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Although the Acura RDX was originally a spin-off of the Honda CRV, it has developed a personality of its own over years of development. With a luxurious interior, five trim levels, and an all-wheel drive option on three trims and standard on two, the RDX turned the corner toward luxury long ago. As a result, the Acura RDX has become a top contender for compact luxury crossovers.
Features of the Acura RDX crossover
Available in five trim levels, with one power option, two with all-wheel drive standard, and as an option on the lower levels, the Acura RDX gives you options. The price range of the luxury compact SUV is from $40,600 for the base RDX, with front-wheel drive. The top-level A-Spec® Advance has an MSRP of $52,600, and all-wheel drive is standard.
The engine used to power all trim levels of the RDX is a turbocharged, DOHC VTEC® 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 272 horsepower. This power is sent to the front wheels via a 10-speed transmission on the lower three trim models. On the two upper levels, Acura’s SH-AWD® system is standard equipment and is available as an option on the lower trim levels.
Unique to Acura, the SH-AWD® system (Super handling all-wheel-drive™) enhances fuel mileage, performance, and handling on dry and wet road surfaces. The estimated fuel mileage of the two-wheel drive models is 22 city/ 28 highway and 24 combined miles per gallon.
Towing capacity is 1500 pounds, when properly equipped, across all trim levels. The zero to 60 miles per hour run takes the RDX 6.7 seconds.
Three crossovers most similar to the Acura RDX
There are many SUVs to choose from in today’s market, and sorting them out can be a challenge to get the best one for you.
1. Acura MDX
The most similar to any car is one of its siblings, and the Acura is not different. The MDX is slightly larger than the Acura RDX and gets its power from a 3.5L V6 that produces 290 horsepower. In addition, all MDXs are equipped with a third-row seat that gives them the capacity to carry seven passengers.
When you opt for the turbocharged 3.0L V6 of the two upper trim levels, the horsepower increases to 355, and all-wheel drive is standard. The zero to 60 times for the base engine MDX is 6.3 seconds, and 5.4 seconds for the more powerful model.
Available in five trim levels, with an MSRP that begins at $48,000 for the base Acura MDX. The Type S Advance, with SH-AWD®, and the turbo V-6, have a base MSRP of $72,050, which sends the price of this Acura a bit higher than the RDX.
The fuel mileage of the base model is 19 city/26 highway and 22 combined miles per gallon, which is not far from the numbers of the RDX. However, the towing capacity of a properly equipped MDX is 3500 pounds for front-wheel drive models. Models equipped with all-wheel drive raise the towing capacity to 5,000 pounds, giving the MDX more utility than its smaller rival.
2. 2023 BMW X2 sports activity coupe
Similar to the Acura RDX in size and price, the BMW X2 is called a sports activity coupe. However, this one is a four-door hatchback configuration, unlike a traditional coupe. Priced closely to the Acura, the BMW X2 has a base MSRP of $36,600 for the X2 sDrive28i, front-wheel drive.
When you opt for the X2 xDrive28i, you get an all-wheel drive system for better handling and stability. The base MSRP of the X2 xDrive28i is $38,600.
Power for the X2 is provided by a 2.0L BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder that produces 228 horsepower. This power will scoot the X2 from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds. The estimated fuel mileage is 24 city and 32 highway miles per gallon. The towing capacity of the BMW X2 is 3700 to 3800 pounds when equipped with trailer brakes.
3. Cadillac XT5
The luxury facet the Acura RDX exudes is mirrored in the Cadillac XT5. Available in three trim levels, the base MSRP is $43,995. The highest of the three trim levels is the XT5 Sport, which has a base MSRP of $58,315. What’s the difference? A few horsepowers more and better-performing suspension take the luxury of the Cadillac XT5 and give it a little swagger.
The base XT5 Luxury and Premium Luxury derive their power from a Turbo 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that produces 235 horsepower. In addition, the Premium Luxury is available with the standard engine of the XT5 Sport, a 3.6L V6 that produces 310 horsepower.
All trim levels are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, whether powered by a 4-cylinder or the V6. The fuel mileage of the base XT5 is 22 city/ 29 highway and 24 combined miles per gallon. Towing capacity, when properly equipped, is 1000 pounds.
