Unveiled only a couple of months ago at the 2018 New York Auto Show, the all-new 2019 Acura RDX will hit showrooms on June 1 with a base price of $38,295, including destination. That’s actually the same price tag as the outgoing 2018 model equipped with the optional AcuraWatch driver aid suite (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, among others) which now comes standard. The 2019 RDX also features standard front-wheel drive and adding AWD increases the sticker price to $40,295.
Regardless of what features you want, all RDXs come powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Compared to other luxury crossover rivals such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC300, the RDX is more powerful. Sticking with FWD offers an EPA-rated fuel economy of 22/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined. The Super-Handling AWD system brings those figures slightly down to 21/27/23 mpg. Compared to its competitors, the 2019 RDX is also very reasonably priced, especially once you start adding on the options.
For example, the Tech Package, offering real-time traffic navigation, ELS Studio audio with 12 speakers, perforated leather seats, blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors, raises the price tag to $41,495. For the first time, Acura offers the RDX in A-Spec trim, which for $44,495 ($46,495 for AWD) adds sportier exterior styling with some cool blacked-out accents instead of chrome, 20-inch wheels, 4-inch exhaust tips, and an ELX Studio audio system with 16 speakers, among other items. At the top of the trim pyramid, however, is the Advance, starting at $46,395 ($48,395).
This adds an adaptive damper system, 16-way power driver and passenger seats, head-up display, real wood trim, and hands-free power tailgate. This means a fully loaded 2019 Acura RDX will cost you less than $50,000 all in, impressive considering an also loaded Mercedes GLC is about $60,000.
