Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5A)
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
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Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl 5A)
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl 5A)
4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Overall Rating
The Acura RDX pits Honda’s engineering prowess in a luxurious and well-designed attire that makes it a luxury car through and through. The car has less horsepower than most of its competitors in the segment, yet the drivability and the handling are so well tuned that it can take on corners like no other SUV.
The 2011 Acura RDX is a small luxury SUV that has some unique exterior styling features which aren’t adored by most beholders. The car has a weirdly protruding front fascia that some people term as “the angry chicken”. Nevertheless, the car does have some standout and luxurious interior as well as brilliant drivability, especially with the “Superior Handling All-Wheel-Drive” that makes it a worthy competitor against offerings by other luxury carmakers. The RDX stands up to the likes of the BMW X3 SUV, and the Audi Q5.
The Acura RDX pits Honda’s engineering prowess in a luxurious and well-designed attire that makes it a luxury car through and through. The car has less horsepower than most of its competitors in the segment, yet the drivability and the handling are so well tuned that it can take on corners like no other SUV. The RDX is designed for someone that wants the practicality of an SUV but can’t quite give up on drivability and performance.
The Technology Package adds a plethora of convenience, though the SUV then gets quite expensive. The base trim is perfect and will save you a lot of money, while also offering luxury comparable to the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. Provided that you can deal with the unique and unappealing styling.
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5A)
4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
SH-AWD 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
Technology Package 4dr SUV AWD (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
The Acura RDX pits Honda’s engineering prowess in a luxurious and well-designed attire that makes it a luxury car through and through. The car has less horsepower than most of its competitors in the segment, yet the drivability and the handling are so well tuned that it can take on corners like no other SUV.
The 2011 Acura RDX is a small luxury SUV that has some unique exterior styling features which aren’t adored by most beholders. The car has a weirdly protruding front fascia that some people term as “the angry chicken”. Nevertheless, the car does have some standout and luxurious interior as well as brilliant drivability, especially with the “Superior Handling All-Wheel-Drive” that makes it a worthy competitor against offerings by other luxury carmakers. The RDX stands up to the likes of the BMW X3 SUV, and the Audi Q5.
The Acura RDX pits Honda’s engineering prowess in a luxurious and well-designed attire that makes it a luxury car through and through. The car has less horsepower than most of its competitors in the segment, yet the drivability and the handling are so well tuned that it can take on corners like no other SUV. The RDX is designed for someone that wants the practicality of an SUV but can’t quite give up on drivability and performance.
The 2011 Acura RDX is a 5-passenger compact luxury SUV available in a single trim. Every RDX comes with a 2.3L inline-4 turbocharged motor, along with a well-tuned 5-speed automatic transmission that delivers performance brilliantly. Further heightening the performance is Acura’s SH-AWD which limits torque to every wheel and makes the car grip turns like no other. Above the bae trim, a Technology Package is offered that adds a few additional tech features.
Trim |
Base |
Technology Package |
---|---|---|
MSRP (FWD) |
$32,900 |
$36,000 |
MSRP (AWD) |
$34,900 |
$38,000 |
Key Features |
18” wheels |
Everything on the base + |
|
Heated mirrors |
Rear View Camera |
|
Rear privacy glass |
Real-Time Traffic and Weather |
|
Automatic Xenon headlamps |
Larger infotainment display |
|
Sunroof |
Navigation system |
|
Cruise Control |
GPS Linked Automatic climate control |
|
Dual-zone climate control |
10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound Audio |
|
8-way power driver’s seat w/ 4-way adjustable passenger seats |
|
Leather upholstery |
||
7-speaker sound system |
||
Satellite Radio |
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The Technology Package adds a plethora of convenience, though the SUV then gets quite expensive. The base trim is perfect and will save you a lot of money, while also offering luxury comparable to the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. Provided that you can deal with the unique and unappealing styling.
Powering the 2011 Acura RDX is a 2.3L inline-4 turbocharged motor making 240 horsepower and 260 foot-pounds of torque. The transmission is a 5-speed automatic that tries its best to serve up the engine output, though in most cases, it does feel a bit off-place.
Nevertheless, once you get used to the acceleration, the car can be quite quick and responsive on the drive. While the standard RDX comes with a front-wheel drive, for $2,000 more, you get the SH-AWD that somehow makes the handling come to life, particularly in holding the line around corners.
Model |
Acura RDX SH AWD |
Audi Q5 2.0T |
BMW X3 xDrive28i |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$34,900 |
$35,200 |
$36,750 |
Engine |
2.3L i-VTEC turbocharged inline-4 |
2.0L inline-4 Turbocharged |
3.0L inline-6 |
Drivetrain |
AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
Transmission |
5-speed shiftable automatic |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
Power |
240 hp @ 6000 rpm |
211 hp @ 4300 rpm |
240 hp @ 6600 rpm |
Torque |
260 ft-lbs. @ 4500 rpm |
258 ft-lbs. @ 1500 rpm |
221 ft-lbs. @ 2750 rpm |
0-60 mph (seconds) |
7.0 |
7.5 |
7.4 |
Quarter-mile (seconds) |
15.4 |
15.7 |
15.6 |
Top Speed (mph) |
135 |
132 |
135 |
In the base spec, the Acura RDX is the best-powered car off the lot, though if you go for higher engine options, the V-6 on the Audi Q5 and the turbocharged inline-6 on the BMW X3, the Acura stays largely in the dust. Nevertheless, in the basic orientation, the RDX is the quickest SUV of the lot, although in mid and high range, it does appear to slow down due to its lesser number of gear ratios.
