Compare the2023 Jeep WranglerVS 2023 Acura RDX

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Wrangler 4-Door are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The RDX doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Wrangler. But it costs extra on the RDX.

Both the Wrangler and the RDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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

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

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 3 oil changes) on the Wrangler for 1 year and -24,000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the RDX (3/unlimited vs. 2/24,000).

There are almost 9 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Wrangler’s warranty.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the RDX AWD’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 43 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Jeep higher than Acura.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Jeep vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Jeep 9 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Wrangler’s optional 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Wrangler’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 13 more horsepower (285 vs. 272) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Wrangler 4Xe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 103 more horsepower (375 vs. 272) and 190 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Wrangler Rubicon 392’s optional 6.4 V8 produces 198 more horsepower (470 vs. 272) and 190 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Wrangler’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Jeep Wrangler turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Acura RDX (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door running on electricity gets better mileage than the RDX:

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the RDX:

The Wrangler 4Xe can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The RDX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler Rubicon 392’s fuel efficiency. The RDX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Wrangler 2.0 Turbo/3.6 eTorque/4Xe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The RDX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Wrangler 4-door’s standard fuel tank has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the RDX (21.5 vs. 17.1 gallons).

The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The RDX doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Wrangler Rubicon 392’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RDX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Wrangler’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RDX:

The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe/Rubicon 392’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RDX are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Wrangler has larger standard tires than the RDX (245/75R17 vs. 235/55R19). The Wrangler’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RDX (315/70R17 vs. 255/45R20).

The Wrangler has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the RDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Wrangler Rubicon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The RDX doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door 4x4’s wheelbase is 10.1 inches longer than on the RDX (118.4 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

The Wrangler’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.7% to 49.3%) than the RDX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Wrangler more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the RDX’s (34.5 feet vs. 38.9 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler Sport 2-door has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the RDX (9.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Wrangler 4-door has a larger cargo volume than the RDX with its rear seat up (31.7 vs. 31.1 cubic feet).

The Wrangler’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the left swing out door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The RDX’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Wrangler’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the RDX’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The Wrangler can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Wrangler can be unhitched and driven around locally. The RDX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Wrangler uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The RDX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Wrangler has a much higher standard payload capacity than the RDX (1233 vs. 838 lbs.).

The Wrangler has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the RDX (1351 vs. 838 lbs.).

The engine in the Wrangler is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Wrangler’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The RDX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Consumer Reports rated the Wrangler’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the RDX’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The Wrangler (except Sport) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The RDX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Acura RDX isn’t available as a soft top.

Insurance will cost less for the Wrangler owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Wrangler with a number “3” insurance rate while the RDX is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

The Wrangler will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Wrangler will retain 70.15% to 81.11% of its original price after five years, while the RDX only retains 47.35% to 49.21%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Wrangler is less expensive to operate than the RDX because it costs $509 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Wrangler than the RDX, including $35 less for a water pump, $143 less for a muffler, $188 less for front brake pads, $319 less for a starter, $131 less for front struts and $1138 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Wrangler will be $692 to $15793 less than for the Acura RDX.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-door won out over the Acura RDX AWD.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The RDX has never been chosen.

The Jeep Wrangler outsold the Acura RDX by almost six to one during the 2022 model year.