
The New 2023 Acura RDX

The compact SUV is perhaps the most popular segment in the new car market. Flexible and versatile, it offers something that can appeal to almost every driver, and does it in an economical package and moderate footprint.
Not everyone wants the base version though – some folks are looking for a taste of luxury while retaining those things. How do you do smart luxury, flexibility and versatility, while still being affordable? That’s where the 2023 Acura RDX comes in! Offering a solid mix of modern tech, performance, and options, coming right of a 2022 mid cycle redesign, let’s look at what the 2023 RDX brings to the table.

Performance Features
Underneath the hood of the 2023 Acura RDX is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s the only available engine, and it comes paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with smart, quick shifts for solid acceleration. Thanks to 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, this makes the RDX smooth and quick around town, while being confident on the open road whether cruising along or overtaking on highways.
You can, however, select between front-wheel drive or Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, depending if you are facing poor roads and poor weather in your regular drive. Either way, the RDX can tow up to 1500 pounds, which is good enough for small trailers, personal watercraft, bikes, and similar lightweight cargo. The choice of front- or all-wheel drive does have an impact on the fuel economy - ranging from 22 city and 28 highway in the front-wheel drive RDX, to 21 city and 26 highway in the all-wheel-drive A-SPEC trim.
Underneath the hood of the 2023 Acura RDX is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s the only available engine, and it comes paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission with smart, quick shifts for solid acceleration. Thanks to 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, this makes the RDX smooth and quick around town, while being confident on the open road whether cruising along or overtaking on highways.
You can, however, select between front-wheel drive or Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive, depending if you are facing poor roads and poor weather in your regular drive. Either way, the RDX can tow up to 1500 pounds, which is good enough for small trailers, personal watercraft, bikes, and similar lightweight cargo. The choice of front- or all-wheel drive does have an impact on the fuel economy - ranging from 22 city and 28 highway in the front-wheel drive RDX, to 21 city and 26 highway in the all-wheel-drive A-SPEC trim.
Style and Technology
For the driver seeking subtle luxury, the 2023 Acura RDX stands out. Up front, Jewel Eye LED headlights offer energy efficiency and precision, showing the way ahead. A pleasant jeweled grille leads the way, while a smooth roofline gives a little bit of a sporty, fastback flair.
A spacious, flexible interior is welcoming, with features like dual-zone automatic climate control with humidity control, keyless access, and power-adjustable front seats all standard. There room for five full-sized adults, with class-leading second-row seats offering 38 inches of legroom and headroom. This seating can be stowed to provide up to 58.9 cubic feet of cargo room, plenty for moving into a dorm or making some serious errand runs – with the seats up, the 29.5 cubic feet of space is plenty for grocery trips and hauling luggage on vacation.
Centered around the console-mounted 10.2-inch HD Dual-Content Center Display with True Touchpad Interface, the infotainment is powerful and easy to navigate. Base models feature the Acura Premium Audio System with standard Bluetooth Streaming Audio, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. All of the major integrations are featured, from wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration to Siri Eyes Free and Amazon Alexa. AcuraLink is now included on every RDX for three years of service – this smartphone-connected app lets you keep tabs on your Acura no matter where you’re at!
For the driver seeking subtle luxury, the 2023 Acura RDX stands out. Up front, Jewel Eye LED headlights offer energy efficiency and precision, showing the way ahead. A pleasant jeweled grille leads the way, while a smooth roofline gives a little bit of a sporty, fastback flair.
A spacious, flexible interior is welcoming, with features like dual-zone automatic climate control with humidity control, keyless access, and power-adjustable front seats all standard. There room for five full-sized adults, with class-leading second-row seats offering 38 inches of legroom and headroom. This seating can be stowed to provide up to 58.9 cubic feet of cargo room, plenty for moving into a dorm or making some serious errand runs – with the seats up, the 29.5 cubic feet of space is plenty for grocery trips and hauling luggage on vacation.
Centered around the console-mounted 10.2-inch HD Dual-Content Center Display with True Touchpad Interface, the infotainment is powerful and easy to navigate. Base models feature the Acura Premium Audio System with standard Bluetooth Streaming Audio, HD Radio, and SiriusXM. All of the major integrations are featured, from wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration to Siri Eyes Free and Amazon Alexa. AcuraLink is now included on every RDX for three years of service – this smartphone-connected app lets you keep tabs on your Acura no matter where you’re at!

Safety
With the AcuraWatch Advanced Safety and Driver Assist suite standard on every 2023 Acura RDX, you get class-leading safety equipment at every trim level! The suite features the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Traffic Sign Recognition. On top of this, every RDX features a blind spot information system, rear cross traffic monitor with pedestrian detection, and a multi-view rear camera. Higher trim levels provide the Surround-View camera system for even more thorough vision of the space around your vehicle!
With the AcuraWatch Advanced Safety and Driver Assist suite standard on every 2023 Acura RDX, you get class-leading safety equipment at every trim level! The suite features the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Traffic Sign Recognition. On top of this, every RDX features a blind spot information system, rear cross traffic monitor with pedestrian detection, and a multi-view rear camera. Higher trim levels provide the Surround-View camera system for even more thorough vision of the space around your vehicle!

