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2021 Acura RDX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles: 4dr SUV
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 272 hp
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Premium Gasoline
MPG (best): 24 combined · 22 city / 28 hwy
Length: 186.6 in
Curb weight: 4,035 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

AWD / 4WD available
5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Modest powerUp to 272 hp, versus about 355 hp for similar 2021 models.
Many owner complaints117 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 30 for similar models — most often about the engine.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Acura RDX is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 187 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,035 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (22 city / 28 highway), 9% worse than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 RDX — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 RDX →

Trims, performance & features

Engine272 hp2.0L turbo 4-cyl

Transmission10-speed automatic

DriveAWD/4WD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SH-AWD TechSH-AWD A-SPECSH-AWD ADVANCE / PMC EDITIONSH-AWDA-SPEC

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Rear cross-traffic alertStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Lane centeringStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Adaptive driving beamOptional

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: East Liberty, Ohio

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 RDX configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
4dr SUV	186.6 in	74.8 in	65.7 in	108.3 in	64.2 / 64.6 in	4,035 lb	57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
RDX FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	22 / 28 / 24	-9%	$3,400	370
RDX FWD A-SPEC	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	Front-Wheel Drive	22 / 27 / 24	-9%	$3,400	375
RDX AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	All-Wheel Drive	21 / 27 / 23	-4%	$3,550	385
RDX AWD A-SPEC	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (S10)	All-Wheel Drive	21 / 26 / 23	-4%	$3,550	387

5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

5/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Spend $5,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

26.4 MPG2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2021 Acura RDX SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	16.5%
2021 Acura RDX SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	15%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

StandardLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2021 Acura RDX SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2021 Acura RDX SUV FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 small SUVs

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2021 Acura RDX (this car)	24 MPG	★★★★★	3
2021 Tesla Model Y	326 mi	Not rated	23
2021 Land Rover Defender	19 MPG	Not rated	9
2021 BMW X3	27 MPG	★★★★★	10
2021 Lexus RX	30 MPG	Not rated	2
2021 Volvo XC90	27 MPG	Not rated	7
2021 Porsche Macan	21 MPG	Not rated	1

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Feb 1, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V064000 · 750,114 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Dec 2, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V939000 · 279 vehicles

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Acura RDX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

117Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

3Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

1Injuries reported

30,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Unknown Or Other31

Engine23

Service Brakes15

Power Train13

Air Bags11

Visibility/Wiper10

Structure › Body9

Electrical System9

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Acura RDX buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Engine — 23 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Service Brakes — 15 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
Power Train — 13 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 30,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Acura RDX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other RDX years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2026 RDX	23	187.8 in	Not rated	0	1
2025 RDX	23	187.8 in	★★★★★	1	30
2024 RDX	23	187.8 in	★★★★★	2	12
2023 RDX	24	187.8 in	★★★★★	2	24
2022 RDX	24	187.8 in	★★★★★	2	31
2020 RDX	24	186.6 in	★★★★★	5	349
2019 RDX	24	186.6 in	★★★★★	5	440
2018 RDX	23	183.5 in	★★★★★	1	78
2017 RDX	23	183.5 in	★★★★★	1	80
2016 RDX	23	183.5 in	★★★★★	2	41
2015 RDX	23	183.5 in	★★★★★	3	414
2014 RDX	23	183.5 in	★★★★★	3	235

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →