Since the new Acura RDX made its market debut in the the 2013 model year, the SUV has become a popular one for customers, posting 22 straight monthly sales record as of February 2014. For the 2015 model year, the RDX packs most of what made it such a desirable model, including with the same V-6 engine that nets 270 horsepower and Acura's->ke10 innovative Technology Package.

While other models look better than the RDX, there is a certain amount of appeal to the SUV's rather no-frills character. The all-business look lends to its strong and fuel efficient V-6, and when you add all the standard equipment put into the RDX, it usually translates to strong customer appeal and, in turn, high volume of sales.

Acura's hitching its wagon to the belief that the popularity of the RDX will remain for the 2015 model. It's a precarious position to be in, but for the most part, the company is adhering to the "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" adage.

The RDX has been successful far so there's little reason to believe that it can't do it again, at least for another year.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Acura RDX.

2015 Acura RDX

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Acura RDX
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 273 @ 6200
  • Torque: 251 @ 5000
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

For the second year in a row since the new RDX made its debut in 2012 as a 2013 model, the SUV will retain most of its exterior attributes. The only noticeable change that Acura deemed worthy of mention was the addition of new Amplitude Reactive Dampers and a motion adaptive electric power steering system.

Both aren't likely to make the RDX look any better, but the effects should be felt once you take the SUV out for a spin.

2015 Acura RDX - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase

105.7 in (2685 mm)

Track, front

63.1 in (1604 mm)

Track, rear

63.4 in (1610 mm)

Overall Length

183.5 in (4660 mm)

Overall Width

73.7 in (1872 mm)

Overall Height

66.1 in (1678 mm)

Ground Clearance Unladen

8.1 in (205 mm)

Ground Clearance Fully Laden

5.4 in (137 mm)

Maximum Towing Capacity

1,500 lbs


2015 Acura RDX - Weights

Curb Weight

RDX (2WD)
RDX (2WD) w/ Tech Package
RDX (AWD)
RDX (AWD) w/ Tech Package

3,717 lbs (1686 kg)
3,732 lbs (1693 kg)
3,838 lbs (1741 kg)
3,852 lbs (1747 kg)

Weight Distribution (front/rear)

RDX (2WD)
RDX (2WD) w/ Tech Package
RDX (AWD)
RDX (AWD) w/ Tech Package

2,231 lbs / 1,486 lbs
2,233 lbs / 1,499 lbs
2,277 lbs / 1,561 lbs
2,273 lbs / 1,579 lbs


2015 Acura RDX - Standard Exterior Features

- Power moonroof with tilt, auto-open/close, auto-reverse and key-off operation

- Heated outside mirrors with integrated directional signals and Reverse gear tilt-down function

- Body-colored tailgate spoiler

- Privacy-type tinted rear glass

- Speed-sensing, variable-speed, intermittent front windshield wipers with headlight integration feature

- Intermittent rear-window wiper with integrated rear window defroster with timer

- Projector beam headlights (High-Intensity Discharge design available) with Auto on/off function

Interior

Same goes for the interior of the RDX, which is still the same as far as the layout and configurations are concerned.

That being said, all the nice features are still there, including heated leather seats, a power moonroof, and a 360-watt audio system. On the technology front, the Pandora interface is still there, as is the SMS text messaging function, the Active Noise Control system, a multi-angle rearview camera, and Acura's very own Technology Package.

In case there's any confusion, the Technology Package brings a host of the company's best tech features to the 2015 RDX, not the least of which includes the AcuraLink Satellite Communication System, Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition, a hard disk drive (HDD) with 60 gigabytes of storage capacity, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting, AcuraLink Real-Time Weather, a GPS-linked solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control system, Acura/ELS Surround Premium Sound System, a power-actuated rear tailgate, projector beam headlights with Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs and front fog lights.

2015 Acura RDX - Interior Dimensions

Front Seats

Head Room
Leg Room
Hip Room
Shoulder Room

38.7 in (983 mm)
42.0 in (1068 mm)
55.7 in (1068 mm)
58.6 in (1490 mm)

Second Row Seats

Head Room
Leg Room
Hip Room
Shoulder Room

38.1 in (969 mm)
38.3 in (973 mm)
53.8 in (1367 mm)
57.2 in (1454 mm)

Interior Volumes

Passenger volume
Cargo area (rear seats down)
Cargo area (above floor area with rear seats down)
Cargo area (rear seats up)

103.5 cubic feet
76.9 cubic feet
61.3 cubic feet
26.1 cubic feet


2015 Acura RDX - Standard Interior Features

- Sport seats with leather-trimmed interior

- 8-way power adjustable driver seat with power lumbar support

- 4-way power adjustable passenger front seat

- Heated front seats

- Front center console with dual-level storage

- Fold down center armrest for rear seat passengers

- 60/40 split folding rear seat

- Leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated controls (cruise control, audio, telephone, MID)

Drivetrain

This may sound like a broken record at this point, but in the interest of full disclosure, the 2015 RDX will also receive the same 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that produces 273 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 251 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. Performance numbers likely won't change as a result either with the SUV capable of hitting 60 mph in 6.5 seconds to go with a top speed of 135 mph.

