Few luxury cars handle my soup as well as our long-term Acura RDX. Driving performance is incredibly important, but entertaining daily drivers will fall short if they can’t meet certain everyday tests—in my case, one is how well it handles a to-go container of soup. For its segment, the 2019 RDX is one of the best in interior space and functionality.
Whenever we visit our favorite Mediterranean restaurant, I leave with a decent-sized to-go container of creamy chicken with leek soup. Mmm. With the Acura, I don’t need to force the container into the covered storage area between the driver and front passenger, put it on the floor, or use the cargo area, either. Our long-termer holds my soup snugly at the bottom of the center stack’s storage area underneath the gear-shift buttons. That open compartment is also where you’ll find a second USB outlet (rear-seat passengers get their own two USB outlets), a 12-volt outlet, and aux-in connectivity. Aside from holding soup, a small pizza box, or an occasional light sweatshirt, I don’t use the space often. Still, every time I need somewhere to put something small, I’m glad I’m driving an RDX.
The Acura scores more points on my evening commute. The adaptive cruise control isn’t as effective or as customizable as that of my last long-termer (a 2017 Audi A4), but our RDX’s cupholders are truly versatile. Beside the two cupholders is a slim and open rectangular storage area with a USB outlet where you can charge your phone and store a wallet or some keys. To pass the time in Los Angeles rush-hour traffic, I eat carrots. With the rollable cover closed over the cupholders, my bag of boredom carrots sits conveniently on a high perch, with my charging phone and other small items out of sight underneath. Another cool touch: The soft armrest at the back of the center console can be moved forward over the cupholders, helpful if you’d rather have a comfortable place to rest an elbow instead of a second cupholder. Although no one should rush to buy the RDX because its storage solutions are so helpful, I appreciate knowing I don’t have to sacrifice versatility when upgrading to a luxury crossover.
The same is true with the RDX’s backseat. The backrest doesn’t recline, but there’s room under the front seats for feet, and the floor is nearly flat, which increases the amount of perceived space. Sit behind the front seat adjusted for your driving position, and chances are you’ll think the RDX is spacious, more so than some luxury crossovers in this price range. I wish the backs of the front seats weren’t hard, but the Acura’s back-seat package is still mostly a strength.
Walk to the cargo area, and the positive picture continues. Leave the rear seats in place, and you’ve got 31.1 cubic feet of cargo space. It’s sizable even before you pull one of two cargo-area levers to fold down the left or right side of the rear seats. The real magic begins once you lift up the cargo floor, revealing a long, hidden storage compartment 6 inches deep. Lift up the cover more, and you’ll see another smaller storage area (and a shallow third one). Innovative storage solutions don’t scream, “I’ve made it,” but luxury-car buyers often pay a hidden tax by eschewing mainstream cars, in the form of interior space. The RDX helps minimize that spatial sacrifice.
Where we see room for improvement is with the RDX’s awful rear visibility. There’s no easy fix here—and properly adjusted side mirrors help—but we’d welcome any improvement that doesn’t result in the next RDX resembling the Subaru Forester or Honda Passport—two sensible and spacious models with boxy designs. In the RDX, even fold-down rear-seat headrests (for when they’re not in use, as in some XC60s) or slimmer hinges for the power liftgate would be appreciated. If you don’t mind the bold 2019 RDX’s subpar outward visibility, know that the luxury crossover’s interior functionality absolutely lives up to the “utility” part of sport-utility vehicle.
Read more about our long-term 2019 Acura RDX A-Spec:
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