Vehicle History Report
Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.
- • New Cars
2009 Acura RDX Full Review
Date Published: 4/15/08
Also in the 2009 Acura RDX Review:
5.
6.
Acura RDX Full Review
7.
8.
9.
2009 Acura RDX
Sneak Peek
The 2009 Acura RDX should see no major changes. This premium compact SUV seats five and has all-wheel drive. The sole powertrain teams a 240-hp 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Also standard are dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery with heated front seats, and a 6.5-inch dashboard screen that displays audio and climate information. A Technology Package, priced as a separate model, includes a wireless cell phone link and navigation system. Drive impressions based on 2008 report.
News
The RDX may be in line for a "clean diesel" engine that Honda plans for U.S. sale. Actually, Honda is developing both 4-cylinder and V6 diesels for a variety of vehicles in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions across its entire fleet. Honda hasn't yet said which, if any, diesel the RDX might get, but we'd bet on the 4-cylinder unit, possibly with a turbocharger.
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2009 Acura RDX Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| All-wheel drive | Interior materials |
| Handling/roadholding | Steering feel |
| Rear-seat comfort | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Acceleration isn't neck snapping but is more than adequate in most situations, especially once the turbo kicks in. A test RDX did 6.8 sec 0-60 mph. Throttle response suffers from some turbo lag. Maximum towing capacity is 1500 lb.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 6 | 5.5 |
Acceleration isn't neck snapping but is more than adequate in most situations, especially once the turbo kicks in. A test RDX did 6.8 sec 0-60 mph. Throttle response suffers from some turbo lag. Maximum towing capacity is 1500 lb.
Fuel Economy
In Consumer Guide testing, RDX models averaged 21.2 mpg in mostly highway driving and 14.3-17.6 with more city work. Acura recommends premium-grade fuel.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4.5 |
In Consumer Guide testing, RDX models averaged 21.2 mpg in mostly highway driving and 14.3-17.6 with more city work. Acura recommends premium-grade fuel.
Ride Quality
Ride quality is firmer than expected overall, with some nervous jiggle and bucking on cracked or patchy road surfaces.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 4 | 5 |
Ride quality is firmer than expected overall, with some nervous jiggle and bucking on cracked or patchy road surfaces.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Firm-ride suspension makes for an agile little SUV. Standard AWD furnishes secure grip on wet or dry surfaces. Body lean is modest in fast turns. Steering has solid road feel, but some testers find effort too heavy at low speeds. RDX's turning circle is rather wide, too. The brakes provide good stopping control, but pedal action is slightly spongy.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 |
Firm-ride suspension makes for an agile little SUV. Standard AWD furnishes secure grip on wet or dry surfaces. Body lean is modest in fast turns. Steering has solid road feel, but some testers find effort too heavy at low speeds. RDX's turning circle is rather wide, too. The brakes provide good stopping control, but pedal action is slightly spongy.
Quietness
Some testers notice turbo whine during acceleration, while others cite elevated engine note at idle. Wind rush is not an issue. The tires are noisy even on smooth asphalt.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 |
Some testers notice turbo whine during acceleration, while others cite elevated engine note at idle. Wind rush is not an issue. The tires are noisy even on smooth asphalt.
Controls
We think the dashboard puts style over function. Most controls are logical and handy, but audio/climate settings are undersized readouts in a distant dashtop slit. Some audio-control markings are a bit small, too. Instruments are large and clear. A big central knob and dashboard screen set navigation, audio, and other functions. The screen can be hard to read by day, and some operations distract with many steps, though included voice control simplifies some tasks.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5.5 |
We think the dashboard puts style over function. Most controls are logical and handy, but audio/climate settings are undersized readouts in a distant dashtop slit. Some audio-control markings are a bit small, too. Instruments are large and clear. A big central knob and dashboard screen set navigation, audio, and other functions. The screen can be hard to read by day, and some operations distract with many steps, though included voice control simplifies some tasks.
