Acura ADX vs RDX: What the Difference Between Them Actually Buys

Park a 2026 ADX next to a 2026 RDX and the tape measure barely separates them. The ADX is 185.8 inches long, the RDX 187.4, a difference of 1.6 inches. The price separates them more.

Acura ADX vs RDX: What the Difference Between Them Actually Buys

Jump To

Jump To
  • Size and Space Compared
  • Engines and Driving
  • Where Each One Leads
  • What Each Grade Costs
  • Loaded ADX or Base RDX
  • Seeing Both in Central Indiana
  • Frequently Asked Questions

The ADX launched at $35,000 in front-wheel drive and $37,000 with all-wheel drive. The RDX range began at $45,100. Comparing all-wheel drive with all-wheel drive, the question is what that $8,100 buys and whether you will use it. Those are base MSRP figures for the 2026 model year, excluding destination.

Both are two-row SUVs, and both split the rear bench 60/40, so a long item rides with a passenger beside it. Both 2026 models are rated five stars overall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that crash-tests new cars. Both run a turbocharged four-cylinder with direct injection, and both are built for premium gasoline, the 91-octane grade.

Heated front seats come standard on every version of both. Acura calls its versions grades, the same idea as trim levels.

Size and Space Compared

Size and Space Compared

These two sit 1.6 inches apart in length. Width, wheelbase, weight and cargo separate them more.

Measure 2026 ADX 2026 RDX
Length 185.8 inches 187.4 inches
Width across the body 72.5 inches 74.8 inches
Height 63.8 inches, all-wheel drive 65.7 inches
Wheelbase 104.5 inches 108.3 inches
Ground clearance, unladen 7.3 inches 8.2 inches
Curb weight, all-wheel drive 3,514 pounds on the ADX grade, 3,578 on the A-Spec, 3,611 on the A-Spec with Advance Package 4,014 pounds on the RDX grade, 4,040 on the Technology and Advance grades
Front row headroom 38.4 inches on the ADX grade, 38.5 on A-Spec grades 40.0 inches
Second row headroom 38.0 inches on the ADX grade, 36.8 on A-Spec grades 38.0 inches
Front row legroom 41.9 inches 42.0 inches
Second row legroom 37.7 inches 38.0 inches
Front row shoulder room 56.6 inches 60.0 inches
Second row shoulder room 55.2 inches 57.0 inches
Front row hiproom 54.0 inches 55.0 inches
Second row hiproom 47.4 inches 50.0 inches
Passenger volume 97.3 cubic feet on the ADX grade, 96 on A-Spec grades 104.0 cubic feet
Cargo behind the second row 24.4 cubic feet, 23.2 on the A-Spec with Advance Package 29.5 cubic feet
Maximum cargo, second row folded 55.1 cubic feet, 53.9 on the A-Spec with Advance Package 79.8 cubic feet

Legroom is effectively identical: the RDX gives you a tenth of an inch more up front and three tenths more in back. Sit in the rear of both to compare.

What you gain inside is width, and headroom up front: the RDX is 3.4 inches wider across the shoulders up front, 1.8 inches wider across the shoulders in the second row, and 2.6 inches wider at the hips back there, 50.0 inches against 47.4. It carries 40.0 inches of front headroom against the ADX grade's 38.4 and 6.7 cubic feet of extra passenger volume.

Hip width across that rear bench can affect how comfortably a full back seat rides and whether a child seat leaves room beside it. Bring the child seats you use and try them.

Outside, the RDX's body is 2.3 inches wider, so the ADX can be easier to place in a tight space.

The luggage gap is wider than the passenger gap: behind the second row the RDX holds 29.5 cubic feet against the ADX grade's 24.4, about 21 percent more. Fold that row down and the gap is roughly 45 percent, 79.8 cubic feet against 55.1.

Within the ADX lineup, second row headroom is 38.0 inches on the ADX grade and 36.8 inches on both A-Spec grades, and cargo volume dips on the A-Spec with Advance Package. Front headroom is 38.4 inches on the ADX grade and 38.5 on the A-Spec grades.

Engines and Driving

Engines and Driving

Different engines, different transmissions, different answers on which wheels get the power. The shared ground here is narrow, and it is at the bottom of the table.

