2025 Acura RDX: Key Features and Updates
We have good news and bad news about the 2025 Acura RDX. The bad news, for anyone waiting on the edges of their seat for a new RDX, is that the new model year isn’t a completely ground-up redesign with a new powertrain. The good news is we’re okay with that because we are pretty happy with what the current RDX, which is only a few years old, offers up: standard all-wheel drive, a solid 272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and an upscale interior.
Even better is that while the changes for 2025 are subtle, they address some of the things we didn’t like about the previous model—like the infotainment system, for example. Let’s take a stroll through what the new Acura RDX has to offer.
Hot SUV Summer
As previously stated, the 2025 Acura RDX is not getting a full redesign, but it is getting a welcome visual refresh. For starters, the RDX will have Acura’s new “frameless” diamond pentagon-shaped grille with a new mesh design. The base RDX gets gloss black exterior accents to set off the buyer’s chosen paint color. Buyers that choose the Advance package will get body-color-matched lower exterior trim.
All RDX trims will get a new 19-inch wheel design in Berlina Black. However, the Advance package gets Berlina Black wheels with a machined finish. If you step up to the A-Spec package, you’ll get a new 20-inch 10-spoke wheel design also in Shark Grey. The A-Spec with the Advance package gets exclusive machine-finished Berlina Black wheels.
The 2025 RDX also introduces three new colors: Solar Silver metallic which is unique to the RDX, Canyon River Blue metallic, and Urban Grey Pearl. Those last two colors come from the larger three-row MDX but are new to the RDX.
True Touch Truly Lives?
The previous RDX was plagued by the same issue we had with other vehicles in Acura’s lineup, and that’s the frustrating True Touchpad that is required to navigate the infotainment system. Acura had previously ditched the touchpad in the MDX refresh. However, the True Touchpad is returning in the new RDX for reasons that remain unclear.
After all the criticism Acura received regarding the touchpad, which users find cumbersome, we would have thought it would be eliminated from all new models. Yet, it seems the touchpad is not going anywhere soon. We reached out to Acura for clarification on this matter, and a representative stated, “With each model’s development, we pay close attention to the needs and demands of our customers. Application of the True Touchpad interface will continue to be a model-by-model decision.”
It seems that True Touchpad isn’t going anywhere any time soon. While we are somewhat disappointed, we hope Acura can find a way to enhance the True Touchpad experience as it persists.
The RDX does get an upgraded 10.2-inch display which features a new widescreen mode for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Unfortunately, it looks like you’ll still need to use the touchpad for navigation. If we’re fortunate, Acura will have made some tweaks to simplify its usage, but we’ll have to wait until we get behind the wheel to find out for sure.
The 2025 Acura RDX is set to hit dealerships later in August, so if we can get our hands on one before that, we’ll provide an update on whether the enhancements have boosted the RDX’s standing in the competitive luxury SUV market.
2025 Acura RDX Pricing
