Key Takeaways
- The Acura RDX is incredibly reliable and significantly more reliable than the average vehicle.
- The RDX has historically been associated with the CR-V but the two vehicles have been somewhat different enough that we would not call them the same vehicle.
- The RDX and MDX offer similar features, and the main difference between the two is their price point and seating capacity.
- There are only three generations and each offers an increase in technology and different powertrains, we hope a hybrid will be introduced eventually.
How reliable is Acura RDX? Does Acura RDX have any issues?
The Acura RDX is much more reliable than the average vehicle, Repair Pal rates the Acura RDX as 4.5 out 5 for reliability. This would mean the RDX is significantly more reliable than your average vehicle and has been found by a lot of consumers to be very reliable. The Acura RDX does not have any significant issues over the course of its lifetime, various model years can have their respective issues as all vehicles have their own respective issues.
The RDX is better than most vehicles as Repair pal also says that if you have an issue, there is a 6% chance the issue may be severe while the average for luxury sedans is 10% that any given repair or issue may be severe. That means for every 15 repairs, you may have 1 repair that is a more severe issue.
Is the RDX the same as the Honda CRV?
The RDX was originally based off of the Honda CR-V but in 2019 the RDX became more of a separate entity as it no longer shares the same platform as the CRV. This can be seen by the change in dimensions since 2019, the CR-V offers more trunk space but less leg room, while the RDX offers more leg room and less trunk space. While recent years are different, prior generations of the CR-V and the RDX can have very similar sizing, but offer very different applications.
The CR-V has always been designed as a more rugged compact SUV since its conception and until recently always was one of the more rugged compact SUVs. The RDX has always been more of an on-road comfortable, sporty SUV, and in more recent model years the CR-V has begun to look more, and act more, like the RDX. While the vehicles may seem fairly similar, we definitely think they are more separate than other mainstream vehicles and their luxury counterparts.
Which car is better: Acura MDX or RDX?
Both the Acura MDX and the RDX are great SUVs and simply offer different sizing options. The Acura RDX is one of the most reliable luxury SUVs and is a compact SUV that offers seating for 5. The RDX generally has a slightly better gas mileage but it can sometimes just be a 2 mpg difference. The MDX is a larger SUV that features sportier options and seating for 7.
The biggest difference between the two vehicles is size. The RDX is designed as a more of a luxury daily driver that has sport functions, while the MDX does the exact same job but has the capacity to carry a family if necessary. Generally the MDX is more expensive than the RDX as well due to its increased size and capacity.
What year of the Acura RDX is a good year?
The Acura RDX has been around since 2007 and has seen only three generations, all of which have different features that might push you one way or the other.
The first generation was sold as a 2007 model year vehicle, and was made to offer a smaller alternative to the MDX vehicle and a luxury version of the CR-V. This generation came with a 2.3 liter 4 cylinder engine and could get up to 240 horsepower. Beyond that it mostly offered a slightly sportier version of the Honda CR-V.
The second generation of the RDX was sold as a 2013 model year and upgraded the base engine to a 3.5 liter V6 and had improved gas mileage getting 23 mpg combined over 20 mpg combined on the previous generation. The second generation also grew a little bit and offered slightly more leg room, but was a little longer to make room for the larger engine as well.
The third generation of the RDX was introduced in 2019, and changed up the engine again and went back to a 4 cylinder, this offers improved gas mileage getting up to 28 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg in town and 272 horsepower. An AWD is available and drops the mpg by 1 for each figure respectively.