2023 Acura RDX The new 2023 Acura RDX is truly the vehicle that kicks off the renaissance of the current Acura brand, as it brings a winning combination of good-looking design elements, a dynamic platform, and an interior that doesn’t look like it was borrowed from a Honda spare parts barrel.
It started sales in 2018 as a 2019 model and in the tradition of the Acura mid-cycle updates will be introduced soon. The prototype for the updated RDX has already seen testing ahead of a possible debut later this year or early next year. We should see it arrive at dealerships as a 2022 model.
The camouflage gear on the prototype points to the updated RDX coming with revised front and rear fascia. The exhaust tip also features a square-shaped design, instead of the round tip that is commonly used on the RDX.
2023 Acura RDX Preview
The third-generation 2023 Acura RDX arrives in 2019 with sharp body lines and folds, new technology, and an updated powertrain. With this design entering its fourth model year, we expect a carryover, although a light refresh is not impossible.
While we expect the Acura RDX 2023 to hit showrooms with the same design since 2019, which includes striking body lines, large LED headlights, a bold grille, and a swooping roofline, it’s also time for a refresh. If Acura surprises us with a refresh, we’d expect only light-hearted soft headlights, including updated lighting and bumpers.
On the inside, the redesigned RDX ushers in a new generation of Acura interiors with a dashboard infotainment screen, sporty steering wheel, push-button transmission, and more. With the cabin still up to date, we don’t expect anything new, even if Acura releases an updated 2023 RDX.
Powering the current RDX is the Civic Type R’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This power flows through a 10-speed automatic transmission and out to the front wheels or all four wheels with optional all-wheel drive. It’s the cherry on the powertrain, and we expect no updates when the 2023 Acura RDX arrives.
With a “Good” collision safety rating, standard headlights with a “Good” rating, standard vehicle-to-vehicle standard automatic emergency braking “Superior”, and standard vehicle-to-pedestrian automatic emergency braking “Advanced”, the RDX currently earns the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS. We expect this rating to stay at RDX 2023.
A luxury crossover with a dash of adrenaline, the 2023 Acura RDX is likely to be one of the first to catch your eye. The 2023 Acura RDX is a compact SUV that’s not afraid to express itself, with dramatic styling that includes sharp folds and large air intakes.
For the most part, it goes down to that appearance, with sharp handling and fluid performance. The 2023 Acura RDX is more focused on delivering a smooth ride than matching the acceleration of some truly tough rivals – like the Porsche Macan – and the RDX is finding its niche as an all-around comfortable crossover at an attractive price point.
For the 2023 model year, we’d expect the 2023 Acura RDX to remain largely the same under the skin. Each 2023 RDX is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. You can choose between standard front-wheel drive or an optional all-wheel-drive system for increased traction and a little extra cornering fun.
Inside, the RDX is spacious and well laid out, perfect for those who want a little extra space and a little extra style. It’s not quite as fancy as its German competitors, but the RDX offers excellent materials and technological features considering its much lower price tag.
The RDX will likely have a few changes up its sleeve for 2023. Acura may decide to add a slimmer design to the front and rear bumpers in the same vein as the updated MDX three-row crossover. And, like MDX, RDX can also add new features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
2023 Acura RDX Type S
What’s unclear is whether this new exhaust tip is purely an aesthetic tweak or whether it represents a new powertrain. Acura has indicated that all of its future vehicles will offer the Type S variant, although the RDX is not expected to receive the performance treatment until the redesigned model is launched in a few years.
Another possibility is a new hybrid powertrain, perhaps similar to the three-motor setup featured on previous RLX flagship sedans where one motor helps the engine drive the front wheels and two motors sit at the rear to form an all-wheel-drive system. . However Acura was silent on this matter.
Currently, the RDX is offered exclusively with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that produces 272 hp. The engine is connected to a 10-speed automatic and drives the front wheels or all four.
2023 RDX Redesign
2023 Acura RDX Redesign talking 2023 Acura has grown as the redesigned MDX and TLX have been well received. The company is looking to build on that momentum by preparing a facelift for the popular RDX.
Expected to debut later this year, the updated RDX will feature a revised design incorporating style cues from its newer counterparts.
Acura RDX Redesign 2023
The camouflage hides a lot of details, but we can see the diamond pentagon grille flanked by the LED headlights. Little else is visible, but it looks like this model will have a new front fascia with vertical air intakes similar to those found on the MDX. The lower intake also appears wider, but it’s hard to be sure at this point.
