2021 Acura RDX

History/Overview

The RDX is Acura's smallest crossover. Now in its third generation, launched in 2018, the RDX is coming into its third model year.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

Just three years old, Acura is not making any changes to the RDX for 2021. They did introduce a new trim, called the RDX PMC Edition that is hand-built at Acura's Performance Manufacturing Center and is painted in an orange borrowed from the NSX. All 30 have already been pre-sold.

Available Trims

Acura offers the RDX in base and Tech trim, as well as the sporty A-Spec. It also comes in Elite and Platinum Elite levels. All RDX models come with a 272 hp, 2.0L turbo-four with a 10-speed automatic and all-wheel drive.

Standard Features

The base RDX comes with 19-inch alloys, dual exhaust, and Jewel Eye LED headlights. It also has a panoramic roof and power tailgate. Inside are heated leatherette front seats and two-position seat memory as well as a 10.2-inch infotainment display with touchpad interface that has a nine-speaker stereo and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7.0-inch driver info screen. Dual-zone climate control is included as are 12-way power adjustable front seats.

Active safety equipment includes collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and road departure mitigation.

Technology adds navigation with voice recognition, blind spot information with rear cross traffic monitor, parking sensors, and a 12-speaker ELS audio system. It gets two rear USB ports, rain-sensing wipers and keyless access.

A-Spec is a sporting trim and comes with 20-inch alloys and special A-spec fascias front and rear along with unique interior trim. Inside are ventilated seats clad in Alcantara and leather and there is a heated steering wheel.

Elite has 19-inch wheels along with auto-dimming and power folding side mirrors along with a hands-free power tailgate. Inside, the rear seats are heated, as is the steering wheel, and the feats are trimmed in perforated leather.

Platinum Elite adds 16-way adjustable and ventilated front seats and 16-speaker audio as well as olive ash real wood trim, perforated seats with contrast stitching and piping, and rear seat climate control. It gains an adaptive suspension system and adaptive front lights as well as a rear camera washer and surround-viewer camera.

Key Options

Acura doesn't have any options for the 2021 RDX.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy for the RDX is rated at 11.0 L/100 km city and 8.6 highway for all trims other than A-Spec, with that one expected to get 11.3/9.1.

Competition

The RDX is in a crowded segment along with the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lexus NX, Cadillac XT4, Lincoln Corsair, and a number that is constantly growing.