Acura RDX History
Acura's compact luxury SUV — launched in 2007 with the first turbocharged Honda engine in North America, now the brand's top-selling model.
Photo: “2009 Acura RDX in Polished Metal Metallic, front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
History
The RDX debuted as a 2007 model at the 2006 New York Auto Show, filling Acura's compact SUV slot with a distinctive turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder — the first turbocharged Honda engine sold in North America. Its sport-tuned chassis and SH-AWD torque-vectoring system distinguished it from softer luxury-oriented competitors. The second generation (2013–2018) swapped the turbo four for a smoother 3.5-liter V6 and widened the model's appeal.
The third generation, arriving as a 2019 model, returned to a turbocharged powertrain — a 2.0-liter i-VTEC turbo producing 272 hp — paired with a new 10-speed automatic. It received consistently strong sales and reviews, becoming Acura's best-selling vehicle in several years as SUV demand eclipsed the brand's sedan models.
Generations
First generation · TB1 / TB2 (2007–2012)
Photo: “2009 Acura RDX in Polished Metal Metallic, front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
2.3L turbo four — first turbocharged Honda engine in North America; SH-AWD.
2009 Photo: “2009 Acura RDX in Polished Metal Metallic, front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Second generation · TB3 / TB4 (2013–2018)
Photo: “2016 Acura RDX, Slate Silver Met., front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
3.5L V6 replaced the turbo four; broader mainstream appeal.
2016 Photo: “2016 Acura RDX, Slate Silver Met., front right” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
2018 Photo: “2018 Acura RDX in Lunar Silver Metallic, front left” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Third generation · TC1 (2019–present)
Photo: “2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD 2.0L front 4.13.19” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
2.0L turbo (272 hp); 10-speed automatic; brand's top-seller in recent years.
2019 Photo: “2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD 2.0L front 4.13.19” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Body styles
- SUV
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Acura RDX
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.