DecodedCars2021 Acura RDX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 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
- 3 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 complaints117 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 30 for similar models — most often about the engine.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 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), 9% worse than the 2021 small SUV average of 26.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 RDX — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 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 | -9% | $3,400 | 370 |
| RDX FWD A-SPEC | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 27 / 24 | -9% | $3,400 | 375 |
| RDX AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | -4% | $3,550 | 385 |
| RDX AWD A-SPEC | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 26 / 23 | -4% | $3,550 | 387 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Acura RDX SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.5% |
| 2021 Acura RDX SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15% |
Similar 2021 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Acura RDX (this car) | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | 326 mi | Not rated | 23 |
| 2021 Land Rover Defender | 19 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2021 BMW X3 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 10 |
| 2021 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2021 Volvo XC90 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2021 Porsche Macan | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (3)
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.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Dec 2, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V939000 · 279 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.
- Risk
- Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.
Not every 2021 Acura RDX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Acura RDX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 23 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Service Brakes — 15 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Power Train — 13 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 30,000 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 2021 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 |
| 2020 RDX | 24 | 186.6 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 349 |
| 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 →