this class. Testers agree that the 240-horsepower, 2.3-liter engine puts out plenty of power for driving, but not towing; maximum towing capacity is only 1,500 pounds, versus 4,400 pounds for the Audi Q5. Reviews can't agree whether they like the engine or not. Testers at Edmunds.com and Car and Driver don't detect much turbo lag at all. David Thomas at Cars.com feels plenty of turbo lag and boost, but he actually prefers it that way, saying it makes the RDX a "rambunctious little devil" that's more fun to drive.
ConsumerGuide.com knocks the RDX for the turbo lag and calls the engine a "questionable" choice, especially as experts agree it's not very fuel-efficient. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the all-wheel-drive Acura RDX (Base MSRP: $34,520) will deliver 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway/19 mpg combined with its five-speed automatic transmission. That's 1 mpg less all around than the all-wheel-drive Audi Q5. For 2010, Acura offers a front-wheel-drive version (Base MSRP: $32,520) that boosts fuel economy by an estimated 2 mpg.
Inside, critics say the Acura RDX sports a sleek cabin with leather seats, but without the otherwise lush materials found in the Audi Q5. "There's a little too much hard plastic," Edmunds.com says, and ConsumerGuide.com calls the "liberal use of cheap-looking, hard plastic surfaces … disappointing for both an Acura and for this price level." Passenger room for five is adequate, but the rear seats don't slide or recline as they do on the Audi Q5, or even on the Acura's cheaper cousin, the top-rated 2010 Honda CR-V (Base MSRP: $21,545 to $27,745). Cargo space is about 28 cubic feet, or about 61 cubic feet with the rear seats folded -- roughly on par with the Audi Q5, but smaller than the 2010 BMW X3 (Base MSRP: $38,850) and some others in the class.
Still, the 2010 Acura RDX is the least expensive premium SUV, and it includes more standard luxury features than pricier rivals. A sunroof, backup camera, heated front seats, driver's seat memory and Bluetooth are part of the Acura's base price, but they all cost extra on the Audi Q5.
Crash ratings are very good and are just as high as the Audi Q5's. The Acura RDX includes antilock brakes, electronic stability control and front, front-side and curtain airbags.
Reliability has been above average as well, according to one major owner survey. The 2010 Acura RDX is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, with a six-year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty.
Edmunds.com does the most complete analysis of the Acura RDX, testing every major aspect and comparing it against similar SUVs. Car and Driver and Motor Trend both test the new 2010 front-wheel-drive version, and ConsumerGuide.com tests both drive systems. The RDX is a favorite in thorough tests at Cars.com and a shorter review at Kelley Blue Book. Separate crash tests are conducted at SaferCar.gov (the federal government's auto safety website) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. FuelEconomy.gov ranks most SUVs, including the RDX, by estimated gas mileage. ConsumerReports.org rates the RDX based on the nonprofit's usual careful testing, but the test is a few years old.
Our Sources
1. Edmunds.com
The Audi Q5 is Edmunds.com's top pick in this segment, but editors say the Acura RDX is worth a look, too. It's agile and stylish, and testers here like the turbo engine.
Review: 2010 Acura RDX Review, Editors of Edmunds.com
2. Car and DriverDetails/Subscribe
Again, the Audi Q5 is the Editors Choice here, but Car and Driver also likes the "responsive," high-quality Acura RDX -- especially since its "ride quality has been civilized for 2010." This overview links to a test drive of the new 2010 front-wheel-drive version.
Review: 2010 Acura RDX, Editors of Car and Driver
3. Motor TrendDetails/Subscribe
Like Car and Driver, Motor Trend concludes that the front-wheel-drive Acura RDX -- newly offered for 2010 alongside the four-wheel-drive version -- is a good thing, saving money, weight and fuel without sacrificing handling.
Review: Quick Drive: 2010 Acura RDX 2WD, Carlos Lago, August 2009
4. Cars.com
An old hand with the Acura RDX (his mother-in-law owns one), David Thomas likes its "quirky" turbo engine and low price for its segment. It's a Cars.com Best Buy, but Thomas wonders if the 2010 version's shield-shaped corporate grille will drive shoppers away.
Review: 2010 Acura RDX, David Thomas, Dec. 22, 2009
Agile though it may be, ConsumerGuide.com testers can't get past the Acura RDX's inefficient turbo engine, stiff ride and cheap cabin plastics. Both the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions are tested here.
Review: 2010 Acura RDX: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
6. SaferCar.gov
The Acura RDX performs very well in government crash tests, with perfect 5-star front and side crash ratings and 4 stars for rollover avoidance.
Review: 5-Star Safety Ratings, Editors of SaferCar.gov
7. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Like most of its close rivals, the Acura RDX earns the highest rating of Good in front-, side- and rear-crash tests here. However, it has not yet been tested for rollover roof strength, so it can't qualify as a Top Safety Pick.
Review: Midsize Luxury SUVs, Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
This federal website compares most 2010 SUVs based on fuel economy. Both the front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions of the Acura RDX are ranked.
Review: 2010 Sport Utility Vehicles, Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
Editors here name the Acura RDX one of their Top Recommended picks, based on a test of the 2009 version. Its "outstanding reputation for service, reliability and resale" make it stand out from the growing crowd of small premium SUVs.
Review: 2009 Acura RDX 4-door Sport Utility, Editors of Kelley Blue Book
10. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org ranks dozens of SUVs, including the Acura RDX, based on its own expert testing. Editors judge fuel economy, accident avoidance, performance, comfort, reliability and owner satisfaction. However, ConsumerReports.org hasn't tested the RDX since 2007, and other sources say it has been improved since then.
Review: Acura RDX, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
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