Compare the2024 Acura RDXVS 2023 Audi A6 Allroad

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The RDX has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A6 Allroad’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RDX has standard Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A6 Allroad.

Both the RDX and the A6 Allroad have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available 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 Audi A6 Allroad:

	RDX	A6 Allroad
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	353	354
Neck Injury Risk	30%	41%
Neck Stress	99 lbs.	228 lbs.
Neck Compression	84 lbs.	98 lbs.

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 Audi A6 Allroad:

	RDX	A6 Allroad
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	63	135
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	130 lbs.	174 lbs.
Hip Force	217 lbs.	262 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	124	135
Hip Force	462 lbs.	716 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	39 G’s

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 36 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A6 Allroad has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A6 Allroad. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A6 Allroad ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A6 Allroad.

Reliability

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 12 points higher than the A6 Allroad.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The A6 Allroad requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura RDX higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi A6 Allroad (5). This means the RDX produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A6 Allroad every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6 Allroad.

Brakes and Stopping

The RDX stops shorter than the A6 Allroad:

	RDX	A6 Allroad
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	119 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RDX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A6 Allroad (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RDX is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than on the A6 Allroad.

For better maneuverability, the RDX’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the A6 Allroad’s (38.9 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the A6 Allroad Premium Plus (8.2 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RDX’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the A6 Allroad Prestige (8.2 vs. 7.3 inches).

Chassis

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 pounds less than the Audi A6 Allroad.

The RDX is 7.5 inches shorter than the A6 Allroad, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The RDX has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A6 Allroad (104 vs. 101).

The RDX has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the A6 Allroad.

Cargo Capacity

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the A6 Allroad with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 30 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the A6 Allroad with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 63.8 cubic feet).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 6% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The RDX offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A6 Allroad doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The RDX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The A6 Allroad’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the A6 Allroad only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $8530 to $9180 less than the A6 Allroad over a five-year period.

The RDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RDX will retain 53.7% to 55% of its original price after five years, while the A6 Allroad only retains 47.84% to 47.89%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura RDX will be $30958 to $33700 less than for the Audi A6 Allroad.

Recommendations

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

	RDX	A6 Allroad
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	TRUE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	n/a

The Acura RDX outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by over four to one during 2022.