The 2019 RDX’s bespoke body structure is significantly more rigid, lightweight and acoustically sealed, providing the foundation for the all-new RDX’s exceptional handling response, supple ride quality, dramatically quieter cabin and top-level collision safety performance.
The RDX also delivers a more premium and emotional exterior presence to go with its advanced body design. While instantly recognizable as an RDX, the new RDX strikes a more aggressive and athletic pose with a long and wide stance, wheels pushed to the corners and sharply sculpted design details. Premium exterior details include all-LED lighting featuring the next generation of Acura’s Jewel Eye™ LED headlights and an ultra-wide power tilt and slide panoramic moonroof, standard on all grades.
The new RDX is 2.4 inches longer than before, with the added length aiding both rear legroom and cargo capacity. Its more athletic stance comes courtesy of a 1.1-inch wider body with an equally wider track and a 2.6-inch longer wheelbase that also makes the RDX more adept at absorbing road irregularities.
Advanced Body Architecture
The RDX’s new body architecture employs advanced engineering and assembly techniques to simultaneously increase rigidity and reduce weight. These include a new double-ring rear body/frame structure, a world’s-first ultra-high strength steel, inner and outer front door ring design, and Acura’s first use of high-performance structural adhesive and RDX’s first use of sound-absorbing acoustic spray foam. These enhancements significantly improve ride and handling, cabin quietness, and collision safety performance.
What’s New
The following Body and Exterior features are new for the 2019 RDX:
- Surround View Camera System (Advance Package)
- 4-Door Smart Entry (Technology Package and above)
- Walk Away Door Lock (Technology Package and above)
- Ultra-wide tilt and slide panoramic moonroof with power sunshade
- Hands Free Access power tailgate with programmable opening height (Advance Package)
- Auto high beam headlamps
- Acura premium colors
- Rear camera washer (Advance Package)
- Satin brushed stainless steel tailgate interior garnish (Advance Package)
- Exposed dual exhaust outlets with bright finishers (larger diameter on A-Spec)
- Acoustic windshield
- Acoustic front door glass (Advance Package)
- High-strength resin tailgate
- Double ring rear body/frame structure
- Ultra-high-strength (hot-stamped) steel inner and outer front door rings
- Large under floor storage area and side bin
- Acoustic spray foam for improved cabin quietness
- High-performance structural adhesive for body rigidity and weight reduction
- Front smart wiper system
2018 vs. 2019 RDX Exterior Dimensions and Weight
Key Body Specifications
Body and Exterior Features
RDX (standard)
- 19-inch Glitter Sliver painted aluminum alloy wheels
- Acoustic windshield
- Body-colored and heated power side mirrors with memory and integrated LED turn indicators
- Capless fueling system
- Dual exhaust outlets with bright finishers
- LED center high mount stop light
- LED daytime running lights (DRL)
- LED Jewel Eye® headlights with Auto-off
- LED side turn lights
- LED tail lights (except turn signals)
- One-touch panoramic tilt slide moonroof with power sunshade
- One-touch turn signals
- Height-programmable power tailgate
- Push Button Start/Stop
- Remote Smart Entry
- Wipers on/headlights on
RDX – Technology
- 19-inch Pewter Gray painted and machined face aluminum alloy wheels
- 4-Door Smart Entry
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Blind spot information system (BSI) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
RDX – A-Spec
- 20-inch Shark Grey painted aluminum alloy wheels
- A-Spec badges
- Matte black grille with gloss black surround
- Dark-tinted LED daytime running lights (DRL)
- LED fog lights
- Dark-tinted LED headlights
- Optional exclusive Signature Blue Pearl paint
- Large-diameter exhaust finishers
- Sport Black trim
- Unique front lower garnish
- Unique rear lower garnish
- Gloss black side garnish
RDX – Advance
- 19-inch Medium Alloy Silver painted aluminum alloy wheels
- 4-Door Smart Entry
- 4.7 mm acoustic front door glass
- LED fog lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Rear camera washer
- Satin brushed stainless steel tailgate garnish
- Surround View Camera System
Emotional and Evocative New Design
Developed at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, California, and inspired by the Acura Precision Concept, the all-new RDX presents a more emotional, athletic and aggressive form to match its premium performance-luxury SUV image. It is the first all-new Acura model to be designed around the bold new face of Acura and its signature design element, Acura’s diamond pentagon grille, from which the design intentionally flows outward.