2026 ADX 2026 RDX
Engine 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder
Horsepower 190 at 6,000 rpm 272 at 6,500 rpm
Torque, the engine's pulling effort at low speeds 179 pound-feet, from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm 280 pound-feet, from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm
Transmission Continuously variable automatic with paddle shifters 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters
Which wheels are driven Front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive using Acura's Intelligent Control System SH-AWD, Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, standard on every grade, with no front-wheel-drive version
Fuel economy, miles per gallon 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined with front-wheel drive, 25 / 30 / 27 with all-wheel drive 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined, and 21 / 26 / 23 on the two A-Spec grades
Fuel tank 14.0 gallons 17.1 gallons
Fuel grade Premium, 91 octane Premium, 91 octane
Engine construction 16-valve DOHC VTEC with direct injection 16-valve DOHC VTEC with direct injection

A few things sit behind those numbers.

The engine gap is wider than the weight gap: the RDX makes 43 percent more horsepower and 56 percent more torque while carrying about 14 percent more weight, 4,014 pounds against 3,514, comparing the entry grade of each with all-wheel drive.

The transmissions change how each car feels: the ADX uses a continuously variable automatic, which holds engine speed steady rather than stepping through fixed gears. The RDX uses a 10-speed automatic. Both have paddle shifters, so drive them back to back.

The ADX saves you fuel, not stops: its smaller tank gives the distance advantage back. These calculations are not range figures, and real driving moves them either way.

The all-wheel-drive ADX carries 14.0 gallons at 27 miles per gallon combined, which works out near 380 miles. The RDX carries 17.1 gallons at 23 and works out closer to 390. The front-wheel-drive ADX at 28 combined lands near 390 as well.

Where Each One Leads

Where Each One Leads

Both are Acuras, and we sell them side by side at Ed Martin Acura. Here is how the measures fall.

The ADX leads on The RDX leads on
Price of entry: it launched at $35,000 in front-wheel drive and at $37,000 with all-wheel drive, against $45,100 at launch for the least expensive RDX. All figures are base MSRP at launch for the 2026 model year, excluding destination Engine output: 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet against 190 and 179, an 82-horsepower and 101-pound-foot advantage
Fuel economy: 28 miles per gallon combined with front-wheel drive and 27 with all-wheel drive, against 23 All-wheel drive with nothing to decide, and a higher stance: SH-AWD is standard on every RDX grade, and it sits higher off the ground at 8.2 inches against 7.3. On the ADX all-wheel drive is a choice, and a $2,000 step at launch at every grade
Weight, and width outside: about 500 pounds lighter, comparing the entry grade of each with all-wheel drive. It is also 2.3 inches narrower across the body on a wheelbase 3.8 inches shorter, which makes it the easier of the two to place in a tight garage or an older parking structure Cargo room: 29.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 79.8 with it folded, against 24.4 and 55.1
The option of front-wheel drive, for buyers who do not want to pay for all-wheel drive they will not use Cabin width and passenger volume: 3.4 inches more shoulder room up front and 104.0 cubic feet of passenger volume against 97.3
Comfort equipment reached sooner: a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, power-folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and a hands-free tailgate all arrive on an ADX grade that launched at $42,000 in front-wheel drive and $44,000 with all-wheel drive. On the RDX those same five items arrive with the Advance Package, which launched at $52,850 A range that climbs further: five grades reaching $54,850 at launch, with a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system, a head-up display, 16-way front seats and adaptive dampers available at the top
What Each Grade Costs

What Each Grade Costs

Every figure below is base MSRP at launch for the 2026 model year, excluding destination. None of them are transaction prices. For what a particular car is priced at today, our new Acura inventory page and the RDX page carry today's pricing, and anything running right now sits on our specials page.

