2023 Acura RDX Performance

The RDX is only available with one engine option, but it's a good one. It's a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivering 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Those are good specs, but because the RDX is limited to one engine, other luxury SUVs are quicker. Acura doesn't provide a claimed 0 to 60 mph time or top speed figures, but independent tests have shown that it is capable of completing the benchmark sprint in 6.6 seconds when equipped with all-wheel drive. This is primarily due to the low curb weight and aggressive first, second, and third gears.

Front-wheel drive is the default setup on the base RDX, Technology, and A-Spec trim levels. AWD is standard on the Advance, and A-Spec Advance trims. You can add it as an optional extra to all models, however. This is pretty much the gold standard in this segment, though Acura's AWD system is tuned to provide a sportier driving experience and additional grip in slippery conditions

On the downside, all models come with a 1,500-lbs tow rating, which just isn't good enough. By comparison, the admittedly pricier BMW X3 can tow up to 4,400 lbs.

The RDX is powered by a modern 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 272 hp at 6,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque from an impressively low 1,600 rpm. Whether you opt for FWD or AWD, the RDX is equipped with a ten-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

The engine is responsive and lag from the turbo is minimal, so pulling away from a standstill is done with authority and, at higher speeds, there's power in reserve for overtaking. The sound piped into the cabin from the engine plays up the whine from the turbocharger, but it's hard to tell what's real and what isn't. Acura's ten-speed auto is a gem if you like your shifts to be smooth, but given the RDX's sporting pretensions, we would like the downshifts to be a little quicker.

According to the EPA, the FWD RDX will return gas mileage figures of 22/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined. Once you add the SH-AWD system, these figures drop to 21/27/23 mpg, which is still impressive given the size and latent performance. The A-Spec models are slightly less efficient overall, managing 22/27/24 mpg with FWD and 21/26/23 mpg with AWD.

All models boast a sizable 17.1-gallon tank, giving the FWD model a range of 410 miles. In the AWD models, you can get 393 miles between visits to the pumps.