Acura Precision Concept
2019 Acura RDX
All-new Acura Jewel Eye® LED headlights sweep outward and back, dynamically joining the aerodynamic front end with the body sides. Due to its longer wheelbase and subtly shorter front and rear overhangs, the RDX appears lower, faster and sleeker in profile.
Below the grille and edgy, aggressively styled fascia is a trio of openings: at center, a broad cooling duct for the engine’s turbocharger intercooler, and at each corner, wing-shaped functional air-curtain openings, inspired by those on the NSX supercar. At the bottom, a racing-inspired air splitter and bright, wing-shaped corner trim lend both form and function.
The side profile says “RDX” at a glance, but like the front, evolves the model into a more passionate, aggressive form. Larger and wider wheel arches frame the standard 19-in. alloy wheels, while body-colored door handles and bright accents along the lower body sides gives the new RDX a more upscale appearance. The body sides are further evolved with a stronger, more emphatic character line stretching from the front wheel arches up through the door handles and above the rear fenders. The brightly-trimmed side window profile – reminiscent of a sport sedan – is likewise more decisive, and the rear quarter window shape kicks up at the D-pillar, meeting the flowing roof panel in a sporty, muscular form.
In back, the new RDX continues its muscular new design. While retaining its strong steel inner panel, the programmable power tailgate’s resin outer skin allows more freedom of expression, as evidenced by a concave design that gives the panel a bold 3D shape that reflects light uniquely, enhancing visual appeal. C-shaped LED taillights with a distinctive “dragon tail” give a dynamic and unique light signature to the new model. Rear parking sensors integrate with the fascia on Technology Package and above grades. While below the rear fascia, a dark-finished diffuser-style panel and exposed dual exhaust outlets with bright finishers give a performance flair, while A-Spec takes things a bit further with larger diameter finishers and exclusive airflow strakes between them.
Aerodynamic Tailoring
A comprehensive aerodynamics package helps the new RDX achieve top-class fuel efficiency and interior quietness. Specially-shaped components at the front of the vehicle guide airflow through the engine’s radiator and into the turbocharger’s lower-mounted intercooler, while channeling the remaining airflow over, around and under the vehicle. A cold-air intake is also provided for the engine.
Additional aerodynamic details include:
- Minimizing the inlet opening area at the front of the vehicle
- Small vents built into the front fenders create “air curtains” that help maintain smooth, attached airflow across the wheel openings to reduce drag.
- Molded under-panel located directly beneath the front air dam smoothly initiates the rearward flow of air underneath the vehicle
- Aluminum under-tray positioned beneath the engine and transmission smooths underbody airflow
- Lateral strakes deflect airflow around the front tires to reduce drag
- Dual molded side under-panels improve airflow between the front and rear wheels
- Rear spoiler positioned above the rear window helps air separate cleanly from the vehicle
Rigid and Lightweight New Body Structure
The new RDX body structure provides the foundations for its exception ride and handling capabilities, quiet cabin and top-class collision safety performance. The new body was designed from the ground up to be lighter, more rigid and tightly sealed and incorporates numerous new engineering features, including:
- A double-ring rear body/frame structure for dramatically improved rear body rigidity in a five-door SUV design (an Acura first)
- A two-piece ultra-high strength steel front door ring design for reduced weight and improved collision safety performance (a world’s first)
- The application of sound-absorbing acoustic spray foam to 12 body cavities, which combine with triple sealed doors and other sound-deadening measures to deliver exceptional cabin quietness (an RDX first)
- The use of high-performance structural adhesives in the body construction to reduce weight and improve rigidity (an Acura first)
Despite being 41 pounds lighter than the previous-generation unibody, global rigidity of the new 2019 RDX body structure is up 38.3 percent which supports improved fine-tuning of the suspension systems for superior ride and handling performance. The stiff body structure allows the chassis to work more effectively and reduces the suspension action needed to control body motion. Another benefit of the rigid body structure is a quieter and more comfortable ride for passengers, with less noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) felt over a wide range of driving conditions.