Engine Type

3.5-liter SOHC V-6

Horsepower, SAE net

273 hp at 6,200 rpm

Torque, SAE net

251 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm

Redline

6,800 rpm

Bore and Stroke

3.5 x 3.7 inches (89 x 93 mm)

Displacement

211.8 cu in (3,471 cc)

Compression Ratio

10.5:1

Induction System

Multi-Point Fuel Injection, Drive-By-Wire™ throttle system, Variable Cylinder Management (VCM)

Valvetrain

Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®), 4- valves-per-cylinder, belt-driven, single overhead camshaft (SOHC)

Engine Block

Aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners

Emissions Certification

EPA TIER 2 – BIN 5 and CARB LEV II ULEV


Prices

For the minimal differences attributed to the 2015 RDX, Acura did see it fit to add to the price of the SUV. The base RDX FWD 6AT now retails for $34,895, slightly higher than the $34,520 price of the previous year's model. Likewise, the RDX (FWD) 6AT with the Technology Package saw its price jump to $38,595 compared to $38,220.

Meanwhile, the AWD 6AT trim now retails for $36,295, up from the $35,920 price of the 2014 model. Finally, the top-of-the-line AWD 6AT with the Technology Package now sits at $39,995, slightly more than the 2014 RDX's $39,620 price tag.

Trim Name

Trans

EPA

MSRP

RDX (FWD)

6AT

20/28/23

$34,895

RDX (FWD) w/ Technology Package

6AT

20/28/23

$38,595

RDX (AWD)

6AT

19/27/22

$36,295

RDX (AWD) w/ Technology Package

6AT

19/27/22

$39,995


Competition

2015 BMW X3

BMW announced the 2015 X3 well before any other luxury crossover manufacturer could even dream of doing so. There was goo reason for revealing the 2015 X3 so early, and that is because Bimmer finally gave the model the modified kidney grille and headlights that the rest of its lineup features.

The 2015 Bimmer X3 comes in four flavors: sDrive28i, xDrive28i, xDrive35i and xDrive28d. The 28i models feature the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-pot that puts down 240 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of twist -- nearly putting it on the same level as the RDX already.

The 35i model features the 3.0-liter TwinPower turbo I-6 that pumps 300 ponies and 300 pound-feet of twist through the xDrive AWD system.

Moving into the new 28d model, the X3 gets a 3.0-liter I-6 diesel engine that cranks out 180 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine is not only fuel efficient and cleaner running, but it also has enough oomph to get the X3 to 60 mph in under eight seconds.

The X3 loses the race in pricing though, as its $39,325 base price is almost as high as the RDX's range-topping price. What you're getting with the Bimmer though is a sportier drive and the famous German build quality.

Audi Q5

The Q5 is certainly a closer rival to the RDX than the X3, sans the mighty SQ5. It's looks are typical Audi, giving it that pure ;luxury look that some younger buyer may find a little boring -- score one RDX.

Under the Q5's hood is the base 2.0-liter TFSI engine that pushes 220 horses and 258 pound-feet through Audi's quattro AWD system. This engine mates to a standard eight-speed auto box and it helps sprint it to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

Optionally, buyers can choose the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 with 272 horsepower adn 295 pound-feet of twist, The rest of the drivetrain is the same, and the extra power gets it to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds.

The Q5 also bases out at about the same price as the RDX, as its bottom-line price is $35,00, but heading upscale pushes the price well in to the $50k range.

Conclusion

Acura may not be the first company you think of that can build a versatile SUV that offers a full breadth of functions and features, but the second generation RDX somehow accomplshes that. It's no small feat, that much we can tell you, especially when you have a trove of worthy competitors looking to take the RDX down a peg or two.

The overall quality of the RDX, coupled with its success as a sales driver for Acura, is probably the reason why the company isn't messing too much with it knowing that it has a winner on its hands already.