ADX

Grade Base MSRP at launch, front-wheel drive Base MSRP at launch, all-wheel drive What it brings
ADX $35,000 $37,000 Heated front seats, leatherette seat trim, an 8-way power driver's seat, a manual front passenger seat, a one-touch power moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents
ADX A-Spec $38,000 $40,000 Adds ventilated front seats, leatherette with microsuede accents, a 4-way power front passenger seat and a one-touch power panoramic moonroof
ADX A-Spec with Advance Package $42,000 $44,000 Adds leather-trimmed seats, a 12-way power driver's seat with power lumbar and two-position memory, a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, a hands-free power tailgate, power-folding mirrors and rain-sensing wipers

RDX

Grade Base MSRP at launch, SH-AWD What it brings
RDX $45,100 Heated front seats, 12-way power front seats with power lumbar, a panoramic roof, dual-zone automatic climate control, Jewel Eye LED headlights, an electric parking brake with automatic brake hold, amplitude reactive dampers, the True Touchpad Interface with a 10.2-inch dual-content display and a 7-inch driver's display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa built-in, a Wi-Fi hotspot, AcuraLink with Connected Services, SiriusXM, HD Radio and 9-speaker Acura Premium audio
RDX with Technology Package $47,700 Adds ELS Studio 12-speaker audio, Acura Navigation with 3D View and a wireless Qi charging pad
RDX A-Spec $50,700 Keeps the navigation and wireless charging above, and adds ventilated front seats and ELS Studio 3D 16-speaker audio
RDX with Advance Package $52,850 Adds 16-way power front seats with thigh extension and adjustable side bolsters, heated outboard rear seats, a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, a hands-free power tailgate, rain-sensing wipers with a wiper de-icer, power-folding mirrors, LED puddle lights, acoustic rear side glass, a 10.5-inch head-up display and the adaptive damper system in place of the amplitude reactive dampers on the grades below
RDX A-Spec with Advance Package $54,850 The A-Spec appearance and equipment with the Advance Package content above
Loaded ADX or Base RDX

Loaded ADX or Base RDX

The all-wheel-drive ADX A-Spec with Advance Package launched at $44,000 and the RDX range began at $45,100, both base MSRP for the 2026 model year and excluding destination.

ADX A-Spec with Advance Package, all-wheel drive RDX
Engine 190 horsepower, 179 pound-feet 272 horsepower, 280 pound-feet
All-wheel drive Included in the $44,000 above, where it is a $2,000 step over the same grade in front-wheel drive SH-AWD, standard, nothing to decide
Fuel economy, miles per gallon 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined
Cargo behind the second row 23.2 cubic feet 29.5 cubic feet
Maximum cargo, second row folded 53.9 cubic feet 79.8 cubic feet
Front row shoulder room 56.6 inches 60.0 inches
Heated front seats Standard Standard
Panoramic roof Standard Standard
Ventilated front seats Standard Arrive on the A-Spec, two grades up the range
Driver's seat 12-way power with power lumbar 12-way power with power lumbar
Front passenger seat 4-way power 12-way power with power lumbar
Heated steering wheel Standard Arrives with the Advance Package
Remote engine start Standard Arrives with the Advance Package
Hands-free power tailgate Standard Arrives with the Advance Package
Power-folding mirrors and rain-sensing wipers Standard Arrive with the Advance Package

What the ADX reaches at its top is equipment. What the RDX starts with is engine and space. The decision is equipment now against engine and space now.

Ventilated seats arrive on the RDX A-Spec, which launched at $50,700, and the rest of that comfort list waits for the Advance Package, which launched at $52,850, or $8,850 above the loaded ADX. Having both on one RDX takes the A-Spec with Advance Package at $54,850, which is $10,850 above it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger, the Acura ADX or the RDX?

The RDX, though barely in length. It runs 187.4 inches against the ADX's 185.8, a difference of 1.6 inches. On the other outside measures the gap is real: 2.3 inches wider across the body, 1.9 inches taller than the all-wheel-drive ADX, on a wheelbase 3.8 inches longer, and about 500 pounds heavier comparing the entry grade of each with all-wheel drive. Inside, it holds 104.0 cubic feet of passenger volume against 97.3.

Which one has the stronger engine, the ADX or the RDX?

The RDX, by a clear margin. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four makes 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet against the ADX's 1.5-liter turbocharged four at 190 and 179. Call it 43 percent more horsepower and 56 percent more torque, carried on about 14 percent more weight. Being the lighter car does not offset a gap that size.