The rest of the crossover has mostly carried over, but the camouflage suggests that we can expect an all-new rear bumper. We also get to see a new dual exhaust system, which swaps the circular ends for rectangular ones.
The spy photographer wasn’t close enough to snap a picture of the interior, but the changes are likely minor as the RDX is only a few years old. That being said, the model could have an updated infotainment system and maybe even a digital instrument cluster.
2023 Acura RDX Design
As said earlier, the upcoming update will mainly focus on the design. The test prototype has been spotted on the track, and both ends of the car are camouflaged. The front is almost completely hidden. As a result, we expect an update that will bring this model in line with the newly released new generation MDX.
This shouldn’t be too difficult, considering the new design already looks very modern. The headlights will likely remain unchanged, but we expect a slimmer bumper and a more striking grille.
The rear bumper is sealed, so we might get a change here. The updated exhaust system, which uses rectangular pipes instead of the original round pipes, is the only real improvement. Typical mid-cycle refresh changes, such as new color options, tires, and so on, are also expected.
The Acura RDX is sure to be one of the first premium crossovers to catch your eye if you prefer a mix of luxury with a splash of adrenaline. With an expressive design involving sharp folds and large air intakes, the RDX is a relatively small SUV that isn’t afraid to reveal itself.
This is largely due to its good looks, with its sleek handling and supple finish. The RDX 2023 sees its niche as an all-around luxury crossover at an acceptable price, with Acura placing more emphasis on a smooth ride than approaching the speed of certain competitors, such as the Porsche Macan.
As the latest version of the Acura compact crossover has only been on the market for less than three years, improvements are still in the works. We expect the Acura RDX to get a mid-cycle upgrade in 2023, and we expect lots of new features.
The emphasis is of course on aesthetics, and the test model has seen it on track. Because it wears a lot of camouflage, the standards for next year’s version are very high. Information regarding interior and engine modifications and transmissions are still scarce at this time.
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2023 Acura RDX Interior
Inside the 2023 Acura RDX, you will find that it has one of the sportiest interiors of all crossovers. It has a touchpad controller to manage infotainment system functions. The touchpad is placed just below the button for the electronic gear selector.
Cabin quality is excellent, but rivals like BMW and Audi use better and more expensive materials in the cabin. But then you pay a lot for it too, and for the price of the Acura, the cabin is still one of the best.
Cabin space is quite good on the RDX as front and rear passengers get ample legroom and headroom. It can accommodate four or five people easily making it ideal for inter-city driving.
The RDX cargo hold offers 29.5 cubic feet of space as standard. The rear seats are 60/40 folding rear seats that expand cargo space to 58.9 cubic feet. Underfloor cargo storage is also present which makes it more practical and adds further storage space.
The most overall cabin space on the RDX with better legroom in both rows. The standard cargo space available on the RDX and XC60 is top-notch; The Volvo has just 0.2 cubic feet more space than the Acura which is negligible in the real world.
Interior shots were not possible due to the inability of the spy photographer to get close enough. As a result, it is difficult to discuss interior improvements at this time. However, we believe the interior of the Acura RDX 2022 will change slightly.
Obviously, the existing cabin still looks pretty good. It is elegant and well built. In addition, most of the fabrics are of excellent quality, so it is difficult to identify the main flaws in this interior.
The total cabin size will of course remain the same, so you can expect the same amount of passenger space. This means two rows of seats that can comfortably fit five adults.
In addition, the delivery area has some very decent numbers. With all the rear seats raised, you get about 29.5 cubic feet and a max of 58.9 cubic feet. This is better than the average car in this class.
We don’t see any major changes in this area as the new model already has a long list of basic features. Today’s essential feature catalog contains tech gadgets, including a 10.2-inch touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspot, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, voice recognition, a stereo system nine speakers, dual-zone climate control, etc.
As a result, we can keep an eye on future improvements to the existing set of options, which include premium audio systems, heads-up displays, navigation, and more.
When it comes to protective features, things are no different. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure prevention, lane departure warning, lane hold assist and automatic high beam assist are all standard on the new model. Blindspot alarms, front and rear parking sensors, surround-view parking camera system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and other features are also available.
2023 Acura RDX Exterior
On the outside, the 2023 Acura RDX is one of the most handsome crossovers out there right now. It has some distinctive design features and also gives it a distinct look which makes it easy to spot.
