Being part of the third generation, the 2022 Acura RDX is here to enthrall the compact luxury SUV enthusiasts with the opulence, performance, comfort and reliability that you expect from the Acura brand. Offered for a base MSRP of $40,100, the 2022 Acura RDX is filled to the brim with all the necessary interior, infotainment, and safety features, most of which are part of even the base trims.
Available in five trim configurations, this is also one of the most fun-to-drive SUVs of the segment and comes with the superb 2.0-liter turbocharged motor that is capable of putting a wide smile on the driver's face. It looks striking inside out, and it looks like a great value when compared to the arch-rivals like the BMW X3, Genesis GV70, and Volvo XC60. Here are 10 things you need to know before buying the 2022 Acura RDX.
10 Offers Brisk Acceleration
All the trims of the 2022 Acura RDX come with the same 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC inline-4 motor mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine is capable of putting out 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque and the car can be had in both FWD and AWD drivetrains, with the latter being a $2,000 option.
We found the performance to be top-notch, with superb mid-range grunt, making it an excellent highway cruiser. A slight tap on the gas pedal is all that is required for a quick overtake, and that makes it more fun than the Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60. The 0-60 mph time of 6.4 seconds and the quarter-mile time of 14.8 seconds are respectably swift.
9 Transmission Is A Bit Clumsy At Times
We expected Acura to refine the transmission a bit more, especially since that was one of the major gripes of the outgoing 2021 model. However, the clunky gearshifts remain a problem with the 2022 Acura RDX as well. Drive the car at a sedate pace, and you would find the 10-speed automatic to be pretty smooth and reasonably fast while going through the gears.
However, if you put the foot down when at a reasonable speed (about 40 mph), the transmission feels lethargic for a downshift. It also shifts only a single gear, wherein you would need multiple downshifts to reach the powerband for a quick overtake. Even when you operate the transmission through manual mode, this issue persists, and that can be a deal-breaker to many.
8 Ride Quality Could Be Better
The 2022 Acura RDX comes with the strut front suspension and multi-link independent rear setup, similar to the rivals. If you don't opt for any optional packages with the RDX, the ride quality is fair for the segment, even though it comes with 19" wheels with low-profile tires. However, the Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5 offer a better ride.
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However, get the A-Spec package and the ride quality is disappointing, which is mainly due to the massive 20" wheels. At slow speeds, the sharpest of the potholes do not get adequately filtered and can jostle passengers around a bit. Even if you opt for the Advance Package, which comes with adaptive dampers, the ride quality is a bit jarring at times.
7 Quite A Value Proposition
Offered for a base MSRP of $40,100, the 2022 Acura RDX is the least expensive offering of the compact luxury SUV segment. Despite that, even the base trim comes packed with all the bells and whistles like leatherette upholstery, heated and powered sport seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless access, ambient lighting, and many more.
If you want all the features that you could think of for this segment, the A-Spec Advance trim is the one to go for. This trim gets ventilated seats, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, heated steering wheel, IconicDrive system, dark brushed aluminum trim, and many more upscale features as standard. The long list of optional features and packages is quite economical as well, especially when compared to the European rivals.
6 Precise Driving Dynamics
The 2022 Acura RDX is one of the most fun-to-drive compact luxury SUVs of the segment. Even if you opt for the lower trims with no adaptive suspension system, the sure-footed driving dynamics make the RDX pretty enjoyable around the tight corners. The body roll is minimal and the sport-tuned suspension along with performance tires help the car to grip very well.
However, if you want to experience the best of the segment, get the RDX equipped with the Advance package and SH-AWD drivetrain. The cornering ability is superb, even when pushing the car to the limits. Handling is neutral, and we also found the steering to be very precise and direct. There is more than enough feel and feedback.
5 Looks Very Sporty
The Acura RDX has always been a looker ever since the third generation came into the United States market back in 2019, and with subtle upgrades for 2022 it looks even better. The main changes are to the front and rear bumpers, exhaust tips, and two new color schemes, all of which make the RDX look very ravishing.
The 2022 Acura RDX also looks unlike any other offerings on the road, and that makes it even more handsome, especially compared to the bland European offerings. The blacked-out grille and air dam, sharp LED headlights with neatly incorporated LED DRLs, and the impressive width and ground clearance looks purposeful. We also admire the black cladding, beautiful 20" Shark Gray alloy wheels, and neat spoiler at the rear.
4 Interior Looks And Feels Premium
The beautiful design language coupled with premium materials used for construction makes the cabin of the 2022 Acura RDX one of the best of the segment. Get inside and the first thing you likely notice is the chunky leather-wrapped steering wheel and futuristic dashboard design, both of which look like no other rivals.
The center console is also filled with many buttons and knobs, all of which feel expensive, as you would expect from the luxury segment. The leather inserts on the dashboard and door cards, aluminum pedals, and the contrastive stitching on the high-quality upholstery look very appealing. There are no uneven panel gaps or hard plastics anywhere either.
3 Space Is Adequate For Five Passengers
The cabin is not only superb in terms of aesthetic design and build quality, but also supremely spacious for a compact SUV. The front seat occupants are pampered within the relatively wide cabin, thanks to the generous headroom and legroom. Apart from that, the sport seats covered in premium leather and ample side bolstering helps to cover many miles with utmost comfort.
The rear seat also provides a similar traveling experience, with no complaints regarding the headroom, legroom, and shoulder room. The under-thigh support and lower back support are top-notch too. This helps the car to be a comfortable 5-seater SUV. Even the trunk capacity of 31.1 cu ft is among the best of the segment.
2 Five-Star Crash Safety
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Many of the offerings from Acura have always ticked the boxes for being a safe option, and that is one of the major reasons why it appeals to American car buyers. This is also the case with the updated 2022 RDX, which boasts a 5-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA and earns a 2022 top safety pick plus title from the IIHS.
As always, the Acura RDX is built to a very high standard, as the car uses high-tensile steel and aluminum in its construction. Apart from that, all the driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are provided as standard too.
1 Infotainment Is Very Intuitive
The 10.2" touchscreen infotainment system is standard with the 2022 Acura RDX, and we don't have any major complaints regarding this system. Even though the learning curve is a bit steep in comparison to the easy MMI touchscreen infotainment system in the Audi, it is filled with many useful features and is also very smooth and polished in its action.
The touchpad that is integrated into the center console also does a wonderful job of navigating through the infotainment. Some of the infotainment features include wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM radio, Amazon Alexa support, and many more. If you opt for the Technology package, you also get the excellent 12-speaker ELS audio system along with a few more features.