Does the Acura ADX come with all-wheel drive?

All-wheel drive is available on every grade, using Acura's Intelligent Control System, and it was a $2,000 step at launch over the front-wheel-drive version of the same grade. It is not standard, so confirm it on the specific car. The RDX works the other way: SH-AWD is standard on all five grades and there is no front-wheel-drive RDX to choose by mistake.

Which is better on fuel, the ADX or the RDX?

The ADX, comfortably. With all-wheel drive it is rated at 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined miles per gallon, against the RDX's 21 / 27 / 23, or 21 / 26 / 23 on its two A-Spec grades. In front-wheel drive the ADX improves again to 26 / 31 / 28. Both are built to run on premium gasoline, so the price per gallon is the same for either.

How much more is the RDX than the ADX?

Set the all-wheel-drive versions against each other, since every RDX has it, and the gap at the bottom of each range was $8,100 at launch. The ADX with all-wheel drive launched at $37,000 and the RDX at $45,100, both base MSRP for the 2026 model year and excluding destination. The gap is narrowest where the ADX range ends: the most expensive ADX, the A-Spec with Advance Package in all-wheel drive, launched at $44,000, about $1,100 below where the RDX range began.

Which has more cargo room, the ADX or the RDX?

The RDX. Behind the second row it holds 29.5 cubic feet against the ADX grade's 24.4, about 21 percent more. The A-Spec with Advance Package carries 23.2 cubic feet there. Fold the second row in both and the RDX holds 79.8 cubic feet against 55.1, roughly 45 percent more. Cargo room is the space measure where the two cars separate most, more so than passenger space.

Is the extra room in the RDX legroom or something else?

Something else. Front row legroom is 42.0 inches in the RDX and 41.9 in the ADX, and second row legroom is 38.0 against 37.7. Width is the difference you feel: 60.0 inches of front shoulder room in the RDX against 56.6 in the ADX, 57.0 against 55.2 in the second row, and 50.0 inches of second row hiproom against 47.4. Up front the RDX also carries 40.0 inches of headroom against 38.4 on the ADX grade and 38.5 on the A-Spec grades. With a full back bench or a child seat beside a passenger, hip width can matter.

Can I get a loaded ADX for the price of a base RDX?

Very nearly. The ADX A-Spec with Advance Package in all-wheel drive launched at $44,000 and the RDX range launched at $45,100, both base MSRP for the 2026 model year and excluding destination. The ADX at that price already carries ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, remote engine start, a hands-free tailgate, power-folding mirrors and rain-sensing wipers. The RDX at its launch price carries the 272-horsepower engine, standard SH-AWD, 12-way power front seats and a panoramic roof. Ventilated seats arrive on the RDX A-Spec at $50,700, and the heated steering wheel, remote engine start, hands-free tailgate, power-folding mirrors and rain-sensing wipers arrive with the Advance Package at $52,850. Having all of it on one RDX means the A-Spec with Advance Package, which launched at $54,850.

How far does each one go on a tank?

The tank-size and combined-economy arithmetic comes out about the same. The ADX holds 14.0 gallons and is rated at 27 miles per gallon combined with all-wheel drive, which works out near 380 miles. The RDX holds 17.1 gallons at 23 combined and lands near 390. These calculations are not range figures, and real driving moves them either way. The bigger tank offsets the better rating, so the ADX saves you money per mile rather than trips to the pump.

Do I get a stronger engine by moving up to an A-Spec on either one?

No. The powertrain is identical across every grade of both models. Every ADX has the same 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four, and every RDX has the same 272-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four. Moving up a grade on either car buys equipment, never a stronger engine.

Which one should I choose if I mostly drive alone or with one passenger?

Either works, so let the other factors decide. You may value the ADX's fuel economy or still use the RDX's extra width and luggage room. You would also feel the RDX's stronger engine. Its SH-AWD is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional on the ADX.

How do I decide between them?

Start with the money, because it separates these two far more than the tape measure does. If your budget lands below where the RDX range begins, the ADX range covers that budget from its entry grade to its top grade. Then drive both. The transmissions feel different, and no specification sheet settles that one.