Performance, space, and long term value of American drivers: A 2025 head-to-head Acura RDX vs MDX?
Unless you have been fortunate enough not to have spent any time lately shopping premium crossovers, you have surely found yourself in the obligatory Acura RDX vs MDX debate. These two brothers have a clean corporate profile and a famous Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive but they serve different lifestyles. Since the decision is painfully easy to make, this detailed breakdown explores each area- powertrains, interiors, technology, safety, and ownership expenses, to make sure that you will be able to pick which Acura is in your driveway, and you will not have second thoughts. Giving a clue to this direction we will consistently repeat the reference to acura rdx vs mdx in the course of discussion, and it will be the key point in question which we cannot lose sight of.
Acura RDX vs MDX- Performance Specifications
Acura RDX vs MDX- Performance SpecificationsAcura has also endowed the SUVs with unique pulse. And behind each of those 2025 RDX hoods is the aggressive 2.0 liter VTEC turbocharged four cylinder that produces 272 horses, and 280 pound feet of torque. A ten speed automatic buzzes that power to the front wheels or all four via Acura s newest SH-AWD system, sending as much as 70 percent of the torque to the rear axle and 100 percent of it side-to-side for blistering turning.
The three-row MDX begins with a legendary- 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 with 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft and the same ten-speed transmission. Move on to the MDX Type S and the stakes are raised: a twin-scroll turbo V-6 with 3.0 liters roars with 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft, assisted by adaptive air suspension, Brembo front brakes, and an exhaust tuned for sport use.
Even though the RDX is slightly lighter – by around 500 pounds – than its big brother, the Type S model, the vehicle can accelerate to 60 mph in a mere 6.3 seconds, or a muscular 5.4 when speaking of the MDX Type S. Both engines will use regular unleaded, which is an unprecedented advantage in the luxury world.
| Acura RDX | Acura MDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Base Engine | 2.0-L turbo I-4 | 3.5-L V-6 |
| Power | 272 horspower | 290 horspower (355 horspower Type S) |
| AWD MPG* | 21 / 27 | 19 / 26 |
| Max Capicity | ~80 cubic feet | ~95 cubic feet |
| Tow Rating | 1,500 lb | 5,000 lb |
Fuel Economy in the Real World
EPA figures look tight-21/27 mpg (city/highway) and RDX SH-AWD 19/26 mpg when compared to the base MDX. EPA figures reduce when it comes to daily stop-and-go stop. Urban commuters who accrue city miles will be more than happy with the more economical consumption of the RDX. Road-trippers on Highway would notice the parity, as both engines have their revs drop below 1,800rpm in tenth before they blink, but smaller-displacement again has a slight margin at the pumps.
Crafted Cabins–Arrangement and Comfort for Acura rdx vs mdx
Enter the RDX and you can be welcomed with sculpted dash panel, Red stitched Milano leather and Acura True Touchpad Interface inspired by the NSX, placed higher to minimize eye travel. A brushed-aluminum trim embraces the center stack, and a panoramic moon-roof is a standard that illuminates the five-seat cabin not only with natural light but also generates an airy mood that is difficult to find in small luxury crossovers.
Slide into the MDX and the sporty feel is replaced by a decadent one. The extra-long wheelbase liberates space in three rows; and an innovating split second-row center seat with clever removable portions can be switched between Captain comfort and bench convenience. Quilted Milano leather seats, open-pore wood, and nine-mode massaging front seats make long commuting feel like a travelling spa. The third row is even easy enough to use on short journeys, something the competitors, such as the Lexus RX L, can hardly say with a straight face.
Pollution Free Tech and Infotainment Immersion
The two SUVs depend on the 10.2-inch high-definition screen governed by the user-friendly touchpad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 12-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system which is crisp. It has a 12.3 inch customizable digital gauge cluster, as well as an available 16-speaker 710-watt soundstage that transforms playlists into real-time concerts. The navigation uses over-the-air updates and features Digital Key for phone-as-fob convenience and Alexa Built-In which enables drivers to dim home lights before they arrive.
