The Acura RDX accelerated onto the scene back in 2006, marking the Japanese luxury brand’s first foray into the compact crossover segment. It was a success from the get go, and today the 2020 Acura RDX is the brand’s best selling vehicle in North America.

The third-generation RDX, assembled for North America in East Liberty, Ohio, was released in 2019 on an all-new platform. Here’s everything you need to know about the restyled 2020 Acura RDX.

Style and Tech

The 2020 RDX carries the 2019 model’s angular, low-slung, aerodynamic look forward. The front end is anchored by the Diamond Pentagon Grille and the latest version of the Jewel Eye LED headlights. The rear sports LED dragon tail lights, and wheels come in 19” and 20” guise.

Paint options include all of those available on the 2019 RDX – Lunar Silver Metallic, Canyon Bronze Metallic, Gunmetal Metallic and more – as well as a brand new colour, Platinum White.

The interior marries a sense of sport with high comfort through elements like Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, 12-way power adjustable driver’s and front passenger’s heated seat including lumbar support, and Acura’s True Touchpad Interface (TTI) corresponding with the 10.2-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard. Rear seats easily fold flat to reveal more cargo room (881 litres of it) that can be accessed via the hands-free tailgate.

Performance

The 2020 RDX is powered by a 2.0-litre, 16-valve Direct Injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Power runs through a 10-speed automatic transmission to the front two wheels for the base models, and SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) comes optional.

Four driving modes that tailor performance are offered through the Integrated Dynamics System: Comfort, Snow, Sport and Sport+. All trim levels of the RDX earn an EPA rating of 11/8.6/9.9 L/100km city/highway/combined, except the A-Spec, which has been rated at 11.3/9.1/10.3 L/100km.

Safety

The 2019 Acura RDX upon which the 2020 RDX is based was awarded the Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Partly because the 2020 Acura RDX’s suite of safety technologies, AcuraWatch, is like having the most safety focussed co-pilot riding with you at all times. AcuraWatch features Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system, Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), and both available Blind Spot Information (BSI) system and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system.

Trim Levels

As with the 2019 model, the 2020 RDX is available in five trim levels, beginning with the standard RDX model.

Tech – Rear USB ports, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition, Blind Spot Information (BSI) system with Rear Cross Traffic Monitor system, and rain-sensing, speed-sensing, variable intermittent windshield wipers.

A-Spec – Exclusive, sporty A-Spec styling, LED fog lights, ELS Studio® 3D Premium Audio System playback capability and 16 speakers, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel and power-folding side mirrors.

Elite – 19″ aluminum-alloy wheels, Elite design perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces, heated steering wheel and rear outboard seats, power tailgate with programmable height and hands-free access, perimeter/approach puddle lights, and power-folding, auto-dimming side mirrors.

Platinum Elite – Adaptive Damper System; 16-way power adjustable driver’s and front passenger’s seat, including lumbar support, thigh extension, and side bolster; colour head-up display, 19″ aluminum-alloy wheels, LED fog lights, surround view camera system, rear camera washer, ELS Studio® 3D Premium Audio System with audio playback capability and 16 speakers, and perforated leather-trimmed seating surfaces with contrast stitching and seat piping.

Want to get up close and personal with the 2020 Acura RDX? Contact us to book a contact-free test drive from your home.