Since it was launched 15 years ago, the Acura RDX has remained among the most affordable compact-luxury crossovers. Mildly sporty and launched as an all-new model for the 2019 model year, the RDX was a lot more stylized than its predecessor which was often overlooked in the world of compact SUVs.

As much as Honda wouldn’t like to admit it, the Acura nameplate still lacks the cache that other luxury brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and even Lexus have.

Arguably, this means that the team has to work a little harder to have its products stand out above and beyond its rivals. The path in which Acura has chosen to do this seems to be through superb build quality and advanced technology at more affordable prices than the typical German luxury brand.

But has the latest RDX aged well since its launch and does it have enough charisma to continue to make it in the marketplace? Let’s take a closer look.

Third time’s the charm?

Acura says that the RDX team’s targets, from a design and performance perspective, were inspired by the Acura Precision Concept, the Precision Cockpit, as well as the NSX. In fact, the RDX is the first all-new design drawing from the Concept styling and the advanced Cockpit technology. The A-Spec trim is supposed to be more sporty than luxurious

This third-generation RDX is also first to be designed and engineered in America, and built on an Acura-specific platform. With styling design conducted in Los Angeles, California at the Acura Design Studio, the RDX is built for North American sensibilities.

Moreover, the RDX’s manufacturing home is in East Liberty, Ohio and development was conducted by the company’s North American engineering team also based in Ohio.

The 2022 RDX still boasts top-in-class cabin and cargo space, but we’ll see how long this lasts with new rivals coming onto the market such as the new Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV and an upcoming new Audi Q5.

Powertrain and Drivetrain

The 2022 RDX’s 272 horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine has a meaty torque band that peaks right when you want it to, in traffic, at a low 1,600 rpms. 2023 RDX models will carry the same engine unchanged.

The 10 speed automatic transmission is well matched up with the engine, and puts power to the wheels via Acura’s torque vectoring Super-Handling-All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system.

Previously as cost savings measure, SH-AWD was removed from the previous gen-RDX (pre-2019) in favour of a cheaper and more basic all-wheel-drive system. It’s nice to see that Acura has made the investment to ensure that the RDX is more competitive in the handling department.

This third generation SH-AWD system can send up to 70 per cent of torque to the rear wheels, and as before, it can vector the aft-biased torque side-to-side by up to 100 per cent to either rear wheel. For snowy situations, there is a “snow” mode which further alters the powertrain and stability control characteristics to maximise winter performance on slippery surfaces.

Tech-forward interior

Acura’s parent company, Honda, has always been one to embrace technology. This certainly applies to the RDX with its connected driving experience and interior accoutrements.

Tall doors and a low step-in height makes it easy to get into the RDX. Behind the wheel, the driver feels as if he/she is in a cockpit.

Not only does the cabin feel futuristic due to the use of high-grade materials such as stainless steel, Ultrasuede (only standard on the A-Spec models), and pattered metallic trim, but the high-deck floating centre console also looks somewhat like that which is found in the latest Acura NSX. Build quality is excellent, with tight panel gaps all around.

Overall, my 2022 RDX tester’s Platinum Elite A-Spec cabin still feels more techy than it is luxurious. Special mention goes to the latest-generation Acura sports seats. Only the top-of-the-range Platinum Elite A-spec model gets 16-way adjustable seats whereas lesser trims make do with only 12- way seats without adjustable thigh extensions or lateral bolsters.

Acura says that at each seat’s core is a light-weight ultra-high-strength steel frame with improved lateral support for sporty driving.

For driver’s convenience, there is an impressive larger-than-normal 10.5-inch full-colour Heads-Up-Display which includes audio, phone, turn-by-turn navigation instructions, and AcuraWatch alerts.

If you’re an audiophile, the RDX Touring is sure to please with the Acura’s ELS Studio 3D premium audio, a 16-channel, 710-watt system. Developed by Acura and Panasonic and tuned by Grammy-winning music producer, Elliot Scheiner, the system has four ultra-slim Highline ceiling mounted speakers which produce more dimensionality to the sound. Believe me, it works as advertised on the tin.

All models and grades come standard with AcuraWatch safety and driver assist technologies, including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS).