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) Body Structure
The new RDX’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure is an exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. It uses a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, helping to reduce the forces transferred to the passenger compartment. ACE channels frontal crash energy to both upper and lower structural elements, including the floor frame rails, side sills and A-pillars. It can help to more evenly disperse the forces transferred to other vehicles in a crash as well.
ACE also helps reduce the chances that one vehicle will override another, improving crash compatibility of vehicles that differ in size. ACE goes further by offering additional strength and protection in small overlap frontal collisions, which are among the most severe. (See the Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)
Crash Stroke
The RDX’s ACE™ body structure features crash stroke technology. In a frontal collision, the lower section of the front vehicle frame hinges in a manner that helps direct the engine down and rearward to minimize cabin intrusion.
Ultra-High Strength Door Rings
The new 2019 RDX features ultra-high-strength steel door reinforcement beams and a new world’s first technology – two-piece (inner and outer) ultra-high-strength front door stiffener rings made of 1500-MPa hot-stamped steel. Laser welded and significantly stronger than conventional steel, the ultra-high-strength steel reinforcements are designed to help better protect occupants in a frontal or side impact. Their increased strength allows component weight to be reduced 28 pounds compared to the previous design, which also helps reduce overall vehicle mass for improved handling and fuel efficiency.
Double Ring Rear Frame Structure
The rear portion of the RDX’s unibody features a new “double ring” structural design that incorporates two interconnected metal structures into the unibody: One utilizing the C-pillars, rear wheel arches and floor area; and the other utilizing a unique pillar structure above the rear suspension dampers, roof and floor area. This sophisticated design substantially improves torsional rigidity in a five-door “two-box” SUV body structure that includes a standard panoramic moonroof, while also creating multiple load paths for forces introduced through the rear suspension, resulting in significantly improved ride and handling.
Roll-Hemmed Roof Structure
The application of a panoramic moonroof to all 2019 RDX grades required an all-new roof design and engineering in order to retain the necessary stiffness and safety performance. A key part of this new design is a roll-hemmed roof structure. A first for Acura, the roll-hemmed roof structure stiffens the exterior roof panel, enabling the large panoramic moonroof to be added without sacrificing roof strength or overall unibody stiffness. (See the Safety and Driver Assistance section for more information.)
Ultra-Wide Panoramic Tilt Slide Moonroof
Standard on all 2019 RDX grades, an ultra-wide panoramic tilt and slide moonroof offers top-in-class opening dimensions. Its top-slide, bottom-load design also minimizes intrusion on interior headroom.
Utilizing two panes of 4.0 mm tempered glass, the panoramic moonroof opening measures about 3.1 feet wide and 4.4 feet long. The tilting and sliding front panel is 37 inches wide and 27 inches long, and the fixed rear panel is 36 in. wide and 26 in. long. Particularly for the rear-seat passengers, the panoramic roof provides an enormous “look up” angle of 109 degrees, surpassing all competitors in the RDX’s segment. A power sunshade can be extended or retracted across both panoramic roof sections to provide either an unobstructed sky view, or else full shade – or some agreeable combination thereof – for all passengers. (See the Interior section for more information.)
High-Performance Structural Adhesive
The 2019 RDX makes widespread use of structural adhesives throughout the unibody, supplementing its structural welds and significantly increasing rigidity without the increased mass of additional steel components. The high-performance adhesive material is used along the roof edges, in the roof pillars, side sills and rear wheelhouse, and extensively in the vehicle’s floor pan.
Structural adhesive application
Applied before the body panels are welded together, some 112 feet of structural adhesive directly contribute 6 percent to RDX’s improvement body rigidity – including gains in torsional, bending and lateral stiffness. It helps reduce the new RDX’s unibody weight by 19.8 pounds compared to the previous generation.
