2026 Acura RDX

Overview

As a two-row luxury SUV, the RDX occupies an important but sometimes overlooked position in the segment. While it lacks the luxe trimmings and prestige of some competitors, it’s still an important player. If it falls short anywhere it’s under the hood, where it offers only one engine option and not a terribly efficient one. But that engine is powerful enough to get the job done, and all-wheel drive is standard, which adds value. Mostly, however, the RDX delivers on its promise of Acura build quality and engaging handling without the options, frills and frippery you’ll find from some of its competition.

Edmunds spotlight: The same old RDX seems likely for 2026

If the RDX goes into the 2026 model year without a major redesign — and we think that’s likely — then it will be in its eighth year as essentially the same SUV. Sure, there have been refreshes — as recently as 2025, in fact – but that’s a long model cycle even by contemporary Honda standards. It’s the 2025 refresh in combination with zero evidence to support a full redesign next year that leads us to this conclusion. When the new RDX rolls out sometime in the near future, it seems entirely likely that it will be a hybrid using an electrified rear axle similar to Toyota’s all-wheel-drive hybrids. That would address the primary gripe we have with it (poor fuel economy) and keep the standard all-wheel-drive system.

Competitors to consider

Primary rivals to the RDX include the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3. The Genesis GV70, thanks to its feature-rich interior, composed ride-and-handling balance, and reasonable price, is also very good. But the RDX’s starting price undercuts all three of these competitors.

As is the case with all carmakers, electrification is the way forward for Honda/Acura. But we don't see the RDX becoming a full EV, at least not in the foreseeable future. In fact, for 2026, we think it will carry on largely as it is now. And when a redesigned model does arrive, we won't be at all surprised to see it arrive as an all-wheel-drive hybrid.