Ghastly to say the least, the fuel economy on the 2011 Acura RDX cannot compare to the likes of the BMW and the Audi. The engine is mostly attuned to push performance and torque, which does make it a bit of a fuel guzzler. The Acura RDX offers 19 mpg in cities, 24 mpg on highways, for a combined 21 mpg with the front-wheel-drive. With the SH-AWD, the car gives 17 mpg in cities, 22 mpg on highways, and 19 mpg combined.
Model |
Acura RDX SH AWD |
Audi Q5 2.0T |
BMW X3 xDrive28i |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) (mpg) |
17 |
20 |
19 |
MPG (Highway) (mpg) |
22 |
27 |
25 |
MPG (Combined) (mpg) |
19 |
22 |
21 |
Fuel Capacity (gallon) |
18.0 |
19.8 |
17.7 |
Range (City/Hwy) |
306/396 |
396/535 |
336/443 |
The low fuel economy puts the Acura RDX on the wrong foot as compared to its refined and well-engineered competition. The car gets a range of just 350 miles on a tank-full of gas. The Audi Q5 gets a considerably larger fuel tank that gives it a range of over 450 miles. The BMW has a better range than the Acura, though it comes with the smallest fuel tank.
The RDX does offer brilliant and well fit luxury inside its cabin. The seating and driving positions at the front are well made and perfectly united for the car. The car has great headroom overall, although the rear seats fall short considering support.
There is too much hard plastic in the cabin, particularly in easy to reach places, which makes scuffing a problem. The interiors have loads of cubbies and storage spaces to ramp up the utility of the car. Overall the interiors in the SUV have a great fit and finish, although at the price point, the interiors do seem a bit on the cheaper side.
Model |
Acura RDX SH AWD |
Audi Q5 2.0T |
BMW X3 xDrive28i |
---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.7/58.2/1.9 |
39.4/57.7/41.1 |
40.7/57.3/39.9 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.3/56.4/37.6 |
39.0/56.4/37.4 |
39.1/56.0/36.8 |
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
27.8 |
29.1 |
27.6 |
While the vehicle comes well-outfitted inside, the stiff suspension makes the ride quality quite rough. Comparing the boot space, the RDX offers 27 cubic feet of storage in the rear, though the roofline does cut into space, and in general, most of its competitors are better outfitted. Although, the Acura does offer just a tad bit more space than either the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3. Some standout interior features in the SUV are:
The 2011 Acura RDX offers some sweet-sounding speakers in either trim. Standard features in the RDX include Bluetooth, 7-speaker audio, and a USB port. The RDX also has a CD player and satellite radio with real-time SiriusXM traffic as options.
The infotainment has an electronic compass and ambient lighting. The basic displays a LED screen, while with the Technology Package, you get a color touchscreen. Some standout interior features include:
Although the exterior does take some getting used to, it is nevertheless quite modern and loaded with features. The Acura RDX is based off-of the Honda CR-V, though it is more sporty and sleek.
Acura retouched the RDX with new exhaust tips, taillights, Xenon headlights, and a reworked front fascia. The car also has 18-inch wheels as standard.
Model |
Acura RDX SH AWD |
Audi Q5 2.0T |
BMW X3 xDrive28i |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3931 |
4090 |
4112 |
Length (in.) |
182.5 |
182.6 |
183.0 |
Width (in.) |
73.6 |
74.0 |
74.1 |
Height (in.) |
65.1 |
65.2 |
65.4 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
6.3 |
7.9 |
N/A |
Wheelbase (in.) |
104.3 |
110.5 |
110.6 |
The Acura has the smallest wheelbase of the competition, though it is perfectly comparable in overall length. The car is also exceptionally light, which shows up in its straight-line speed. Considering the exterior dimensions, the Acura RDX is a perfect match for the entry-level German SUVs. Some standout exterior features include:
The 2011 Acura RDX is amongst the safer offerings in the class. The RDX has not been tested by either the IIHS or the NHTSA for its structural safety. Although Acura does load the car with the most modern safety features. Standard safety features include traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, active head restraint, side and curtain airbags, and a rearview camera. Some standout safety features include:
The 2011 Acura RDX has much to offer in terms of performance and driveability. The car has a responsive throttle and brilliant handling that makes it perfectly capable of taking on enjoyable curves on the road, though the engine and the transmission do not fit well, and the car in general looks a bit off-footed overall. Interiors are of great quality, though they fall short of the attention to detail and refinement that the RDX’s German rivals offer. Overall the car is worth considering, and if you do not mind the exterior styling, it is a great pick in the segment.