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Winning automotive races under grueling conditions is one thing. But what about bringing that racing spirit to cars and SUVs you can buy right now? Acura is one of only a few automakers who do just that.

Indeed, Acura pushes its International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) championship race cars to the limits of engineering and endurance. From there Acura takes what it learns at the track and uses it to help boost the engagement and exhilaration of its road cars.

There is more to building a credible premium performance vehicle than just competing and winning, though. From design and materials to comfort and technology, a modern Acura hits every mark.

You'll find this in every model Acura sells. It starts with its two SUVs, the compact crossover RDX and the three-row MDX. They are among Edmunds experts' top-rated models in their respective classes. Acura also sells its gateway ILX and midsize TLX sport sedans and, of course, its vaunted NSX mid-engine all-wheel-drive supercar.

Each model reflects Acura's triumphant performance on the track in its own way, especially when equipped with race-inspired A-Spec trim. Below is more detailed information about the ILX, TLX, RDX and MDX.

2020 Acura RDX

According to Edmunds, the RDX is one of the top-ranked compact performance SUVs available today. In addition to having the advantages inherent in any Acura, the RDX is luxuriously spacious, features a comfortable and high-quality interior, and supplies thrilling driving dynamics.

When the original RDX first went on sale well over a decade ago, it had a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system. You can also get them in the latest iteration of the SUV. The force-fed 2.0-liter four-cylinder whips up 272 horsepower¹, which is plenty to pleasantly push you deep into your seat when accelerating.

This is a properly quick compact performance SUV. But the fun doesn't fizzle at the end of a straight line. Especially when fitted with the available SH-AWD system, the RDX is sporty and planted. Hit up some tight turns and the RDX is sure to put a smile on your face.

There is premium seating for up to five people. Alternately, you can fold the rear seats down to open up plenty of space for luggage and cargo. Up front you'll find Acura's newest control layout. There's a 10.2-inch HD dual-zone single-display audio and connectivity system that you can access using a True Touchpad Interface™. A large Dynamic mode control knob allows you to adjust the RDX's demeanor with four distinct drive modes.

Standard features include Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration, natural voice recognition capability, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and the AcuraWatch™ advanced safety and driver assistance technology. The included Collision Mitigation Braking System, combined with robust engineering, helps the RDX earn a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).²

Like the TLX and MDX, the RDX offers optional Technology, A-Spec and Advance trim packages that bring additional features. The A-Spec is the sportiest of the bunch and comes with bigger wheels and special blacked-out trim.

Read more about the 2020 RDX

2020 Acura MDX

When life requires more space or you simply want maximum driving enjoyment combined with indulgent luxury, the 2020 Acura MDX three-row SUV supplies plenty of utility without sacrificing sportiness.

One of the highest-rated vehicles in its class according to Edmunds, the Acura MDX comes with a 290-horsepower³ V6 engine. Mash the gas and you'll get quick and satisfying acceleration as well as a high-revving soundtrack that would make a race car proud.

The MDX can also be equipped with an available torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. Called Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), it can vary power output to the rear wheels to help the MDX take on corners and accelerate down the next straightaway with remarkable haste.

Traffic-clogged commutes, hurried morning school drop-offs, and weekends spent pursuing life's pleasures are no problem for the MDX. Inside you'll find comfortable seating and plenty of room for family, friends and their things. You can seat up to seven people or carry up to an impressive 90.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity⁴, which easily accommodates everything from mountain bikes to provisions for a campsite.

Choosing a new MDX is easy. Several trims equip the MDX with desirable features, and an optional wide-screen rear entertainment system delights passengers. Multiple color combinations are available, including the limited-production MDX PMC Edition (Performance Manufacturing Center). Hand-built alongside the NSX sports car, this highly desired version of the MDX comes fully equipped and comes in a special Valencia Red Pearl paint that Acura previously reserved exclusively for the NSX.

No matter which Acura MDX you choose, it has a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score safety rating from the NHTSA⁵ and earns top crash prevention and crash protection ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).²

AcuraWatch is standard in every MDX, a collection of advanced safety and driver assistance technology that can even help avoid a frontal collision in the first place. If one happens, an active subscription to AcuraLink can equip the MDX with emergency calling and automatic collision notification capabilities.

Whether the mission is work or play, in all sorts of weather, the capable Acura MDX is ready to inject adrenaline and a premium experience into the drive.

Read more about the 2020 MDX

2020 Acura TLX

Acura positions the TLX to provide maximum value in a premium car, making this sport sedan a smart pick by Edmunds' standards. Compare pricing and you'll find the TLX is typically thousands of dollars less than European luxury sedans.

