2020 Acura RDX

The 2020 Acura RDX carries forward unchanged from 2020 and that can be seen in the trim levels as well. The 4 Trims on offer- Standard, Technology, A-Spec and Advance, come with the option of FWD or AWD. The A-Spec adds exclusivity with certain features and embellishments specific to the A-Spec trim only.

Trim	Standard	Technology	A-Spec	Advance
MSRP (FWD)	$37,600	$40,800	$43,800	$45,700
MSRP (AWD)	$39,600	$42,800	$45,800	$47,700
Key Features	Panoramic Moon Roof with Tilt and Slide	Adds/Upgrades to Standard Trim	Adds/Upgrades to Technology Trim	Adds/Upgrades to A-Spec Trim
	Auto On/Off LED Headlights with Wiper Integration	GPS Iinked Climate Control	LED Foglights	Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers
	LED Taillights, Turn Indicators, CHMSL	Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel	A-Spec exclusive Front and Rear Bumpers	Heated Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
	Heated, Reverse Tilt Down Side Mirrors	Natural Language Voice Recognition	Red Ambient Cabin Lighting with Dark Brushed Aluminum Trim	Natural Olive Ash Burl Wood Trim
	Sport Seats with Leather Trimmed Interiors with 7" Color MID	Sport Seats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather-Trimmed Interior with Contrast Stitching	Sport A-SpecSeats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather and Ultrasuede Trimmed Interior with Contrast Stitching and Piping	Sport Seats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather-Trimmed Interior with Contrast Stitching and Piping
	Front 12 Way Powered, Heated Seats with Power Lumbar Support	Acura Navigation System with 3D View, Traffic Rerouting, Real-Time Traffic with Street and Freeway conditions	Heated and Ventilated Front Seats	Front 16-Way Power Seats with Power Lumbar Support, Power Thigh Extension and Power Side Bolsters and Heated Outboard Rear Seats
	9 Speaker Acura Premium Audio System with 10.2" Touchscreen Infotainment	12 Speaker Acura/ELS Studio Premium Audio	16 Speaker Acura/ELS Studio 3D Audio System	10.5" Heads-Up Display

Which trim to go for?

The A-Spec trim comes with plenty of exclusive features and treatments, both on the outside and on the inside as well as features. Hence, we would certainly recommend the same trim for the kind of features and exclusivity that it offers.

The establishment of each change begins by modifying the basics. The Engineers at Acura decided to give this thought chance and hence started by changing the motor inside the RDX. The 3.5L V6 motor was dropped in favor of a 2.0L Inline-4 Turbo which probably won't appear the best thought. However, the scaled-down motor does well in delivering higher power and torque figures than its predecessor. The numbers for power and torque are rated at a healthy 272hp and 280lbs.-ft. respectively.

One downside to this entire setup is the evidence of Turbo lag, which is minimal for the most part but prominent on some occasions. Transmission duties are performed by a 10 Speed Unit and can be changed using the paddle-shifters behind the steering wheels.

Models	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	BMW X3 sDrive 30i	Lincoln MKC
MSRP	$38,595	$40,195	$41,995	$34,990
Engine	2.0L i4 Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
Transmission	10 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	8 Speed automatic	6 Speed automatic
Horsepower	272 hp@ 6500rpm	250 hp@ 5700rpm	248 hp@ 5200rpm	245 hp@ 5500rpm
Torque	280 ft-lbs@ 1600rpm	258 ft-lbs@ 1500rpm	258 ft-lbs@ 1450rpm	275 ft-lbs@ 3000rpm

The Expensive rivals of the RDX fall short of the RDX's power and torque figures and include the Volvo and the BMW. The Lincoln, on the other hand, offers a similar amount of power and torque as the Volvo and the Bimmer but at a far lower price than the 3 SUVs here.

How fast is the Acura RDX?

The Turbocharged Heart of the 2020 Acura RDX, manages to match its adversaries as far as acceleration goes. The 6.4 second time to hit the 60MPH mark and 14.8-second mark for the quarter-mile run are respectable timings for an SUV of this size.

Models	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	BMW X3 sDrive 30i	Lincoln MKC
0-60 MPH	6.4 sec	6.5 sec	6.7 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter mile	14.8 sec	15.2	15.1 sec	15.3 sec
Engine	2.0L i4 Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded	2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	9.3	7.7	6.8	8.4

Speaking of rivals, not much separate the Volvo, Bimmer and the Lincoln apart. The RDX is the fastest of them all while the Volvo comes in second in the 60MPH dash. In the quarter-mile runs, the Acura again is the fastest of the lot with the BMW, coming in a close second.

