We’ve always liked Acura. Honda’s luxury brand gives you the premium auto vibe of the expensive imports, yet manages to keep the pricing good sense of Honda. So, when Acura announced an updated 2025 RDX crossover/SUV we were thrilled at the chance to give it a go.
Aggressive and Bold
Like the TLX and MDX models we recently tested, Acura is taking the already sporty models and giving them an extra “bam!” of spiciness that’s really eye catching.
Your first glace is a good one – the front end receives a new frameless Diamond Pentagon grille and more aggressive grille mesh, surrounding a prominent Acura badge. With slim horizontal “Jewel Eye” LED headlamps, large side intakes, lower LED fog lights and lower grille, there’s no doubt this is a sporty model.
Sporty also describes the profile, with a swept-back A-pillar and fastback roofline creating a coupe-like line. While the fenders are less bulgey than some competitors, the RDX does serve up some meaty new Berlina Black, machine-finished 20-inch alloys that are unique to the A-Spec Advantage model. They really fill out the wheel wells, and lower black cladding and A-Spec badging add some additional spice.
The back leaves a lasting impression with horseshoe LED taillights, contrasting lower fascia with skid-plate design, and massive dual exhaust pipes poking out beneath. A perfect finishing touch was our tester’s handsome Urban Gray pearl paint which is a new color for 2025.
Smart and Stylish
Inside, like the outside, the changes are subtle, but add up to a measurable improvement.
Open the door, and RDX just smells great, thanks to new full-leather upholstery for the A-Spec Advance model, and it looks bright and purposeful in an eye-catching red tone that’s not only on the seats, but also on the lower dash, center console and door panels. Sporty.
Pop into those ultra-supportive front seats (heated and cooled!) and the sport motif continues with a fat, leather-wrapped D-shaped steering wheel, analog 8,000 rpm tach and 160-mph speedo flanking a digital driver’s display to pull up key information.
Acura tends to like to have plenty of buttons, but they are well grouped and logically laid out. There’s a nice upgrade in the info-tainment department with a new widescreen mode on the 10.2-inch screen for smartphone displays for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subtle but noticeable. Below that, Acura features controls including a dedicated volume knob (yay!), as well as a dedicated climate control system. We love that — no fishing through screens to make yourself comfortable.
Adding to that good vibe are enhanced ambient interior lighting with illuminated speaker grilles. Another small touch that makes the RDX feel upscale and welcoming every time you get in.
Unchanged is the pushbutton automatic transmission – still not our favorite, we like a shift lever, but maybe we’re just getting used to it, since it didn’t really bother us as much as before. On the other hand, the touchpad controls for the info-tainment system still feel fidgety and non-intuitive. Since Lexus seems to be going away from this type of system, we hope that Acura will follow suit.
Getting a big thumbs up, the center console gets a re-do, and we like the easily accessible cupholders, now parked next to the wireless smartphone charging pad. It’s attention to the little details that make the RDX such an inviting experience.
It’s also inviting for those in back, with a comfortable adult-friendly rear seat and plenty of cargo space behind that 2nd row. The rear seats also flip forward to create a large flat cargo floor, and there’s also a nice hidden storage area to keep valuable safe. Nice.
Meant to be Driven
With all the sporty goodness, we had high hopes for a great drive.
And we weren’t disappointed! Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder that kicks out a stout 272 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft of torque at just 1,600 rpm. This is an engine that sounds happy going about its work, and it pulls hard to the redline, especially in Sport mode.
Acceleration off the line is sparkling with a nice growl as you go higher up. With a standard 10-speed automatic transmission the right gear is always there. While the actual numbers are mid-pack with 0-60 in 6 seconds, it feels faster than that.
And with Snow, Comfort, Normal and Sport modes, it’s easy to dial in the kind of performance you want. Raising our tester’s game was Available Adaptive Damper System with three different damping profiles.
Handling is equally impressive, with steering that’s sharp and light, and Acura’s Super Handling All Wheel drive serving up to 70% of torque to the rear wheels, and 100% of that to the outside rear wheel for enhanced control.
You can really feel all the tech goodness as the RDX loves to swing into corners and has wonderful balance and stability, with plenty of grip to let you rocket out. The precise feedback makes this one of the most enjoyable SUVs to drive. Look out BMW!
Making even more of a good thing, our tester included the Adaptive Damper System, giving a smooth relaxed ride when you want it, and tightening up the motions and suspension when you want it. A win-win to be sure.
You can’t compete in the Premium Leagues without loads of safety tech, and all RDX models feature AcuraWatch, a comprehensive set including Blind Spot Information, Lane Keep Assist and Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Collision and Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor and Traffic Sign Recognition. All good.
Premium Ride, Premium Price?
Acura always appeals with a smart value proposition. The RDX starts at $44,700, not cheap, but it’s extremely well equipped with Panoramic moonroof, powerful turbo 4-cylinder engine, wireless connectivity AWD and AcuraWatch. Our tester was the top-of-the-line A-Spec Advance starting at $54,450. The only option was the handsome Urban Gray Pearl paint ($600). Add in $1,350 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $56,400.
Competitors would include the Volvo XC60 coming in at a tick over $60,000. The Acura is sportier, while the Volvo is more lux. There’s also a new BMW X3 for 2025, comparably equipped it’s also $59,025 – but we’re not sure the new styling will appeal to everyone. Choose accordingly. We’d also say those on a budget should consider the Mazda CX-50, you won’t get quite the name prestige, but at $45,000 loaded, it’s an attractive value.
Subtle upgrades inside and out, keep the stylish and thrilling to drive 2025 Acura RDX as one of our favorite premium SUVs!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.