Compare the2023 Acura RDXVS 2023 GMC Acadia

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the RDX and the Acadia have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the GMC Acadia:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the GMC Acadia:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Acadia last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

The RDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Acadia’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than GMC covers the Acadia. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Acadia ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RDX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Acadia’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Acadia.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RDX’s reliability 18 points higher than the Acadia.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 13 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 44 more horsepower (272 vs. 228) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the Acadia’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 271) than the Acadia’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the RDX gets better mileage than the Acadia:

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Acadia.

The RDX stops much shorter than the Acadia:

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Acadia SLE/SLT’s standard 65 series tires. The RDX A-Spec’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4.

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Acadia (8.2 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the GMC Acadia.

The RDX is 6 inches shorter than the Acadia, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RDX has .6 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more front shoulder room than the Acadia.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Acadia with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 12.8 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Acadia with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 79 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the RDX. The Acadia doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The RDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than GMC. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 18% lower rating, GMC is ranked 15th.

The RDX’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Acadia, and is not available on all models.

The RDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

If the windows are left open on the RDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RDX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Acadia doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The RDX Advance’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Acadia’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Acadia’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $480 to $2205 less than the Acadia over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the Acadia because it costs $300 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the Acadia, including $54 less for a water pump, $101 less for a muffler, $44 less for fuel injection and $842 less for a timing belt/chain.

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications: