DecodedCars2020 Acura RDX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 22 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 186.6 in
- Curb weight
- 4,035 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Many owner complaints349 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 28 for similar models — most often about the visibility/wiper.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Acura RDX is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 187 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,035 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (22 city / 28 highway), 6% worse than the 2020 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 349 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 RDX — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 RDX →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 186.6 in | 74.8 in | 65.7 in | 108.3 in | 64.2 / 64.6 in | 4,035 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDX FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | -6% | $3,400 | 370 |
| RDX FWD A-SPEC | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 27 / 24 | -6% | $3,400 | 374 |
| RDX AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | -2% | $3,550 | 385 |
| RDX AWD A-SPEC | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 26 / 23 | -2% | $3,550 | 385 |
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.6 MPG2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Acura RDX SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15% |
| 2020 Acura RDX SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.5% |
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Similar 2020 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Acura RDX (this car) | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | 316 mi | ★★★★★ | 24 |
| 2020 Land Rover Defender | 19 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2020 BMW X3 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 16 |
| 2020 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2020 Volvo XC90 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2020 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (5)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Feb 1, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V064000 · 750,114 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly · Mar 9, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V158000 · 448,613 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
- Risk
- An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Mar 25, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V215000 · 624,552 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Not every 2020 Acura RDX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
349Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
6,500 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Acura RDX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility/Wiper — 84 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Engine — 55 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 27 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Acura RDX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other RDX years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RDX | 23 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 RDX | 23 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 30 |
| 2024 RDX | 23 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 12 |
| 2023 RDX | 24 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 24 |
| 2022 RDX | 24 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2021 RDX | 24 | 186.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 117 |
| 2019 RDX | 24 | 186.6 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 440 |
| 2018 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 78 |
| 2017 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 80 |
| 2016 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 2 | 41 |
| 2015 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 413 |
| 2014 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 235 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →