2026 Acura RDX Hybrid

2026 Acura RDX Hybrid First Drive: Luxury Meets Next-Gen Hybrid Tech

Carunveiled – The 2026 Acura RDX Hybrid offers an enticing blend of efficiency, elegance, and performance. The car will mix a hybrid engine with Acura’s unique design and amenities, providing a more enjoyable driving experience both in the city and on the highway.

Here are some of the highlights of the 2026 Acura RDX Hybrid:

Hybrid Engine:
The Acura RDX Hybrid is projected to have a gasoline engine with an electric powertrain to boost fuel efficiency and cut pollutants.

Design and Features:
The model will keep the RDX’s sleek and dynamic look, but will also have cutting-edge technology including as an infotainment system, safety systems, and driver assistance functions.

Performance:
The Acura RDX Hybrid is promised to deliver rapid and powerful performance, as well as a pleasurable driving experience thanks to a comfortable suspension system.

Interior:
The interior of the RDX Hybrid will continue to be opulent and comfortable, thanks to high-quality materials and an ergonomic design.

Price:
Given its hybrid features, the 2026 Acura RDX Hybrid is projected to cost slightly more than the normal RDX. Overall, the 2026 Acura RDX Hybrid is projected to be a compelling choice for customers seeking an efficient, powerful, and luxury premium SUV.

2026 Acura RDX Hybrid

Overview Acura RDX

Prestige is one thing; a good deal is another. The 2026 Acura RDX fits into the latter group, as a luxury compact SUV without the cachet of European rivals like the BMW X3, Porsche Macan, or Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Acura, on the other hand, provides much of the same ownership experience as the more well-known SUVs at a substantially lower cost. The RDX is not without flaws: while its rev-happy 272-hp turbo-four provides adequate acceleration, its transmission can be clunky, and the brake pedal feels spongy underfoot.

All-wheel drive is standard, as are a slew of modern tech amenities such as a huge infotainment screen and a competitive package of driver-assistance technologies. The RDX is also zippy and pleasantly agile. So, if you’re willing to compromise on badge snobbery, the RDX could meet your demand for a luxury ride while keeping your monthly auto expenses realistic.

What’s New for 2026 Acura RDX?

The RDX will have a revised grille design with a mesh element in 2026 to better match the appearance of other Acuras. There are also new wheel designs, body-color lower exterior trim, and a few new color combinations. Inside, there is a revised central console with more storage and a relocated wireless smartphone charging pad.

Acura has also improved the infotainment system’s Apple CarPlay capabilities with a new wide-screen mode that allows the smartphone projection software to take up the entire 10.2-inch display. The Advance and A-Spec Advance trims now include full-leather upholstery as well as improved ambient interior lighting with LED speaker grilles.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the central stack is a tad cluttered, with numerous buttons, a touchpad, and a huge rotating drive-mode selection in the center. The version we examined had the A-Spec package’s striking red seats and a number of other unique stylistic features. While the cabin’s high build quality and desirable standard features (ambient lighting; power-adjustable, heated front seats; dual-zone climate control) were praised, the RDX did not seem luxury. Rather, the Acura offers a more sporty driving experience than the Honda CR-V.

Nothing in the cabin feels cheap or chintzy, and the driving position is high enough for SUV fans but low enough for drivers. A handle on the outboard rear seats allows you to fold the back row flat, and the second row may be released from the cargo hold’s rear. We were able to accommodate eight carry-on luggage in the back of the RDX with the seats upright and 22 with them folded.

2026 Acura RDX Interior

2026 Acura RDX Infotainment and Connectivity

Every RDX features a 10.2-inch touchscreen mounted high on the dashboard. It can also be controlled using a touchpad on the center console. It took us a time to adjust to it. The RDX comes equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The optional Technology package includes built-in navigation, rear-seat USB connections, and a 12-speaker ELS Studio audio system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Every model comes standard with a slew of driver-assistance features, but the Technology package adds several more. These include front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear cross-traffic alarm. To learn more about the 2026 Acura RDX crash test results, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. The key safety elements are:

  • Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
  • Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
  • Standard adaptive cruise control

2026 Acura RDX Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Every RDX is equipped with a 272-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (or “SH-AWD” in Acura-speak). The RDX’s throttle is quick at low speeds, and it accelerates away from stoplights with enough oomph to satisfy most drivers. The transmission might be quicker to downshift, especially when the driver utilizes the paddle shifters placed on the steering wheel.

The 2026 Acura RDX’s turbocharged engine produces a high-pitched roar during strong acceleration, similar to the now-out-of-production NSX, but much of that noise is manufactured and fed into the cabin via the audio system’s speakers. The RDX we tested had 20-inch wheels and optional adaptive dampers, which let you change the ride quality.

The torque-vectoring SH-AWD technology also aided the RDX’s ability to change directions quickly, and the steering felt precise. The RDX we tested was exceptionally balanced. Unfortunately, the brake pedal’s inconsistent firmness and responsiveness detracted from the whole experience.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2026 Acura RDX features competitive EPA fuel efficiency estimates in the mid-20s. Its standard all-wheel-drive system gets 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the interstate. On RDXs with the A-Spec trim, the latter estimate is one point lower. We tested that setup on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our thorough testing process, and it returned 26 mpg—exactly the EPA rating. Visit the EPA website to learn more about the RDX’s fuel economy.

2026 Acura RDX Pricing and Which One to Buy?

The price of the 2026 Acura RDX ranges from $46,050 to $55,800, depending on model and options.

  • Base: $46,050
  • A-Spec: $51,650
  • Advance: $53,800
  • A-Spec Advance: $55,800

Acura offers the RDX in a single trim level, but it also comes in a variety of optional options. We’d skip the A-Spec version because it’s expensive and doesn’t provide any significant performance gains. However, we recommend buying the Technology package, which includes a better audio system, navigation, finer leather-trimmed seats, and more. Those who want adaptive dampers and a head-up display will have to pay for the Advance option, which dramatically boosts the cost.

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