What is the ride and handling of the Acura RDX like?

Ride and Handling is one of RDX's strong suits, the steering changes character with every mode. Comfort mode makes the steering light while the Sport and Sport Plus adds significant weight to the wheel. The A-spec package is more aggressive but creates significant understeer, on the other hand, the wide tires don't offer a lot of grips. However, Acura did a good job in containing boy roll. The SH-AWD system works its magic around the corners with a slingshot effect. The 10-speed automatic transmission keeps the engine in its sweet spot.

How well does the Acura RDX fare on the braking front?

Brakes on the RDX feels fine and firm, the pedal inspires confidence irrespective of your speed. The SUV remains stable on the highway, courtesy of Acura's stability control system. The front brakes are rated at 12.4 inches and the back remains at 12.2 inches. At, 3,783 pounds the RDX is quite a heavy SUV in the class. From the speed of 60 mph, the RDX halts to a standstill in an astonishing 116ft.

Model	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	BMW X3 sDrive 30i	Lincoln MKC
Brake Front (in.)	12.4	13.6	13	13.2
Brake Rear (in.)	12.2	12.6	13	12.4
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3783	4109	4034	3823
60-0 MPH (ft.)	116	114	127	119

Most Rivals of the Acura can't match its braking performance. The Bimmer surprisingly is the weakest performer of the lot and is then followed by the Lincoln. The Volvo is the best performer of them all and the Acura falls marginally short of the Volvo's figures.

Though it only drinks premium fuel the RDX is a sensible SUV when it comes to mileage. It won't demand many trips to the gas station and is equally efficient like any other SUV in the compact luxury segment. In the city, the RDX boasts its 22 mpg mileage while on the highway it makes it a decent 28 mpg which is fine. Overall you can expect a total mileage of 24 mpg from the 2020 Acura RDX.

Model	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	BMW X3 sDrive 30i	Lincoln MKC
MPG (city)	22	22	23	20
MPG (highway)	28	29	30	27
MPG (combined)	24	24	26	23
Range (miles) (city/highway)	376/479	414/545	396/516	314/424
Tank Capacity (gal)	17.1	18.8	17.2	15.7

The RDX's old sophisticated interior was exposed to radiation, what emerged was a genetically superior machine. We have dissected the mechanical DNA and complimented the suave exterior improvement now what's left is interior to judge. There is nothing you won't like inside the RDX, though you might get daunted by the million switches after giving a fine look everything is pretty simple to use. As far as quality goes there are a lot of soft touches and leather traces, it might lack the design quotient but it can be ironed out considering the good interior quality.

Model	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	BMW X3 sDrive 30i	Lincoln MKC
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.6/59.7/41.6	38.0/58.2/41.5	41.1/57.6/40.3	39.6/56.0/42.8
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.3/56.6/38.4	38.0/56.3/38.0	39.1/56.0/36.4	38.7/55.3/36.8

The cabin is spacious and cozy for all 5 passengers, the seats are not exactly hugging but it's comfortable for long rides. You will also have a good view of the road but assistance from the rearview camera feels pixelated and isn't that useful. The front cabin has a decent headroom of 39 inches and 41.6 inches worth of legroom. The second row seats are not bad either, you have similar headroom while the legroom is rated at 38.4 inches which won't create a problem either. You will have 2 standard options and 2 other optional with A-spec package.

What to expect on the Infotainment front?

Previously the RDX has a 5-inch infotainment screen which was fussy and confusing, this year the screen size was stretched to 10.2 inches. Despite the bigger screen the RDX still inherits the gene of complication. Below the screen, you will find a cluster of buttons that may distract the driver, also, it will take you months to have a natural understanding of using every feature. Then you have Apple CarPlay and plug-and-play connectivity standard on the RDX.

Creature comforts on offer?

For a Vehicle like the RDX, you'd expect it to have a lot of bells and whistles for pampering the occupants on the inside. We are happy to report that Acura is offering a lot of these as standard in the 2020 RDX as well. Here is a list of few of the creature comforts

• Front And Rear Door Pockets
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Electric Power Steering
• Rear View Camera
• Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
• Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
• Transmission, Cruise And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
• Interior Air Filtration
• Front, Side, And Rear View Camera
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Climate Control
• Turn Signal In Mirrors
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors

How much Luggage can I carry in the Acura RDX?

Acura figured out a way to fully use its cargo bay in a more efficient way. The 31 cubic feet is nice an competitive, even better than some of the competitors. The boot starts from a low height and is wide enough to swallow all your baggage for a long road trip. The second-row seats split, fold flat for bigger objects. The engineers manage to hide the spare tire under the carriage, the left out space now houses a special compartment divided into different sections to hide your stuff.