Other crossovers similar to the Acura RDX
There are many more crossovers that are similar to the Acura RDX. With some, you get more bang for your buck; for others, the cost of entry is higher for similar features.
4. Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Offering Italian flair in a compact SUV, Alfa Romeo goes about things a bit differently when building their luxury crossovers. The coachwork of the Stelvio is pure Alfa, and so is the attention to performance.
Available in four trim levels, the base Stelvio Sprint RWD has a base MSRP of $45,550 and is the only two-wheel drive model. At the top end is the Stelvio Quadrifoglio AWD with a base MSRP of $86,850.
Power for the lower three trim levels comes from a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder that produces 280 horsepower. With this power, the Stelvio can make the run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.67 seconds.
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is equipped with a 2.9L twin-turbo V6 that produces 505 horsepower that gives a zero to 60 miles per hour time of 4.56 seconds. In addition, the towing capacity of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is 3000 pounds when properly equipped.
5. Buick Enclave
A contender since 2007, the Buick Enclave adds a layer of luxury with the top-of-the-line Avenir trim. Although all three trim levels of the Enclave are similar to the Acura RDX, the Enclave Avenir trimmed model is most similar to the Acura RDX.
The base Enclave Essence has a starting MSRP of $44,685. The Enclave Aviner, however, has an entry MSRP of $56,995. Adding all-wheel drive to any trim level will increase the price of your Enclave by about $2000.
All trim levels of the Buick Enclave are equipped with a 3.6L V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower. The fuel mileage of this crossover is 18 city/ 26 highway and 21 combined miles per gallon. In addition, all trim level models are available with all-wheel drive, which drops fuel mileage slightly.
The time for the Enclave to run from zero to 60 miles per hour takes ?? seconds. The towing capacity of the Enclave is 5000 pounds.
6. Lincoln Corsair
The Lincoln Corsair has a different persona than the RDX. Even though they are both small luxury crossovers, the Lincoln seems to get the luxury part better than the Acura. The base MSRP of the Corsair Standard is $36,580. On the top end, the Grand Touring, a hybrid, has a starting MSRP of $51,810.
The Corsair Standard and Reserve power come from a turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 250 horsepower. This model is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, as is the Reserve trim.
Corsair Standard and Reserve have the option of a turbocharged 2.3L inline 4-cylinder that produces 295 horsepower. It drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission for both engines.
The top model Corsair, the Grand Touring, gets its power from a 2.5L Atkinson inline 4-cylinder hybrid engine that produces 266 horsepower. Using a continually variable transmission, power is sent to all four wheels. A plug-in hybrid, the Corsair GT returns 33 miles per gallon and an MPGe of 78.
The zero to 60 times of the Corsair when equipped with the 2.0L engine is 7.3 seconds. The towing capacity is 2000 pounds, placing it about mid-pack of the cars on this list.
7. Genesis GV70
There is only one, Genesis GV70. Fortunately, it is available in two trim levels, the 2.5T AWD and the 3.5T AWD. Both are similar to the Acura RDX, but the 3.5 has more power, uses more fuel, and is more fun than its lesser-powered equal.
The Genesis GV70 2.5T has a base MSRP of $42,900. Its power comes from a turbocharged 2.5L inline 4-cylinder and produces 300 horsepower. The estimated fuel mileage of this model is 22 city/ 28 highway and 24 combined miles per gallon. The zero to 60 times of the 2.5T is 6.0 seconds, flat.
The more powerful Genesis GV70 3.5T is powered by a 3.5L Twin Turbo V6 that produces 375 horsepower. The fuel mileage of 3.5T is 19 city/ 24 highway and 21 combined miles per gallon. However, the GV70 3.5T can make the run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds, outgunning all but the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio AWD.
The towing capacity of the Genesis GV70 is 3500 pounds when properly equipped.
8. BMW X3
The X2 is not the only BMW similar to the Acura RDX. The BMW X3, another of their Sports Activity Vehicles®, has features similar to the Acura. The two base levels are the BMW X3 sDrive30i which has a base MSRP of $45,400 and is rear-wheel drive.