Body Rigidity
The new RDX likewise substantially outperforms the previous generation in torsional, bending and lateral rigidity. Global body rigidity is increased 38.3 percent, directly benefiting the RDX’s handling response and precision.
Fitting Point Stiffness
The RDX has eight fitting points where suspension components attach to the unibody – two for the MacPherson strut front suspension and six for the multi-link rear suspension. In all cases, the new RDX outperforms the previous generation unibody by a significant margin, with an average increase of 52.5 percent. Dividends include improved steering precision, road holding and ride quality, and reduced road noise imparted to the cabin.
Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) Countermeasures
Extensive noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) countermeasures incorporated into the RDX include strategically placed body sealants, structural adhesives and other measures to reduce vibration and the transmission of noise.
Wind and Exterior Ambient Noise Reduction
- Dual 360-degree molded door seals reduce wind noise and improve isolation.
- Door gap seals at all door edges further keep wind noise from entering the cabin.
Acoustic Spray Foam
New to the RDX, the application of acoustic spray foam provides extra sound insulation by blocking off hollow pillars, which reduces the transmission of wind and road noise into the passenger cabin by 2 decibels. The foam, applied to six locations on each side of the RDX (12 total) is heated and injected into:
- The base of the A-, B-, C- and D-pillars
- The base of the windshield frame
- The unique pillar structure above the rear damper
Sound Deadening and Noise Isolation
The new RDX has widespread application of sound deadening material and other insulation throughout the unibody to reduce both engine and road noise. Special spray-in sound-deadening material is located in key floor areas of the cabin, and additional insulation is positioned at the firewall and in the rear corners of the unibody. Altogether, the 2019 RDX has 15 percent more insulation coverage than the previous RDX generation, further helping to isolate the cabin from external noise, vibration and harshness (NVH); Advance package includes additional sound deadening for an even quieter driving experience.
Aluminum Components
Aluminum stampings used in key locations help mitigate weight increases and provide benefits to handling, fuel efficiency and emissions.
Among the aluminum body components are:
- Hood
- Front bumper beam
- Rear bumper beam
Exterior Colors
The 2019 RDX is available in nine exterior colors including five pearlescent and four metallic colors. Four of these, including Majestic Black Pearl, Apex Blue Pearl, Performance Red Pearl and Canyon Bronze Metallic, are exclusive premium colors that are new to the RDX.
In keeping with the precision-crafted design of NSX, the all-new RDX becomes the second vehicle in the Acura lineup to offer premium colors. Each color is uniquely engineered to differentiate the RDX from its competitors. Key details include:
- Special pigments – The RDX’s premium colors utilize the latest pigment technologies such as mica, premium metal flake, and nano pigments (super-high transparency) to achieve the desired visual effect.
- Additional coats – Applied over a primer, some colors utilize a double base coat to enhance the intensity of each layer. This technique replaces the customary practice of combining conventional pigments, metallic flake and nano-pigments in a single base coat. Separating and layering the pigment types in this way gives the paint a noticeably deeper and more lustrous appearance.
- Special clear coat – To further enhance the premium paint finish, a color-enhancing clear coat is used.
Color Lineup
Exterior Color
RDX
RDX Technology Package
RDX
A-Spec
RDX Advance Package
NEW PREMIUM: Majestic Black Pearl
•
•
•
•
NEW PREMIUM: Apex Blue Pearl
(Premium)
•
NEW PREMIUM: Performance Red Pearl
•
•
•
•
NEW PREMIUM: Canyon Bronze Metallic
•
•
•
White Diamond Pearl
•
•
•
•
Modern Steel Metallic
•
•
•
•
Lunar Silver Metallic
•
•
•
•
Fathom Blue Pearl
•
•
•
Gun Metal Metallic
•
•
•
LED Lighting
The 2019 RDX incorporates a wide range of available light-emitting diode (LED) exterior lighting features, including LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), LED Jewel Eye® headlights with seven light elements (previously five), LED side marker lights and LED taillights (except turn signals). LED side mirror-mounted turn signals are standard on all models, and LED fog lights are offered on the A-Spec and Advance Package. The new RDX A-Spec features piano black accents on headlights and taillights that give it a more aggressive appearance.