The TLX comes with a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Smooth and sophisticated, this advanced engine generates 206 horsepower⁶. A quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters makes maximum use of the power, delivering it to the TLX's front wheels.

For more motivational force, you can get the TLX with a 290-horsepower³ 3.5-liter V6. It comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission and provides quick acceleration and a pleasing snarl when you hit the gas.

Acura's Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) feature is standard. It independently adjusts the toe angle of the rear wheels to provide four-wheel steering to enhance the TLX's responsiveness on your favorite twisty road. Acura also offers its torque-vectoring Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system with the TLX V6 model. So equipped, the TLX provides confidence in wet weather and enhanced handling capability.

All TLX models are luxuriously quiet, comfortable, and loaded with quality materials. The AcuraWatch safety and driving assistance system comes standard to enhance confidence and reduce driver fatigue. The TLX was also awarded 5 stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)⁵.

Thanks to the Technology, A-Spec and Advance option packages, buyers can transform a TLX with additional design, comfort and convenience upgrades. Highlights include Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ smartphone integration, available wireless smartphone charging, available heated and ventilated front seats, and an available surround-view parking camera system.

When equipped with the A-Spec package, the TLX adds even more attitude. It includes dark trim, 19-inch wheels, distinctive exhaust outlets, leather sport seats with simulated suede trim, and exclusive design details inside and out.

But the most coveted version of the TLX is the PMC Edition. Available in limited quantities, the TLX PMC Edition is hand-built alongside the NSX sports car. It comes fully equipped and dipped in exclusive Valencia Red Pearl paint, a hue shared only with the NSX and the MDX PMC Edition.

Read more about the 2020 TLX

2020 Acura ILX

Acura is no stranger to sport compact car performance. A spiritual successor to the original Integra and beloved RSX, the 2020 Acura ILX will appeal to people seeking something more than the typical compact sport sedan.

Under the hood, the ILX comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower⁷. It's fed to the front wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters. The harder you drive the ILX, the more responsive it is, rewarding enthusiasm with precise steering and capable handling.

From its upscale design detail to its engaging performance, the well-equipped ILX delivers more for less. That includes standard features such as a Jewel Eye® LED headlights, heated front seats and a power moonroof.

It also comes with AcuraWatch that can help prevent a frontal collision and reduce driver fatigue. Should a collision be unavoidable, you can feel better knowing that the ILX earns top safety ratings for crash prevention and crash protection from the IIHS², as well as a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score safety rating from the NHTSA⁵.

For looks to match the performance, upgrade to the ILX A-Spec. Handsome gray-painted 18-inch wheels are bolted to each corner of the car. The A-Spec also includes foglights, darkened exterior trim, a sport body kit, special interior lighting, and unique materials including simulated suede-trimmed seats.

A-Spec trim is available with either the Premium or the Technology package. They both add comfort and driver assist features and audio/connectivity enhancements to the ILX. Picking the Technology package also equips the car with a 10-speaker ELS Studio® premium sound system, navigation and AcuraLink connected services.

With an active subscription, AcuraLink includes emergency calling and automatic collision notification services, as well as quick access to roadside assistance for help with things like a flat tire or an empty gas tank. You can even use AcuraLink and its smartphone app to remotely operate the ILX's power door locks or find the car if you've forgotten where you parked it.

As is true of any Acura, the ILX hits the sweet spot in terms of upscale appeal and undeniable value. And like any Acura, it's fun to drive.

Read more about the 2020 ILX

What Comes Next?

The first of the Japanese luxury brands to arrive in America back in 1986, Acura is leaning hard into its talented design, engineering and motorsports teams, striving to deliver the exhilarating, reliable and safety-minded cars and SUVs it always has, but with a renewed focus on style, sophistication and driving dynamism. The fruits of that labor are plainly evident in the ILX, TLX, RDX and MDX.

When you're ready to find out for yourself, consult Edmunds to determine what you should pay in your area of the country, read our expert reviews, and conduct all of the research necessary to make an informed decision. And don't be afraid to let a little emotion play a role because any of these Acuras will serve you well.

Footnotes

1. 272 hp @ 6,500 rpm (SAE Net)

2. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's website: https://www.iihs.org

3. 290 hp @ 6,200 rpm (SAE Net)

4. Based on SAE J1100 cargo volume measurement standard plus floor space between first and second seats and front seats moved forward. This figure compares more accurately with most competitive measurements.

5. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov).

6. 206 hp @ 6,800 rpm (SAE Net)

7. 201 hp @ 6,800 rpm (SAE Net)