Safety & driver assistance confidence
AcuraWatchTM performs all RDX and MDXs with lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, traffic-jam assist, forward-collision braking, and adaptive cruise control. Both SUVs have complete front, side, and knee airbags and each receives an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Grocery-store maneuvers are made nearly foolproof by the surround-view camera and low-speed automatic braking systems on the MDX, along with front and rear parking sensors available.
Usability- Space, Cargo & Towing
The practicality of Acura RDX vs MDX can be determined by the number of occupants. The RDX provides 31.1 cu ft of cargo space behind the second row and about 80 cu ft with seats collapsed–plenty of space to stow golf bags, stroller systems or even a week of doing Costco. The MDX retaliates with 18.1 cu ft of cargo space behind the third row, 48.4 cu ft with the third row folded and 95 cu ft in two-row format, which makes the vehicle perfect when it comes to cross-country relocation or hours of antiquing.
In areas where towing is important, the MDX pulls 5,000 pounds (Type S down to 4,500 lb with sport tires) freeing boat launch weekends or two-passenger snow-mobile trailers. The RDX is 1,500-lb-rated–enough to carry a couple of kids on dirt bikes or a small trailer but not a travel camper.
Ownership Costs- Warranty, Maintenance & Resale
All Acuras come with four-yearsmilePE12PETO12/50,000-miles bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, six-yearsmilePT12/70,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and first-scheduled maintenance at no cost. The residual of RDX and MDX are in the range of 56 percent and 58 percent respectively after a five-year period of forecast in the insurance industry which is stellar in luxury terms. Clinical maintenance records suggest that the turbo-four in RDX consumes a bit less oil between 10,000-mile oil changes, though the proven J-Series V-6 at the heart of the MDX has years of stories behind its reputation in reliability. The Maintenance Minder system in Acuras makes ownership much easier by helping one calculate the oil life not according to predetermined periods, but on the basis of driving habits.
Insight of Experts
Car and Driver senior editor Drew Dorian notes that the MDX is an actually athletic feeling three-row crossover with a Type S version but that the RDX is the best mix of driver fun and luxury. His finding highlights the two-tiered approach by Acura to provide the thrills of a sport-sedan regardless of its size.
The Right Choice of Your Acura
So what do you do, acura rdx vs mdx– heart and head? When your commute is solo work or parking in one of the larger cities, getaway outings with one or two other folks in spirited style or your back roads, the lighter footprint and turbocharged verve of the RDX will likely seem calibrated to your own needs. But now you are still getting top quality amenities, but you are saving thousands upfront and at the pump. It steers more sharply, turns tighter and with a zingy turbo torque even a common errand feels like mini track days.
On the other hand, when Sunday afternoon is spent loading the family into the car to hit the road, carpooling the kids to soccer practice, or towing jet skis somewhere, then the MDX with its additional row, higher towing capacity and optional 355-horsepower turbo engine are tempting attractions. Long-haul comfort is also increased one step higher with ventilated massage seats, quieter cabin due to active-noise cancellation, and second-row sunshades that put toddlers asleep. Resale on curbs has a slight edge, and the S-type model will satisfy the tingle of real world performance without reaching full-size SUV range.
Specifications of Engine at a Glance
Model Engine Horsepower Torque 0-60 mph Towing EPA mpg (city/hwy)
RDX 2.0-L turbo I-4 272 hp 280 lb-ft -6.3 s 1,500 lbs 21/27
MDX 3.5-L V-6 290 hp 267 lb-ft ~6.5 s 5,000 lbs 19/26
MDX Type S 3.0-L turbocharged V-6 355 hp 354 henrietyson/qu=lb-ft ~5.4 s 4,500 lbs 18/24
Ultimately, when you get down to it, the Acura RDX vs MDX head to head comparison is less of good or better than which flavor of precision crafted performance suits the life you are actually living. No other five-passenger car offers sports-car attitude this well controlled but then you say that again, the RDX is reflective of its outstanding assets of friendliness, effectiveness and class. It is a car-loving brand, and it is steeped in a heritage of creating people-friendly cars. Yet, the MDX again and again, increases space, power and family flexibility in an exterior that does not lose its Acura driving-blood. Whichever one you select, you do so knowing that you are entering into an SUV designed and suited to the long run with its strong residuals, sturdy warranties and graceful aging of technology. Check them both out in a test-drive and leave the decision to your driveway (as opposed to a spec sheet).
