The Acura RDX is the premium Japanese brand’s best-selling vehicle. But as 2025 rolls in, does this model still have enough to entice customers or is it in need of a major update?
Performance
Engine – The powertrain of the 2025 Acura RDX A-Spec remains unchanged. The 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque (203 kW & 380 Nm). The peak torque is reached at a low 1,600 rpms and is sustained until the rpms reach 4,500. That means that the engine doesn’t feel as though it’s straining to get the 1,844 kg (4,065 lbs) body up to speed. However, there are a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, it’s not a very good sounding engine. Secondly, the RDX is not offered with any other powertrain. There is no hybrid or more powerful engine option with the RDX. The 2.0L engine is all that you get regardless of trim level. This SUV is in need of a hybrid option and a Type-S variant seeing as how every other Acura model has the sporty trim level.
Fuel Economy – The 2025 Acura RDX A-Spec is rated for 11.3 L/100km (20.8 mpg) in a city and 9.1 L/100km (25.8 mpg) on a highway. The highway fuel economy rating is easy to achieve but the city rating is a different story. In reality, you’ll probably be getting closer to 13 L/100km. But because I drove mostly on highways, I averaged just 10.9 L/100km (21.6 MPG) during my time with this car this year. In previous years, I averaged around 11.5 L/100km (20.5 MPG) with mostly city driving.
Transmission – The 2.0L engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This is a really smooth shifting transmission, even if the drive mode is in Sport & the transmission is in Sport, gear changes are seamless. Taking over controls with the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters is a pretty enjoyable experience. There is a slight delay from the time you pull on a paddle to the time the transmission shifts but there are worse culprits out there.
Braking – Stopping the RDX is an easy task thanks to the firm feeling brake pedal. The brakes may feel a bit grabby to some when they’re cold and they may squeal a bit but those things go away after a couple of brake applications & the discs warm up.
Handling – Around corners is where the 2025 Acura RDX shines a bit above its competitors. Standard for the Canadian market is Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD). This system can not only transfer power between the front and rear wheels but also from side to side. It uses real torque vectoring – not by applying brakes – to better rotate the SUV when driving around corners.
The steering provides good feedback to the driver and changes depending on the drive modes. In normal everyday driving, it is light for easy maneuverability. Switch to Sport mode and it becomes heavier to provide a bit more feedback to the driver.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – Although this is a sporty oriented SUV, it still retains a luxurious and comfortable ride. On highways it feels stable while on city streets, it maintains its composure over potholes and cracked pavement. The front seats are a bit more plush than those found in the Mercedes GLC for example and it’s the same story in the rear seats.
Interior Space – The cabin of the Acura RDX is spacious in certain dimensions but not quite so in others. There is a bit less headroom than in the X3 or GLC 300 but the RDX has more leg room for both front and rear occupants than the German rivals. Cargo capacity in the trunk is also larger than that of the German rivals at 835 L (29.5 cu-ft) with the rear seats up and 1,668 L (58.9 cu-ft) with the rear seats folded.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The RDX has a solid build feel. Nothing in the cabin rattles or squeaks when driving over rougher roads. Noises from the outside are relatively well subdued but engine noise can become intrusive once you take the rpms past 2,500. Unfortunately this is probably one of the worst sounding engines among its competitors.
For the mid-cycle update back in 2022, the RDX received a new front fender liner for reduced road noises and Active Sound Control (ASC) system that has been enhanced to further cancel exterior sounds from intruding into the cabin.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – Unlike the last time I reviewed the RDX, Acura has re-introduced a base trim of this SUV. It now starts at $52,800 CAD ($44,700 USD) with the A-Spec costing $56,630 CAD ($50,300 USD) and the Platinum Elite A-Spec costing $61,630 CAD ($54,450 USD).
Gadgets – This trim of the RDX has every feature in the Acura catalog. Ultrasuede & leather upholstery, heated & ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, a head-up display with large and clear lettering, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, surround view cameras, wireless phone charging and much more.
Another area that is in need of an update is the infotainment system. The RDX still relies on the touchpad on the center console to control the infotainment system. When using the native system, it’s not too bad. You build up muscle memory. The issue arises when using wireless CarPlay or wireless Android Auto. Those apps are designed to work with a touchscreen, not a touchpad. So it quickly gets very frustrating to use those apps with constant swiping of the touchpad. The 2025 MDX received an updated version of this infotainment system along with a touchscreen and the Integra, as well as the forthcoming ADX, have touchscreens as well.
Interior Design – The design of the cabin exudes sportiness and modernism from the Ultrasuede lined seats to the floating center console. It looks great and for the most part, every button and switch is well organized. There’s also ambient lighting throughout the cabin that can be changed from a few different colors and combinations.
Exterior Design – The RDX was given a mid-cycle update for 2022 which included a revised bumper design. It made it more in-line with its bigger brother, the MDX. For 2025, the RDX received a new grille design. The rear of the SUV is not as dramatic with just a few minor changes to the bumper.
Safety – The 2025 Acura RDX comes equipped with nearly all available safety and driver aids. Forward collision alert, lane keep, blind spot sensors, and so on are all standard features on each and every Acura RDX. The only options are the surround view cameras which are only available on the Platinum Elite A-Spec trim level.
Warranty – The 2025 Acura RDX has a 4 year / 80,000 km new vehicle warranty and a 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. This powertrain warranty is 6 years & 70,000 miles in the United States. For more information on Acura Canadian warranty, click here. For USA warranty information, click here.
Conclusion – The 2025 Acura RDX remains as a fun-to-drive, well-equipped, and well priced premium SUV. But it is in need of a few key changes to keep it with the times, namely a hybrid powertrain, a Type-S trim, and a touchscreen.
Thank you to Acura Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Acura.ca
2025 Acura RDX A-Spec Gallery
