Yahoo Autos 2022 Acura RDX Review | Value-packed and surprisingly sporty
The small luxury SUV segment is crowded with many strong choices, but if you're looking for value and prefer your SUVs sporty, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than the 2022 Acura RDX. It's made even better for 2022 with a plethora of updates to make the driving experience nicer, as well as adding technology features that have become industry standards.
Although it was given a refresh for 2022, the basic RDX dates back to the 2019 model year. And the basics from then are still good. It has a gutsy engine, a responsive chassis, a quality interior and sharp styling. Not only that, it's incredibly spacious and it's packed with standard features from a panoramic sunroof to plenty of driver safety aids, all at a price lower than many of its competitors, including those from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and others.
That's not to say it's a class-leader. If you have certain things you particularly care about, perhaps ultimate performance, hybrid options, or a fancier and more stylish interior, there are other options to consider. But the Acura is one of the most well-rounded options, doing most things well, and doing so at a reasonable price.
Interior & Technology | Passenger & Cargo Space | Performance & Fuel Economy
What it's like to drive | Pricing & Features | Crash Ratings & Safety Features
What's new for 2022?
The RDX received a variety of mild updates for the 2022 model year. Styling has been tweaked with new front and rear bumpers and grilles (pictured above left). The active suspension on Advance Package trims is tuned for a sportier feel in Sport mode and a more comfortable feel in Comfort mode. The drive modes in every RDX have been retuned as well, while extra sound deadening material has been added throughout. Technology updates include new standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility and a USB-C charging port. Wireless charging and customizable ambient lighting are now available as options. A number of new interior and exterior colors are available, including a bright blue hue exclusive to the 200-unit PMC Edition (pictured above right). Furthermore, blind-spot warning is standard, automatic emergency braking now has pedestrian detection, and the chassis has additional reinforcements to improve crash performance.
What are the RDX interior and in-car technology like?
The RDX’s interior is a nice place to be. Most surfaces are covered with soft, premium-looking materials, including perforated leather, soft-touch plastics, and classy-looking vinyl. Aluminum trim comes standard, but some high-trim levels get natural finish wood trim.
The RDX introduces Acura’s True Touchpad Interface, which controls the infotainment system and its 10.2-inch screen with a center-console-mounted touchpad rather than a touchscreen interface. The system has a relatively steep learning curve and lacks any haptic feedback. It’s ultimately not as intuitive as we’d like, and that is important because it’s an interface you’ll be using all the time in an RDX – including to interface with the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. You can read our full impressions of the system here.
We've been more impressed by the RDX's sound systems, particularly the units available on higher trims. The ambient lighting system is also interesting, as it features a bunch of preset color combinations named after famous roads and race tracks.
How big is the RDX?
If you're looking for the most spacious "compact" luxury SUV for either passengers or cargo, the RDX is pretty great place to start. On paper, the RDX has the most rear legroom in the segment, and when we compared it back-to-back with a variety of competitors, that proved to be absolutely correct. Unless you're pushing for playing time in the NBA, your knees won't be touching the front seats. Importantly, a rear-facing child seat is also more likely to fit back there.
Cargo space is similarly excellent with 29.5 cubic-feet of space behind its raised back seat. That's better than everything in the segment except the Volvo XC60, which is basically equal. However, it actually has even more space thanks to its sizeable and genuinely useful under-floor storage area that swells capacity to 31.1 cubic-feet. The result is the ability to carry far more stuff than its luxury segment norm, and nearly match non-luxury super haulers like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Better still, that under-floor storage area is achieved without losing the spare tire – no run flats or cans of tire goo here.
What are the RDX fuel economy and performance specs?
Only one engine and transmission is available on the RDX. It's a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine makes 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The RDX also comes standard with front-wheel drive, but a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system is also available (SH-AWD).
Fuel economy differs only slightly depending on drivetrain, and whether the RDX has the A-Spec or PMC package. A front-drive standard RDX gets 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 24 combined. All-wheel drive drops it to 21/27/23. The front-drive A-Spec gets 22/27/24, and A-Spec or PMC models with all-wheel drive get 21/26/23.
