Compare the2024 Ford ExplorerVS 2024 Acura RDX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Acura RDX doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 Explorer 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.

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RDX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Explorer (except Base/XLT/Limited/Timberline) offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RDX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Explorer and RDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer offers optional Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The RDX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

The Explorer’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The RDX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Explorer and the RDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Acura RDX:

	Explorer	RDX
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	300
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	262 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/210 lbs.	328/464 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	318	353
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	30%
Leg Forces (l/r)	380/405 lbs.	362/441 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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Acura RDX:

	Explorer	RDX
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	124
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	52 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	288	486
Hip Force	573 lbs.	704 lbs.

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

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The RDX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.

Warranty

There are almost 11 times as many Ford dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The RDX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than Acura.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Acura is rated below average.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (300 vs. 272) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 128 more horsepower (400 vs. 272) and 135 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer is faster than the Acura RDX:

	Explorer turbo 4 cyl.	Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum	RDX
Zero to 30 MPH	2.2 sec	n/a	2.6 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	5.3 sec	7.1 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10.7 sec	n/a	11.8 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	3.3 sec	n/a	3.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	13.9 sec	15.5 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the RDX (20.2 vs. 17.1 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Explorer	Explorer ST	RDX
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.3 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.8 inches	12.2 inches

The Explorer ST’s optional 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.

The Explorer stops much shorter than the RDX:

	Explorer	RDX
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the RDX (255/65R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RDX (275/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The RDX’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The RDX doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The RDX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 10.8 inches longer than on the RDX (119.1 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the RDX.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the RDX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the RDX A-Spec pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the RDX (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Timberline has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RDX (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Explorer uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RDX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has standard seating for 7 passengers; the RDX can only carry 5.

The Explorer has 48.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RDX (152.7 vs. 104).

The Explorer has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, 4.2 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom, 9.2 inches more rear hip room and 5.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the RDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Explorer’s middle row seats recline. The RDX’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the RDX.

	Explorer	RDX
Third Seat Folded	47.9 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	31.1 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	87.8 cubic feet	79.8 cubic feet

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RDX’s (3000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura RDX is only 1500 pounds. The Explorer 4WD offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Explorer uses the AdvanceTrac® 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.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer 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.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The RDX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its AcuraLink can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Explorer to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RDX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Explorer’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The RDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the RDX.

The Explorer (except Base/XLT/ST-Line) 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 Explorer ST/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Explorer is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The RDX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Explorer is less expensive to operate than the RDX because typical repairs cost much less on the Explorer than the RDX, including $259 less for front brake pads, $332 less for a starter, $58 less for fuel injection, $71 less for a fuel pump, $128 less for front struts and $180 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Acura RDX by almost five to one during 2023.