2013 Acura RDX: Redesigned Premium Crossover SUV Gets New Look and V6 Power

When Acura sent the RDX out in 2007 to battle the Lexus RX and Infiniti EX—both V6-powered—it chose to go with a turbocharged four-cylinder. It was willing and eager, but not as smooth and refined as those rival V6s.

Now comes this 2013 Acura RDX with a slicker body, a new six-speed automatic, a new all-wheel-drive system and, yes, a standard 273-hp 3.5-liter V6. It also boasts a longer wheelbase, increased track widths, new Amplitude Reactive Dampers, and more energy-efficient motion-adaptive electronic power steering.

Smoother front and rear fascias, a toned-down Acura bird-beak grille, wider wheel flares and a more tapered rear roofline improve the RDX’s look and make it more aerodynamically slick, while new underbody panels significantly smooth airflow underneath. The redesigned cabin is more upscale and luxurious and Active Noise Control makes it a quieter environment. There’s more leg- and shoulder room, more cargo capacity, larger door and rear hatch openings, a new (available) power liftgate and a host of upscale features.

The 2013 Acura RDX rides on four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts front and multi-links in back. Its longer wheelbase, increased track widths, a lower center of gravity and new Amplitude Reactive Dampers help provide both better handling and a more supple ride, while new motion adaptive electronic power steering replace the previous hydraulic system. More...