Details
Cabin decor is a trendy mix of textures and shapes. Assembly quality is very good. However, the interior makes liberal use of cheap-looking, hard plastic surfaces, which is disappointing for both an Acura and for this price level.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 5 | 6 |
Cabin decor is a trendy mix of textures and shapes. Assembly quality is very good. However, the interior makes liberal use of cheap-looking, hard plastic surfaces, which is disappointing for both an Acura and for this price level.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
RDX has a standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel and power driver seat, but some tall testers still couldn't get comfortably settled. Headroom and legroom is sufficient for most adults. Visibility is slightly pinched to the right-rear and dead-astern.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.5 |
RDX has a standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel and power driver seat, but some tall testers still couldn't get comfortably settled. Headroom and legroom is sufficient for most adults. Visibility is slightly pinched to the right-rear and dead-astern.
Room/Comfort (rear)
A slightly reclined seatback angle allows tall riders to sit without their heads touching sunroof housing. The bench is quite firm. Legroom and knee space is tight with front seats well aft. Slightly narrow doorways squeeze entry and exit.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 |
A slightly reclined seatback angle allows tall riders to sit without their heads touching sunroof housing. The bench is quite firm. Legroom and knee space is tight with front seats well aft. Slightly narrow doorways squeeze entry and exit.
Cargo Room
Good room behind rear seats. Rear seatbacks split 60/40 and fold without removing headrests to create a nearly flat load floor. The center console is a handy, two-tier design big enough for a moderately sized laptop or briefcase. Large door pockets and clever door armrest bins offer plenty of small-item storage.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 |
Good room behind rear seats. Rear seatbacks split 60/40 and fold without removing headrests to create a nearly flat load floor. The center console is a handy, two-tier design big enough for a moderately sized laptop or briefcase. Large door pockets and clever door armrest bins offer plenty of small-item storage.
Value within Class
RDX aims to be as sporty and upscale as Acura's TSX compact sedan, which it is. But the choice of a turbo 4-cylinder engine is debatable for a small SUV, especially one that starts at more than $33,000. Acura's record for reliability and resale strength help offset premium pricing, but RDX comes across as more a marketing tactic than a strong value, even among premium compact SUVs.
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5.5 |
RDX aims to be as sporty and upscale as Acura's TSX compact sedan, which it is. But the choice of a turbo 4-cylinder engine is debatable for a small SUV, especially one that starts at more than $33,000. Acura's record for reliability and resale strength help offset premium pricing, but RDX comes across as more a marketing tactic than a strong value, even among premium compact SUVs.
Total Score
| Base w/Tech. Pkg. | Class Average |
| 61 | 63.5 |
Scores for all Premium Compact Sport-utility Vehicles
| Low Score | 61 | |
| Average Score | 63 | |
| High Score | 66 |
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2009 Acura RDX Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 03/12/2008
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national
manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings
may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
Optional Equipment
No factory options.
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
2009 Acura RDX Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Acura RDX 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 104.3 |
| Overall Length, in. | 180.7 |
| Overall Width, in. | 73.6 |
| Overall Height, in. | 65.2 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3924 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 60.6 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.0 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.7 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.8 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.3 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 37.7 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| Turbocharged dohc I4 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 2.3 /140 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 240 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 260 @ 4500 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 5-speed automatic | 19/23 |
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft;
dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders;
V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions
per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--"
= measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System |
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags |
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | Acura RDX 4-door wagon |
Coming soon.
Please check back for more information and Consumer Guide's full review.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's
worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to
rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury:
5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact
crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%;
1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover
when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%;
2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Built in:
USA
Drivewheels:
all-wheel drive
Locate a Dealer
Get a FREE Price Quote:
Also in the 2009 Acura RDX Review:
5.
6.
Acura RDX Full Review
7.
8.
9.
Car Buying Resources
Vehicle History Report
Locate a Dealer
Sell Your Car
Powered by:
-
MAKE -
CATEGORY
Subcompact Car
Compact Car
Midsize Car
Large Car
Premium Midsize Car
Premium Large Car
Sporty/performance Car
Premium Sporty/performance Car
Minivan
Full-size Van
Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Compact Pickup Truck
Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicle
Premium Compact Sport-utility Vehicle
Large Pickup Truck
Premium Compact Car
Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicle
Exotic Car