The trapezoidal front grille and Jewel-Eye headlights set the standard RDX front apart from nearly all other crossovers. This is one of the most futuristic-looking crossovers.
Each RDX comes with features such as a panoramic moonroof, LED taillights, and a tailgate spoiler, with dual exhaust outlets, giving it a sportier look with the optional A-spec package.
As part of the mid-cycle refresh, the 2023 RDX is expected to come with new front and rear fascias that make it more modern and sharp. Also, recent spy shots reveal that the 2023 model year has a square exhaust tip instead of around one.
The RDX is the lightest which makes it sharper to ride and offers better performance. In terms of off-roading, the XC60 is probably more capable than the others thanks to its 8.5-inch ground clearance.
2023 Acura RDX Engine
Under the hood of the 2023 Acura RDX, we can expect the familiar 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 272 hp (203 kW / 276 PS) and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of torque. It had to be connected to a ten-speed automatic transmission and the available Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
While Acura is preparing a Type S version of the successor to the MDX, TLX, and ILX, the RDX may not get high-performance maintenance. That’s still unconfirmed, but the RDX Type S is notably absent from the supposedly leaked product roadmap.
However, a 2.0-liter turbo engine may not be the only option as there are rumors of an RDX with a Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system. Little is known about it, but the model will reportedly have an electric transmission as well as two electric motors driving the rear wheels.
According to some reports, the Acura RDX could get a hybrid variant in 2022. It will reportedly use the same mechanics as the current-generation Accord, which is based on the widely known 2.0-liter petrol engine that produces a total of 212 horsepower.
The standard model, on the other hand, will still use the 2.0-liter turbo-four engine. It has a power output of 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This fantastic engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the whole package is very smooth.
The driving is very smooth, and the driving mechanics are great. In the city, the fuel economy is about 22 mpg, and on the highway, about 28 mpg. Again for this class, this is about average.
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2023 Acura RDX MPG
The Acura RDX 2023 is expected to come with a single engine option with a choice of either an FWD drivetrain or Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive drivetrain. The engine on offer is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 272-horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The engine is mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission.
The 2023 RDX takes about 6.5 seconds to reach 60mph from a standstill. It offers a towing capacity of around 1,500 pounds which is less than most other competitors.
Rivals on the other hand offer towing capacities of up to 4,000 pounds. While the Acura car has received the Type S treatment, it is doubtful whether the RDX will receive it any time soon. Additionally, there’s also the possibility of a new hybrid powertrain on the cards.
Acura may use the same small 2.0-liter inline-4 engine in the 2022 RDX but it produces the most power and torque making it the most powerful in its segment.
Its rivals also have performance versions that come with more power than the Acura. That being said, the RDX doesn’t feel underpowered by any means and is equally fun to drive.
Japanese cars are known for their reliability and fuel-efficient engines, and the RDX is no exception. Acura is a sub-brand of Honda, which makes for one of the most fuel-efficient cars out there. Equipped with an FWD drivetrain, the Acura RDX 2023 is expected to deliver 22 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on the road, and 24 MPG in combined driving conditions.
When you equip it with the SH-AWD drivetrain, the MPG numbers drop slightly to 21 MPG for the city, 26 MPG for the highway, 23 MPG for the combined cycle. The fuel tank in the RDX is 17 gallons which are smaller than most rivals in its segment.
The 2023 Acura RDX manages fair fuel economy for its class, but the BMW X3 excels with slightly better results. The overall range is the highest in the XC60 as it has the largest fuel tank.
2023 Acura RDX Release Date
The Acura RDX 2023 is expected to roll out to dealers somewhere around the summer of 2022 based on the previous year’s schedule. Acura hasn’t officially announced anything regarding the RDX 2022 release date or pricing.
2022 Acura RDX Release Date
The 2022 RDX is expected to arrive on November 2. More From Cars.com: 2021 Acura RDX Goes Amped (and Orange) With PMC Treatment
2023 Acura RDX Price
Our speculated Acura RDX 2023 comes in one trim, with many optional packages. The price of the base variant with the FWD drivetrain is expected to be around $41,000 and the SH-AWD will be around $43,000.
The Acura RDX 2023 will arrive a little earlier than expected but still in the second half of the year, thanks to a mid-cycle refresh. Current models start at around $40,000, and we don’t expect a significant price increase.