Trim Levels
Select from five trim levels of the 2023 Acura RDX for the right mixture of features and comforts to fit what you need for your lifestyle.
At its base level, the RDX gets all the standard features mentioned above. The 12-way power-adjustable Sports seats are wrapped in leatherette upholstery, with power lumbar support and heating. These are surrounded with brushed aluminum trim and ambient cabin lighting, providing a touch of luxury. The standard panoramic sunroof has tilt and slide function, along with retained power. Drivers will love the Keyless Access with push button Ignition that makes it easy to get in and get moving.
With the Technology trim, you get perforated Milano Premium Leather with contrast stitching throughout the interior, and the ambient interior lighting is upgraded to the Iconic Drive version featuring 27 unique themes. The base dual-zone automatic climate control gets upgraded with a GPS receiver and solar sensor. These work together to help the climate control system work even better to deal with atmospheric differences, including location, outdoor temperature, and sun intensity. The audio system is elevated to the 12-speaker Acura/ELS Studio Premium Audio System, and the infotainment system adds the Acura Navigation System with 3D View. Front and rear parking sensors are added to aid drivers squeaking into tight spaces.
Select from five trim levels of the 2023 Acura RDX for the right mixture of features and comforts to fit what you need for your lifestyle.
At its base level, the RDX gets all the standard features mentioned above. The 12-way power-adjustable Sports seats are wrapped in leatherette upholstery, with power lumbar support and heating. These are surrounded with brushed aluminum trim and ambient cabin lighting, providing a touch of luxury. The standard panoramic sunroof has tilt and slide function, along with retained power. Drivers will love the Keyless Access with push button Ignition that makes it easy to get in and get moving.
With the Technology trim, you get perforated Milano Premium Leather with contrast stitching throughout the interior, and the ambient interior lighting is upgraded to the Iconic Drive version featuring 27 unique themes. The base dual-zone automatic climate control gets upgraded with a GPS receiver and solar sensor. These work together to help the climate control system work even better to deal with atmospheric differences, including location, outdoor temperature, and sun intensity. The audio system is elevated to the 12-speaker Acura/ELS Studio Premium Audio System, and the infotainment system adds the Acura Navigation System with 3D View. Front and rear parking sensors are added to aid drivers squeaking into tight spaces.
A sport appearance exterior package with upgraded LED fog lights sets the A-Spec trim level apart. There’s change inside as well, with Milano Premium Leather and Ultrasuede with contrast stitching upholstery. The front seats add ventilation for cooling off on hot days. A multifunction, flat-bottomed sport steering wheel is wrapped in leather, while the dash and door are trimmed with Y-Pattern dark brushed aluminum, and an ebony headliner tops it all off. Featuring 16 speakers, the Acura/ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System provides incredible sound and clarity.
Building on the Technology trim, the Advance trim wraps the interior in perforated Milano Premium Leather with contrast stitching and piping, and upgrades the front seats to 16-way power adjustment with thigh extension and side bolsters. The outboard rear seats also get attention with the addition of heating. Authentic open-pore wood trim brings a high level of luxury to the interior, while the leather wrapped steering wheel also gets heating added, making this a great trim for cold-weather drivers! Rain-sensing windshield wipers and the Surround View Camera system both aid the driver in being safe on the road.
At the top of the trims is the A-Spec Advance trim, which combines the luxury of the Advance trim with the sportiness of the A-Spec trim. From the A-Spec it inherits the same upholstery, exterior appearance package, interior trim, and headliner. It keeps the flat-bottom sport steering wheel, but adds heating to it like you get in the Advance. This trim also gets the extra driver assistance features that the Advance model has - the Surround View and rain-sensing wipers. It also adds the extra 12-volt power point for more devices.
Building on the Technology trim, the Advance trim wraps the interior in perforated Milano Premium Leather with contrast stitching and piping, and upgrades the front seats to 16-way power adjustment with thigh extension and side bolsters. The outboard rear seats also get attention with the addition of heating. Authentic open-pore wood trim brings a high level of luxury to the interior, while the leather wrapped steering wheel also gets heating added, making this a great trim for cold-weather drivers! Rain-sensing windshield wipers and the Surround View Camera system both aid the driver in being safe on the road.
At the top of the trims is the A-Spec Advance trim, which combines the luxury of the Advance trim with the sportiness of the A-Spec trim. From the A-Spec it inherits the same upholstery, exterior appearance package, interior trim, and headliner. It keeps the flat-bottom sport steering wheel, but adds heating to it like you get in the Advance. This trim also gets the extra driver assistance features that the Advance model has - the Surround View and rain-sensing wipers. It also adds the extra 12-volt power point for more devices.

Combining performance, luxury, and affordability, the 2023 RDX is an appealing, value-minded package. It’s luxury, but without a ridiculous price point. Every version of the RDX has something to offer the discerning driver, stop in and check them out today! Come check out the different trim levels today by scheduling your test drive at Bobby Rahal Acura to find the right fit for you and your lifestyle!