2026 Acura RDX

Name: 2026 Acura RDX
Brand: Acura

Release Date: Summer or fall 2025

Estimated Price: Starting around $46,500

The 2026 Acura RDX's roomy interior, nimble handling, and ample set of standard features make it a smart and lively pick for a premium small SUV. Sub-par fuel economy and frustrating touchpad-based tech dull some of its appeal, but overall the RDX blends luxury and value like few others.Read full review

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2026 Acura RDX Review

Pros

Roomy cabin and cargo area
Stable handling around turns
Upscale cabin design and materials

Cons

Only one powertrain option
Unimpressive fuel economy
Touchpad controller can be difficult to use

What's new

No significant changes
Part of the third RDX generation introduced for 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

8/6/2025

The 2026 RDX is Acura's smallest and least expensive SUV. While it lacks the luxe trimmings and prestige of some competitors, it's an important player. The RDX delivers on its promise of Acura build quality and engaging handling without the over-the-top extravagance you'll find from some of its competition. Value is also key. Even a base RDX comes standard with a solid set of tech options, including smartphone integration and a full set of driver assist technologies.

Edmunds spotlight: The same old RDX seems likely for 2026

If the RDX goes into the 2026 model year without a major redesign — and we think that's likely — then it will be in its eighth year as essentially the same SUV. That's a long model cycle even by contemporary Acura standards. What might the eventual new RDX offer? We wouldn't be surprised to see a new hybrid powertrain as an option. That would address the primary gripe we have with the RDX, which is that it only has one engine and it gets poor fuel economy.

Competitors to consider

Primary rivals to the RDX include the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3. The Genesis GV70, thanks to its feature-rich interior, composed ride-and-handling balance, and reasonable price, is also very good. But the RDX's starting price undercuts all three of these competitors.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Keith Buglewicz

Good

8.0

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Acura RDX on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

7.7/10

How does the Acura RDX drive? The RDX feels powerful when you first hit the gas but trails off a bit once you're rolling. At the Edmunds test track, our RDX test vehicle accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. That's about the same as a Lexus NX 350 but a second slower than a Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The RDX's brakes feel strong even on mountain roads, and the light and responsive steering helps you feel connected to the road.

Acura's all-wheel-drive system is designed to route power to the wheels with the most traction. It's mostly invisible in its operation, which is a good thing, and it enhances handling by ensuring power goes to the ground where it's most useful. In A-Spec Advance trims like our test car, the shocks adjust their stiffness depending on the drive mode, varying between too soft Comfort, everyday Normal and firm-feeling Sport; we think most drivers will leave it in Normal most of the time and maybe switch to Comfort over rougher pavement. Acura makes most of its driver assist systems standard, and overall they work well, providing a good amount of assistance without being intrusive.

Comfort

7.9/10

How comfortable is the Acura RDX? The upgraded front seats in our RDX A-Spec Advance are as comfortable as they are stylish thanks to a multitude of adjustments that include lumbar, seat cushion length and side supports. The roomy rear seats have heated outboard positions, but only on the top two trim levels; we'd expect a luxury brand to make them more widely available. Fitting child seats is a snap thanks to easily accessed anchor and tether points, although a rear-facing seat might require a front passenger to scooch up.

At speed, the RDX stays mostly quiet, and when you hit the gas, the engine has a pleasantly aggressive sound. The physical buttons Acura uses for climate control and elsewhere are easier to use than the touch-sensitive controls in many competitors. The climate system also keeps the cabin comfy and integrates with the front-seat heaters and coolers. Unfortunately Acura also uses buttons to select gears; we'd much prefer a regular lever.

In-cabin tech

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The touchpad interface for the RDX ruins what is otherwise an excellent system. The screen is big, sharp, clear and fast. There are tons of features like Amazon integration, standard wireless smartphone integration, and a decent number of USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the ELS audio system on our A-Spec Advance test car is simply superb.

Unfortunately, using all that means interacting with the touchpad system. While the touchpad is conveniently placed, in our experience it's more difficult to use than a touchscreen, like the one Acura recently gave the MDX. At least there are physical controls for frequently used functions, like controlling volume and skipping songs.

Storage & cargo

8.3/10

How’s storage and cargo? Open the power cargo hatch and you're greeted with a large cargo space with a nice flat floor. The door height easily adjusts for different maximum heights, handy for shorter drivers, and there are a couple of compartments under the floor to hide valuable items. For larger items, the seatbacks fold quickly and easily thanks to release levers located in the cargo area.

In the cabin, front passengers have a big shelf under the console that's large enough for a purse, cupholders and a storage bin in the center console, and door pockets with small bottle holders. Rear passengers get cupholders only in the fold-down armrest, small bins in the doors and hard-paneled seatback pockets. The 1,500-pound tow rating trails the capabilities of competitors.

Value

8.3/10

Is the Acura RDX a good value? The RDX represents a good value in the premium small SUV category. Even base models come standard with a solid set of tech options, including smartphone integration and a full set of driver assist technologies. Move up the ladder and there are meaningful upgrades, such as enhanced audio systems and, on the A-Spec and above, adaptive dampers that make a real difference in how the RDX drives and feels. While it doesn't win in any particular category, its overall competence and competitive pricing make it a strong contender against more expensive European brands.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

MPG

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA says that the Acura RDX should get 23 mpg in combined driving, which is about average for the class. However, it's important to note that the RDX did quite a bit worse than that in our real-world testing. Our best tank of gas was 18.4 mpg, which is below even the RDX's city estimate of 21 mpg.

X factor

8/10

The RDX is fun enough to drive that you might find yourself pushing it harder than you expect around freeway interchanges or traveling mountain roads briskly enough to make your rear passengers green, and not with envy. While its responses aren't as sharp as what you'd get from a BMW or Audi, the fact that it costs notably less makes it feel like you're getting away with something.

Which RDX does Edmunds recommend?

Acura hasn't released official information on the 2026 RDX as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's RDX, the Technology package is the one to get. It's the best combination of features and luxury for the money, adding genuine leather seats, front and rear parking sensors, integrated navigation, classy machine-finished wheels, and an upgraded audio system.