Infotainment system

The third generation Acura RDX was the brand’s first introduction of its True Touchpad infotainment interface.

The company says that it’s “the world’s first application of absolute positioning in the driving environment”. In non-marketing speak, this basically means that a touch on any location on the touchpad corresponds directly with the same location on the 10.2-inch HD centrally mounted display.

While I’ve tested out this system before, I still found it less simple to use than just a touchscreen system.

The touchpad has several sections that correspond to the same areas on the 10-inch, dash-mounted screen but there is a steep learning curve to unlearn what you have learnt from using a conventional laptop touchpad.

There are also only four radio presets visible at a time and the scrolling logic is backwards -- for example, users flick up on the pad to scroll down. While the cursor position corresponds to the driver’s finger position on the pad, the driver has to pay attention to the screen to confirm that the correct choice has been made. Lift off the touchpad and you’ll have to start over again.to confirm that the correct choice has been made.

To improve the odds of you hitting an icon correctly, Acura has integrated a padded wrist rest within the high-deck floating centre console to provide for a comfortable and stable platform for operating. However, I suspect that some users will still find it more cumbersome to operate than other systems out there.

The infotainment’s Android-based operating system has two zones. A primary that is larger, and a secondary split screen to the side, which is smaller and allows for functions such as navigation and music to be displayed. Acura has clearly been learning from BMW and Lexus, as both have something similar or their systems. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment.

There is also a new natural language voice command system which recognises real world English for more intuitive voice control of major features and functions. Think of it as Acura’s version of Siri. The system worked well enough, but like others on the marketplace, it was quicker to access functions via the hard buttons versus using voice control.

There is one AUX and one USB port under the centre console, and another USB port located near the cup holder. The Technology package trims and up include two more charge-only USB ports for rear passengers. The AcuraLink connected telematics service is standard, and is used for emergency notification, roadside assistance, and remote starting/locking/unlocking/tracking. There is also an available WiFi hotspot.

How does it drive?

The 2022 Acura RDX has a lot going for it as long as driving dynamics are your top priority. The redesigned compact luxury SUV was impressive on the road, whether it was on highways or on crowded city streets.

The agile handling, new powertrain, and advanced safety gear make a great case for the RDX. The combo provides a healthy dose of power, though more responsive on the highway than around town. The 10 speed transmission works well for the most part, but there were a couple of times where the transmission seemed slightly uncoordinated with a couple of clumsy shifts.

Quick steering and firm suspension are strong suits as well, making the RDX eager to dive into corners. The Adaptive Dampers, standard on my top-of-the-range Platinum Elite A-Spec RDX, keeps the vehicle flat at speed, though it can still be a bit jittery on rougher surfaces. As expected from a premium marque, there are several drive modes that the driver can choose from.

Unfortunately, fuel economy from the turbocharged four is not anything to write home about. As is the nature of turbocharged engines, the more you dip into the turbos, the more fuel they use.

It would be remiss of me to not mention that its strongest Japanese competitor, the newly revised Lexus NX, offers conventional combustion, gasoline hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains whereas Acura only offers a full ICE setup. With fuel prices the way that they presently are, this has got to be high on the consideration list compared to when the RDX was first launched in 2019.

TechDriven’s verdict

The 2022 Acura RDX Platinum Elite A-Spec offers a more luxurious and spacious interior, top-of-class power-to-weight ratio, and a long list of standard luxury features and technologies. This particular top-of-the-range trim combines all of the luxury and tech trimmings you can want, along with the sportier items (e.g. blacked out exterior trim, alcantara interior) that are currently in vogue.

At the end of the day, despite its shortcomings, Acura's third-generation RDX A-Spec impressed me overall with the sum of all its parts. It has agile handling, a powerful turbocharged engine, a modern interior, and standard advanced safety features.

While younger, more tech-savvy owners may feel right at home with the new infotainment system and its controls, it may miss the mark slightly with older buyers who may find the learning curve quite steep initially.

The 2022 Acura RDX may also lose some prospects to customers who are more fuel economy conscious.

Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a more affordable and bold-looking alternative to the typical compact-luxury crossovers, don’t miss out on adding the RDX to your short list.