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
The RDX has bright, distinctive LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), which feature a wing shape positioned below and outside the LED headlights. Shaped to compliment the athletic stance of the new RDX, the LED DRL array flows gracefully outward from near the grille surround on both sides of the vehicle, then breaks radically up and back to mirror the beginning of the wheel arches. Eighteen inches long and artfully complimenting the body lines, the DRLs strongly define the front corners of the RDX. Helping to minimize componentry and unify the RDX’s design, the DRLs double as the turn signals.
LED Jewel Eye® Headlights with Auto On/Off
The 2019 RDX’s LED Jewel Eye® headlights provide improved nighttime illumination and visibility compared to contemporary high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. Comprised of four LEdDs per side, the low beams reach approximately 460 feet compared to approximately 360 feet for traditional halogen low beams, and the beam width is approximately 100 feet compared to approximately 65 feet for halogen low beams. The high beams use three additional LED lamps per side.
Besides improving driver confidence and active safety, the LED headlights use less energy, helping to enhance fuel efficiency by reducing engine loads. In addition, the LED headlights last up to three times longer than HID headlights and up to six times longer than halogen headlights – contributing to less frequent replacement and the associated cost savings. An auto on/off function is included, and the low-beams are also keyed to the remote key fob operation.
Auto High Beams
The new 2019 RDX standard auto high beam system uses a camera located on the windshield to continually scan for oncoming traffic. The system illuminates the high beams except when oncoming or proceeding traffic is detected and then automatically switches to the LED low-beams. Requiring no intervention or action from the driver, the auto high beam feature significantly improves nighttime illumination for enhanced active safety.
There are numerous advantages to the auto high beam system, including earlier driver detection of objects in the roadway during nighttime driving, which can lead to a reduction in stopping distances for a higher level of driver confidence.
The system functions when the headlight switch is in the Auto position and may be disabled and reactivated by a quick pull on the high-beam stalk. A green headlight icon with an “A” appears on the instrument panel when the system is functioning. The auto high beam feature automatically disengages during rainy conditions, when low beam lighting is preferable. Four consecutive wipes of the windshield wiper deactivate the system. Auto high beam then automatically reactivates when the rain ceases.
LED Fog Lights
The RDX A-Spec and Advance Package are equipped with LED fog lights to enhance visibility in inclement weather. The fog lights use three LED elements per side for optimal lighting, while a special mesh feature – inspired by the Acura NSX – surrounds the fog lights from above. Just as the LED headlights are framed from above by a sweeping bright trim, the fog lights are framed from below and sides by a dynamic bright trim form.
LED Taillights
All 2019 RDX grades feature large LED taillights (except turn signals) with a signature “dragon tail” flourish, enhancing the vehicle’s sporty new appearance. Utilizing a dynamic C-shape, the taillights are highly distinctive and extend from the outer corners of the rear fenders to the tailgate.
Lighting Technologies
Walk Away Door Lock
Included on all grades, the Walk Away Door Lock feature, new for RDX, automatically locks as follows: (1) when the driver leaves the vehicle; (2) when the key holder’s distance from the vehicle exceeds 6.5 feet for two seconds; and (3) when no other key is detected inside the vehicle. An audible tone sounds and the hazard lights flash to confirm that the vehicle has locked. The Walk Away Door Lock feature is programmable and may be turned on or off as the driver prefers.
Acoustic Glass
For the first time, laminated acoustic glass is used for the RDX’s windshield to help reduce noise entering the cabin. Tuned specifically to help attenuate wind-noise frequencies, the windshield glass uses an outer layer of 2.0 mm safety glass, a 0.7 mm thick middle layer of acoustic polyvinyl butyl (PVB), and a 1.8 mm safety-glass inner layer for a total thickness of 4.5 mm.
In addition, the RDX has 5 mm tempered front door glass (4.8 mm acoustic glass on Advance Package) and 5 mm tempered rear door glass. The tempered rear-quarter and tailgate glass is 3.5 mm thick. All glass specifications are upgraded compared to the previous-generation RDX.