Inside the cabin, you have a lot of cubby holes for your cell phone, bottles, and all kinds of stuff. There is a center armrest and door pockets and other section to put your other belongings.

Model	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	BMW X3 sDrive 30i	Lincoln MKC
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	31.1	28.7	28.7	25.2

To some extent, yes. Acura was never a big style icon, in fact, its old grill was a bit of a compromise to the overall design. However, that ends this year with their new diamond-pentagon grill. The new grill debuted on some concepts by the brand. It is the first time, the design was actually built around the grill as it looks better than ever. Arguably the RDX is the second most good looking Acura in Honda's garage. It's long and wider than the previous iteration and dons a new character.

Model	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60 T5 Momentum	BMW X3 sDrive 30i	Lincoln MKC
Curb weight (lbs.)	3783	4109	4034	3823
Length(in)	186.8	184.6	185.9	179.2
Width(in)	74.8	78.7	74.4	73.4
Height(in)	65.7	65.3	66	65.2
Ground clearance (in)	8.2	8.5	8.0	7.8
Wheelbase (in)	108.3	112.8	112.8	105.9
Track width (in) F/R	64.2/64.7	65.1/65.2	63.8/64.4	62.4/62.5

Acura didn't just swap the engine with mild touches, they built the entire SUV like it's a new car. The RDX is a tad bigger than the old model as far as dimensions go, it might not have any visual effect but who doesn't love more space. The RDX is 186.8 inches long and 74.8 inches wide. The height is rated at 65.7 inches which is competitive but the ground clearance is much lower than other SUVs. The 8.2" of ground clearance on offer is at par with the others in the segment and comes in handy, while off-roading or wading through deep waters.

What are the RDX's exterior features?

Like the Interiors, Acura is offering a lot of features on the outside of the RDX. Some of the highlights of the 2020 RDX's exteriors include the following

• Power Moonroof with Tilt and Slide function
• Auto On/Off LED Headlights with Wiper Integration
• LED Fog lights, Brake lights, and CHMSL
• LED Turn Indicators on Exterior Powered and Heated Mirrors
• Rain-Sensing Windshield Wipers
• 20" Alloy Wheels

While the Acura hasn't been tested by IIHS and NHTSA, Acura has ensured that the RDX doesn't miss out on any safety feature. Acura bundles a bunch of safety features as standard on the 2020 RDX. You also get plenty of driving assistance features as standard on the 2020 RDX and the the list of those includes

• Multi view Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines
• Surround View Camera System
• Rear Camera Washer
• Collision Mitigating Braking System
• Adaptive Cruise Control with lane speed follow
• Front, Side, Side Curtain and Knee Airbags
• Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control and Motion adaptive steering
• 4 Wheel ABS with EBD and Brake Assist
• Hill Start Assist with TPMS and LATCH tethers
• Front and Rear Parking sensors with Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross traffic monitor

Acura RDX vs. Volvo XC60

Volvo makes some of the most safest cars on the planet and the XC 60 is no different either. The XC 60 comes loaded with futuristic tech, luxury laden interiors and offers spurry performance as well. However, the Acura is well equipped as well, has significantly better build the Volvo and feels a notch higher in terms of the premium feel on offer. What swings the ball in the Acura's favor even more is it's lower starting price and the Japanese reliability, associated with it. Out of the 2, we feel that the Acura marches ahead of the Volvo in almost most aspects.

Acura RDX vs. Lincoln MKC

Lincoln had no plans for any major change for the MKC, hence, the reason only the front grill was altered this year, the rest remained unchanged. Compared with the newly crafted Acura, the MKC seems a little dull. The major difference comes with the engine's power, Lincoln packs lesser horses than the RDX, results of which are clearly visible on its sloppy acceleration. Then comes the cabin which features some cheap plastics, on top of that there is low cargo volume and packed rear seats.

Though the RDX is a few dollars higher than the Lincoln MKC that explains the additional horsepower, cargo volume, and better interior quality.

The 2020 Acura RDX ushered a big change when it's face-lifted version came in 2019. In 2020, Acura is not fiddling with the same and is a good thing in many ways. The Acura RDX offers a ton of fun in terms of handling, is good to look at and feels premium on the inside. It tops out with a long list of standard driver assistance and Safety features and unmatched Japanese Reliability. If you are wiling to look past the Acura badge, the RDX will be a complete joy to own and live with on a daily basis, as compared to its other Expensive German adversaries.