Acura has released all the details about the third generation 2019 Acura RDX crossover, which is goes on sale on June 1 starting at $38,295. Luckily we got some time behind the wheel of the 2019 RDX last week and we’ll be able to tell you more about it when our review goes live later this week, but in the meantime we thought it might be a good time to see how the 2019 RDX stacks up against its European rivals.
The 2019 Acura RDX easily rivals the Lexus NX and Infiniti QX50, but during our brief time with the Acura team, the PR team focused more on how the new RDX stacks up against rivals, like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60. All four SUVs are ready to fight for the crown in the compact luxury SUV segment, but are there any clear winners?
While we can’t tell you yet how the 2019 RDX drives compared to its European rivals, we can tell you how its specs line up. For starters the 2019 Acura RDX starts at $38,295, which is $3,700 cheaper than the X3’s entry price and almost $4,200 cheaper than the base Audi Q5 after the destination fees are added. That’s quite a significant chunk of change.
The 2019 Acura RDX comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that generates 272 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. The base Volvo XC60 T5 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L with 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft., while the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 gets its motivation from a 241 horsepower four-cylinder. The 2019 RDX even tops the base BMW X3 sDrive20i with its 248-hp turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder. The RDX also sends its power to the ground via a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the GLC has a nine-speed and the X3 uses an eight-speed automatic.
While the 2019 RDX does have more power on tap than its rivals, there is a small penalty at the pump. The front-wheel drive RDX is rated at 22/28 mpg and if you add all-wheel drive it’s rated at 22/27 mpg. The all-wheel drive Volvo XC60 T5 is rated at 22/28 mpg and the rear-wheel drive X3 sDrive 3.0L is rated at 23/30 mpg.
The 2019 Acura RDX is a tiny bit less fuel efficient than its biggest rivals, but that cheaper starting price will easily outweigh the extra fuel costs. Also throw in the fact that the 2019 RDX comes standard with more features, like a panoramic moonroof and the AcuraWatch safety suite.
Stay tuned for our full review of the 2019 Acura RDX later this week, where we’ll tell you how it drives in the real world compared to its European rivals.
Source: Acura
