Luxury SUVs can often command eye-watering prices and come with running costs that will keep the tears going for many years to come. An alternative to these pricey vehicles is an affordable and reliable offering from a brand like Honda, but then you miss out on many of the luxury and tech features, unless, of course, you opt for a Japanese luxury brand like Acura.
Acura’s models strike an enviable balance between athletic driving dynamics, luxurious interiors, generous equipment levels, and the sort of reliability that comes from having Honda as a parent company. With three distinct SUVs on offer, there should be a model and trim level to suit everyone from a young professional to a family of eight. We assessed the ADX, RDX, and MDX SUVs across pricing, performance, and reliability metrics to help figure out which one is best suited to your needs.
Acura ADX
Acura
Acura
Acura
Acura released its all-new ADX SUV in 2025, serving as an entry point into the brand’s luxury offerings at a price level that undercuts its German rivals. While the ADX uses the Honda HR-V platform, it gets the Integra’s more powerful turbocharged 1.5-liter engine. The CVT transmission remains, though, which blunts a bit of its performance potential, but the ADX still offers a sharp and enjoyable drive and is available in both FWD and AWD versions. There are three distinct trim levels, or packages as Acura prefers to call them, but unfortunately, there is no Type S variant yet.
The interior is well-equipped with a 9.0-inch infotainment screen and wireless smartphone connectivity standard across the range. The quality of the materials is impressive, and there’s enough space for four adults and 24.4 cubic feet of cargo area. The base model starts at a very competitive $35,000 before taxes.
Acura RDX
The RDX was introduced back in 2019, and while its 272-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and 10-speed automatic transmission have remained a constant throughout, it has undergone several updates along the way to keep it looking fresh and abreast of the latest in-car tech developments. The latest refresh in 2025 introduced enhanced Apple CarPlay functionality, a new grille and several other minor updates.
There are five distinct packages on offer, namely: Base, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance. All versions feature all-wheel drive as standard and even the base model is well-equipped. As with the ADX, the RDX undercuts its German rivals but is slightly less engaging to drive and while the build quality is top notch, it’s not quite as luxurious as its admittedly pricier alternatives. It’s still a decent handling SUV, though, with great steering feel and enough pep from its turbocharged engine to hit 60mph in just over 6.0-seconds. It’s also a lot more spacious inside than the ADX although cargo space is only slightly better.
Acura MDX
Kristen Brown
Acura
Cole Attisha
- Segment: Mid-size Luxury 3-Row SUV
- Base MSRP: $51,800
- Competitors: Genesis GV80, Volvo XC90
Acura’s flagship SUV is the three-row mid-size MDX. It follows the same formula as its smaller stablemates, borrowing its underpinnings from the three-row Honda Pilot, but offering a sportier driving experience, sharper exterior design, and a lot more interior kit. It is also available with a 355-hp turbocharged V6 engine in the top Type S variant, but most consumers will likely opt for one of the less pricey models which are fitted with Honda’s familiar 3.5-liter V6 power unit.
FWD is standard on the two base trims, with AWD being a $2,200 option. All other MDX models come with AWD as standard and an impressive level of standard equipment. A recent update brought some welcome in-car tech upgrades, and for families who need a pair of occasional rear seats, the standard third-row layout will be welcome. As you might expect from a mid-size SUV, cargo space is also much more generous than in the smaller RDX and ADX.
Acura ADX vs RDX vs MDX: The Specs
Acura
Kristen Brown
Acura
| Model | Acura ADX | Acura RDX | Acura MDX |
| Engine | 1.5L Turbocharged Inline-4 | 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 | 3.5L V6 (Base) / 3.0L Turbo V6 (Type S) |
| Power | 190 hp | 272 hp | 290 hp – 355 hp |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft | 280 lb-ft | 267 lb-ft – 354 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 8.7 sec est | 6.2 sec est | 5.5 – 6.4 sec est |
| Fuel economy | 28 MPG combined (FWD) 27 MPG Combined (AWD) | 23 MPG combined (AWD) | 22 MPG combined (FWD) 21 MPG Combined (AWD) 17 MPG combined (Type S) |
| Model Years | 2025 – Present | 2019 – Present (Refreshed 2025) | 2022 – Present (Refreshed 2025) |
| Pricing | $35,000 – $44,400 | $45,100 – $54,850 | $51,800 – $75,850 |
| Cargo Space | 24.4 cu ft (behind 2nd row) / 55.1 cu ft max | 30 cu ft (behind 2nd row) / 58.8 cu ft max | 18.1 cu ft (behind 3rd) / 48.4 cu ft (behind 2nd) / 95 cu ft max |
| Passenger Space | 97.3 cu ft | 104 cu ft | 139 cu ft |
| Max Towing Capacity | N/A | 1,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
Acura ADX vs RDX vs MDX : Reliability
James Ochoa
| Reliability Score (Consumer Reports) | Acura ADX | Acura RDX | Acura MDX |
| 2024 | N/A | 60/100 | 35/100 |
| 2025 | N/A | 44/100 | 51/100 |
| 2026 (Predicted) | 54/100 | 55/100 | 50/100 |
With these Acura SUVs all being based on well-established Honda models, their shared drivetrains and in-car tech should result in above average long-term reliability scores. Acura as a brand consistently outshines German rivals like Mercedes-Benz and Audi, and while the most recent reliability scores from Consumer Reports aren’t stellar, they are above average for their respective segments.
The ADX is a bit too new to gauge its reliability levels, but many of its components have proven to be robust in other Honda products and it should deliver lower overall running costs than its main rivals in the years to come. The RDX had a small dip in reliability levels after its 2025 update, but any niggles should be addressed for 2026 MY cars and beyond. The MDX, meanwhile, has shown marked improvement in overall reliability since its launch, and while a 50/100 does not seem particularly impressive, it compares favorably to other mid-size three-row SUVs.
Which One Should You Buy?
Acura
Acura
Acura
Acura models tend to deliver great value for money, with an added dash of sportiness and luxury, putting them one notch above their Honda counterparts. These SUVs may not have quite the same levels of performance and outright dynamic ability as the best rivals in their respective classes, but none offer as much kit for the money, and even the smaller ADX and RDX can be specced with a wide array of advanced features, many of which cost extra in rival offerings.
The compact ADX is a great entry into the Acura brand, offering decent performance, the latest safety tech and a dash of style that should appeal to a first-time luxury SUV buyer on a budget.
The RDX, meanwhile, is a great alternative to pricier German brands, and a nice step up from the ADX in terms of space, performance and luxury. But fuel economy takes a dive, especially if you do most of your driving around town.
The MDX is the best bet for larger families, or those wanting a premium driving experience without the premium pricing. For many, though, the promise of lower running costs, a proven and impressive AWD system, and a vast array of standard and optional features make these Acura SUVs the default choice.
About the author
John Tallodi
Senior Editor