Engine Compartment Isolation
Measures to isolate sound and heat emanating from within the engine compartment include front and rear rubber hood seals, foam insulators at the rear corners of the engine compartment, and a broad hood insulator panel.
Sound-absorbing Undercovers
Underneath the RDX, along both sides of the passenger cabin, are molded undercovers that help mitigate road and wind noise. The front wheel wells have plastic liners and the rear wheel wells have felt liners, to mitigate road and splash noise inside the cabin.
Smart Entry (standard) and 4-Door Smart Entry (Technology, A-Spec and Advance Packages)
Included on the Technology Package and above grades, 4-door Smart Entry simplifies approaching, entering and operating the RDX. For 2019, the door handles have been redesigned to include a Smart Entry Lock sensor.
Programmable Power Tailgate
The 2019 RDX comes standard with programmable power tailgate. Replacing the twin gas-charged strut and separate electric motor system on the previous RDX, the new RDX uses a spindle-less design utilizing small electric motor and worm gear fully housed in the roof area. The spindle-less system lends the tailgate area a cleaner appearance. The spindle-less system is also 1.8 lbs. lighter than the gear-driven system available on the previous-generation RDX.
The power tailgate can be operated via the remote key fob, from a button on the driver’s door panel, a button above the rear license plate (for opening) or from a button located inside the tailgate (for closing). When fully open, it provides 6 feet, 4 inches of headroom underneath.
Three distinct capabilities are included in the programmable power tailgate:
- Stop and Hold – The stop and hold feature allows the tailgate to be stopped at any desired position, which is useful when the RDX is parked in tight areas such as in a crowded parking lot, in a garage, or near a wall.
- Programmable Height – This function allows the RDX driver to set the opening height of the tailgate to their desired level by simply pressing and holding the tailgate switch for three seconds when it reaches the desired height.
- Hands Free Access (Advance Package) – New to the RDX with Advance Package is a Hands Free Access system. The power tailgate can be easily opened or closed simply by kicking a foot underneath the rear bumper.
Tailgate Construction
A high-strength resin tailgate outer “skin” on the 2019 RDX replaces the steel and plastic skin on the 2018 model. This new construction method for Acura retains steel for the inner structural tailgate skin, maintaining the essential strength and security of the tailgate. Two primary advantages for the new all-plastic outer skin include:
- Styling Freedom – Compared to the previous steel and plastic combination, the new construction technique allowed using a more aggressive and unified tailgate design, including an “all one piece” appearance, and freedom to use more varied creases and shapes.
- Reduced Weight – The new all-plastic outer tailgate skin saves 7.1 pounds compared to the previous tailgate skin.
Versatile Cargo Area
The 2019 RDX has a wide and deep cargo area offering 31.1 cu. ft. of storage volume with the second-row seats up (5.0 cu. ft. more than the 2018 RDX, counting underfloor storage), and 79.8 cu. ft. of storage volume with the seats folded (2.9 cu. ft. more than the 2018 RDX, counting underfloor storage). This positions the new RDX near the top of its competitive set in total cargo volume. The floor of the cargo area with seat folded is now virtually flat, greatly improving the ease of loading bulky cargo and the general utility of the new RDX. Additionally, a single-motion folding second-row seat feature makes it easy to convert the RDX from passenger to cargo-hauling use easier. (See the Interior section for more information.)
Relocated Temporary Spare (SH-AWD® standard, Technology and Advance Packages)
The T155/90D17 temporary spare tire (included on SH-AWD® standard, Technology and Advance Packages) is now stored beneath the vehicle and can be lowered by unwinding a cable reel with the jack crank arm. The jack, crank arm and a lug wrench are included on RDX with SH-AWD®. RDX front-wheel drive (FWD) and A-Spec grades have a tire-inflator kit in lieu of a temporary spare and jack.
Exposed Dual Exhaust Outlets
In another upgrade for the 2019 RDX, dual round exhaust outlets with bright finishers exit through the black rear lower fascia for a premium, sporty appearance. The A-Spec gets oversize exhaust outlets for a more aggressive appearance.