When wearing its xDrive30i livery, the X3 uses the same TwinPower Turbo 2.0L inline 248 horsepower four-cylinder as the sDrive30i. However, it gets all-wheel drive, too. The xDrive30i has a base MSRP of $47,400.
For the rear-wheel drive model, the fuel mileage for the X3 is 21 city /29 highway and 25 combined miles per gallon. The run from zero to 60 takes 6.0 seconds flat, similar to the other crossovers on the list. Towing capacity for this luxury crossover is 4,400 pounds.
9. Infiniti QX50
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With nine trim levels, the price of the Infinite QX50 ranges from $39,150 for the QX50 Pure to $57,100 for the QX50 Autograph AWD. Power for the Infiniti QX50 is provided by a Turbo 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 268 horsepower.
All Infiniti QX50s are front-wheel drives with all-wheel drive as an option on every trim level. The estimated fuel mileage of the Infiniti QX 50 is 23 city/ 29 highway and 26 combined miles per gallon.
The zero to sixty times of the QX50 is 6.4 seconds. When properly equipped, the Infiniti QX50 can tow up to 3,000 pounds.
10. Land Rover Discovery Sport
Available in four trim levels and two drivetrains, the Land Rover Discovery Sport has a sporty flair. The base level Discovery Sport S has a starting MSRP of $44,600. It is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 246 horsepower. The run from zero to 60 in the Discovery Sport takes 7.3 seconds.
The Discovery Sport SE uses the same power as the base model. However, it has the option of a third-row seat that will expand its capacity to seven passengers.
The top model in the Land Rover Discovery line is the R-Dynamic SE, which has a starting MSRP of $50,000. It uses the same powerplant but tweaks the suspension for better handling.
The Land Rover Discovery line is the R-Dynamic SE that also turns the same zero to 60 track times. However, it offers much more than the base model. All trim levels can tow up to 4409 pounds when properly equipped.
11. Mercedes Benz GLC 300
The GLC 300 is available in two trim levels. The GLC 300 SUV has a base MSRP of $43,850 and is a rear-wheel drive SUV. The estimated fuel mileage for this model is 22 city and 27 highway miles per gallon. In addition, it has the power to run from zero to 60 miles per hour in 6.3 seconds.
The Mercedes GLC 300 4Matic uses the same turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 255 horsepower as the GLC 300 SUV. What is different is the all-wheel drive system of the 300 4Matic.
Interestingly, the all-wheel drive GLC 300 4Matic returns a zero to 60 time of 6.1 seconds, which is lower than the two-wheel drive model. The starting MSRP of the GLC 300 4Matic is $45,850, which is well in line with the other crossovers on this list.
The towing capacity of the Mercedes GLC 300 models is 3,500 pounds.
12. Subaru Ascent
With a base price of $32,795, the Subaru Ascent deserves a long look compared to the similar crossovers to the Acura RDX. However, with seven trim levels and seven or eight passenger seating from the base model up, the Subaru Ascent is a player in this segment of crossovers.
All models are powered by a Subaru 2.4L turbocharged Boxer 4-cylinder that produces 260 horsepower. The estimated fuel mileage is 21 city and 27 highway miles per gallon. Power goes to all four Ascent wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a feature on all models of the Subaru.
Like Acura’s, Subarus have a reputation as dependable vehicles and have an excellent resale value. These are attributes that not every car on this list can boast about. Towing capacity on the Subaru Ascent ranges to 5,000 pounds and is based on the trim level.
13. Volvo XC60
While BMW calls their crossovers Sports Activity Vehicles®, Volvo claims that the XC60 is smart because it is built to interface with Google. Available in three trim levels, the entry-level XC60 Core has a starting MSRP of $44,545. The top-level XC60 Ultimate has a starting MSRP of $54,595.
All trim levels, except the hybrid models, are driven by a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder that produces 247 horsepower when equipped with front-wheel drive. However, the XC 60 B6 all-wheel drive with Bright Theme has a few more horsepowers wrung from the engine. In this trim, the 2.0L four puts out 295 horsepower.
The XC60 Core has an estimated 23 city/ 30 highway fuel mileage and 26 combined miles per gallon. The towing capacity of the Volvo XC60 is 3,500 pounds, and many of its features a very similar to the Acura RDX, a compact luxury crossover.