Acura’s RDX doesn’t continually gravitate to the top echelons of compact luxury SUV sales leadership by accident. It’s finding upwards of 8,000 Canadian buyers per year, placing it a close second behind Audi’s Q5 year after year.
How does Acura do it? After appealing to aesthetics with styling that pleases the majority of consumers, making sure fit, finish and materials quality are up to par, and delivering big on performance while not forgetting the importance of fuel efficiency in the compact SUV class, it comes down to bang for the buck.
Proving this point, the RDX was one of three Acuras to receive a 2018 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award, the RDX earning its award in the Premium Compact Crossover/SUV category. Even more significant, this is the sixth consecutive year it achieved the honour.
The other Acuras earning top marks include the larger MDX mid-size luxury SUV, which earned its Best Buy Award in the Premium Midsize Crossover category, and the D-segment TLX sport sedan given its Best Buy Award in the Premium Midsize Car category.
The 2018 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Award selection process once again came down to performance, features, accommodations, fuel efficiency, resale value and price, with the RDX said to be one of the most balanced SUVs on the market.
With a base price of $42,390 plus freight and fees the RDX isn’t the least expensive compact luxury SUV in its segment, but it’s far from the priciest either. More importantly, along with the best rear legroom in its class as well as the most total cargo volume available, the rear seatbacks even folding down via handy levers on the cargo sidewalls, the RDX packs in loads of standard features that cost thousands more when added to its European competitors, such as standard V6 power, AWD, full LED headlights, proximity keyless access, pushbutton ignition, steering wheel paddle shifters, adaptive cruise control, a colour multi-information display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a multi-angle backup camera, SMS text and email reading capability, Siri Eyes Free, satellite radio, a universal garage door opener, heatable powered front seats with driver’s side memory, a powered moonroof, a powered rear liftgate, and much more.
On top of all these convenience features, its long list of standard safety gear is highlighted by a host of AcuraWatch driver assistance technologies including autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and the list goes on, resulting in a best-possible 5 Star safety rating from the NHTSA and a top-tier IIHS Top Safety Pick + rating, making the RDX one of the safest compact luxury SUVs available today.
In addition to all the standard features, Acura offers a bevy of RDX upgrades available on two higher-grade trims, the mid-range $45,390 RDX Tech including remote engine start, power-folding side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, AcuraLink connectivity, navigation with detailed mapping, voice activation, a 410-watt 10-speaker ELS Studio audio system, heatable second-row outboard seats, blindspot monitoring with cross-traffic alert, and more, while the $47,390 RDX Elite adds all of the above plus larger 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, front and rear parking sensors, auto-dimming side mirrors, ventilated front seats, and more.
Of note, the RDX shared its Best Buy Award status with the Lincoln MKC, whereas Volvo’s XC90 was chosen alongside the MDX in its category, and Lexus ES was also given the spotlight next to the TLX.
Plenty of other cars, SUVs and trucks earned 2018 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Awards, so make sure to check out the long list at Consumerguide.com/best-buys.