The 2022 Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec Advanced Luxury Sport Compact SUV
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: What is an RDX? The RDX is a luxury sport compact crossover SUV that delivers an exciting driving experience, along with a premium crafted interior. The RDX is from Acura, which is the luxury and performance car division of Japanese automaker, Honda. The Acura brand was launched in the United States in March 1986.
Acura is best known for providing cars with top performance, safety, and luxury. The brand name Acura stems from the morpheme “acu” which means “precisely” or “with care” in many languages.
As Acura is a branch of Honda, the history of Honda shows an automaker providing a wide range of everyday vehicles, the Acura name was used to break into the luxury car market. Acura was instrumental in turning the image of Japanese autos from economy focused small cars, into premium luxury performance vehicles.
To prove that point, this week Acura sent me a 2022 RDX SH-AWD A-Spec Advanced Edition Sport Compact SUV to test drive and review. The base window sticker price for this upscale model is $51,300. The only option on the press car is: the apex pearl paint for $500. The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $1,045 destination charge, is: $52,845.
After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the total purchase price came to: $59,451. If your budget for a very nice, highly equipped, luxury edition, performance minded, compact crossover, SUV is in the $60,000 range, then the 2022 Acura RDX is the SUV for you. Tech, safety, power, stability and performance all rolled into one great looking compact sport SUV.
Power comes from a 2.0L liter direct injected inline 4 cylinder turbocharged engine that puts out 272 HP horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque, which means quick acceleration and sharper throttle response. The powerful, yet efficient, turbocharged engine is paired with a 10 speed automatic transmission that’s bolted to an SH-AWD super handling all wheel drive system, for positive traction and precision handling on all road conditions. Paddle shifters with electric power steering team up to make your steering and shifting inputs near instantaneous, for that sports car feel, in a compact luxury appointed SUV.
SH-AWD Super Handling AllWheel Drive is the ultimate sport handling choice for the RDX. As weight shifts to the rear during hard acceleration, the SH-AWD system transfers nearly half of engine power to the rear wheels, and takes full advantage of the additional extra traction.
The Advance package is loaded with features: like a hands free power tailgate, 16 way power, heated and ventilated front seats, a surround view camera system, an Acura ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers, a heated steering wheel, heads up display, rain sensing wipers, power folding side view mirrors, exterior puddle lights, and remote engine start.
The Tech package includes the Acura navigation system, low speed parking control, a wireless phone charger pad, ambient lighting, front and rear parking sensors and a rear camera washer. Then the A-Spec package adds in: a black headliner, an A-Spec exclusive styling package, a sport steering wheel, leather trimmed sport seats with ultra suede inserts, a set of 20” alloy wheels, and 255/45 R20 all season tires.
Acurawatch features are: adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and road departure assist. This RDX is armed with the latest and most up to date safety, tech, handling and control systems that are available today.
Together they give you 21 MPG in city driving, 29 MPG in highway driving, and 23 MPG combined. Plus the greenhouse gas rating is a 5, and the smog rating is a 6, both out of 10. All great numbers for a luxury, sport compact, crossover SUV that costs just under $60,000, all paid for, and sitting comfortably in your garage.
Featuring refined styling, a dramatically quieter cabin, more standard technology, and a retuned suspension, the 2022 Acura RDX is the most dynamic, comfortable and refined 5 passenger SUV in Acura history. The 2022 RDX is in stock at Acura dealers now, and they are available for online orders at Acura.com/RDX.
When you’re ready to buy a new luxury compact SUV, the RDX should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the best compact luxury SUVs for sale today. Call, click or visit your local Acura dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the 2022 Acura RDX SUV. And remember that the base window sticker price for a new RDX starts at only $40,100. Acura - Precision Crafted Performance.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense © editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net