The 2020 Acura RDX is the top seller for Acura and one of the most popular crossover SUVs on the market. The 2020 Acura RDX is a mid-sized, five-seater crossover that carries over largely unchanged from the previous year. The RDX was awarded a 2020 Consumer Guide Best Buy award and it was well-deserved. So many features that other automakers reserve for top trims are offered as standard equipment on the new RDX.

Acura has a set way of bundling features. There are no model trims. The 2020 Acura RDX comes in Standard, Technology, A-Spec and Advance packages. The Standard RDX has a panoramic moonroof, Apple CarPlay, and advanced safety features. The Technology package upgrades the interior amenities with premium audio, leather seats, and navigation. The A-Spec package works on the RDX’s flair with larger exhaust ports and subtle style elements inside the cabin. The Advance package is the top model and comes with heated and ventilated seats, an even better sound system and a surround-view camera.

The 2020 Acura RDX has more than just superior handling. It has advanced safety equipment and a turbo-charged powertrain with all-wheel drive. Its attractive looks, quick acceleration, and a sweet price make it a formidable rival to the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The only thing that the 2020 Acura RDX lacks is a self-driving function, but it’s still a delight to drive.

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2020 Acura RDX Performance

The 2020 Acura RDX has a 2.0 Liter VTEC turbo four-cylinder engine for a power plant. That’s the same engine from the Honda Civic Type R. It’s capable of reaching 272 horsepower and 280-pound feet of torque. Surprisingly, the RDX is faster than the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300. The Benz crossover has 255 hp and 273 lb. ft. of torque.

The 2020 Acura RDX comes with a well-programmed 10-speed automatic transmission. It responds well across the range of gears and can downshift four gears at a time if necessary. Front-wheel drive and super handling all-wheel drive (SH-AWD) are both available across all the RDX models. Fuel economy is a bit behind the competition. The 2020 RDX gets 24 combined MPG with front-wheel drive and 23 MPG with all-wheel drive. That’s just a few miles off the GLC 300 from Mercedes-Benz.

The 2020 Acura RDX isn’t much of an off-roader, but it can tow 1,500 lbs. It does have 8 and a half inches of ground clearance. So, no need to worry about getting wet. It also has an adaptive damper system on the Advance package. A control knob in the center console toggles through a brief selection of driving modes. There’s comfort, snow, sport and sport plus. You’d be forgiven for leaving the RDX in sport mode for a more thrilling driving experience.

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Finely Sculpted Exterior

The 2020 Acura RDX stretches out to 187 inches. It’s a large mid-sized crossover, but its good looks conceal its size. The 2020 Acura RDX’s exterior just doesn’t have a bad angle. Upfront, the RDX has a 3D illusion grille with the signature Acura emblem. Individual jewel eye LED headlamps and fog lights are sharp and unique. The profile of the RDX catches the light remarkably well, casting images of a vehicle in perpetual motion. Heated side mirrors and a panoramic moonroof come standard. The rear has dual exhaust ports and LED lights that carry over from the rear fenders. They wrap around the RDX’s haunches and cut across the rear hatch. The A-Spec package has its own front and rear fascia styles with A-Spec badges.

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2020 Acura RDX Interior Amenities

The 2020 Acura RDX has an upscale interior that doesn’t favor any particular seating position. When outfitted with leather seating, aluminum or wood grain panels and ambient lighting, the RDX crossover rivals vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW. The seats are soft and supple. The panoramic moonroof lets in plenty of light.

The 2020 RDX is a wide crossover. It has a 108.3-inch wheelbase that translates to more shoulder and hip room inside the cabin. There’s 50 inches of hip room in the rear and 38 inches of legroom. The rear seats split and fold, opening the interior to 79.8 cubic feet of cargo space. There’s also cargo space underneath the rear compartment.

The center console is a bit cluttered though. There’s a touchpad controller, an electronic gear shifter, a driving mode control knob, climate control buttons, and a 10.2-inch touchscreen. The touchpad and touchscreen make controlling infotainment a frustrating experience. Plus, Android Auto isn’t an available feature on the RDX. The Technology package is a small price step up from the Standard model, but adds lots of features. You get navigation, parking sensors, and an upgraded audio system for about $3,000 extra.

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Safety Gear

The 2020 Acura RDX has a 5 Star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t released scores for 2020, but last year’s RDX earned top marks. The new RDX is expected to follow suit.

One of the highlights of the 2020 RDX crossover is that it comes with advanced safety features without extra cost. Every RDX crossover comes with the AcuraWatch driver assistance suite. You get lane-keeping technology, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation braking.

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At the Finish Line

Acura has one of the most gorgeous luxury SUVs on the market but frustrates the buying experience with packaged features. For example, the 10.5-inch heads up display (HUD) is only available on the Advance package. Red cabin lighting is an A-Spec package exclusive. There’s no mixing and matching.

These are just vanity features that one can do without, but the packages lock you into certain amenities. Otherwise, there’s not much to find at fault with the 2020 Acura RDX. It has available all-wheel drive, a snappy turbo, and an upscale interior. Plus, the price is easy on the wallet. The starting MSRP is $37,800. All of this makes the 2020 Aura RDX a top candidate for crossover of the year.