. Some of these features—like an upgraded sound system—can improve your overall driving experience, but a HUD can actually help keep you and your passengers safer while on the road.

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Acura head up display: what is it and do you need it?

As the name suggests, a head-up display is a system that projects valuable information onto your Acura’s windshield, within your line-of-sight—this allows you to keep your head up and eyes on the road without having to look down to check the instrument panel or center console.

This is achieved using a small projector, a series of cleverly-arranged mirrors, and a 10.5-inch translucent screen affixed to the windshield; with these tools, your Acura’s HUD is able to capture the info and images you’ve programmed it to display. Options can vary across models and the information itself is customizable, but in a general sense, you’ll be able to use your HUD to display such information as:

Current road speed

Speed limits

Traffic jam assist

Adaptive cruise control

AcuraWatch® alerts and warnings

Turn-by-turn navigation instructions

Entertainment menu (including Android Auto & Apple CarPlay®)

Along with the brightness, your HUD’s height can easily be adjusted to stay level with your eyes, which in turn helps prevent potentially fatal distracted-driving accidents.

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Which Acura models have a head up display (HUD)?

Acura first introduced the head up display in 2014 on the MDX, after which it became available—but not standard—for a few models. For the 2022 model year, a head-up display is available on the following models and submodels/package levels:

Acura MDX with Advance Package: available for an additional $13,950 as part of the Advance Package trim level, which also includes a surround-view camera, HD radio, leather and suede seats, and an upgraded 16-speaker sound system.

Acura MDX Type S with Advance Package: available for an additional $24,050 as part of the Type S Advance Package trim level, which also includes a surround-view camera, massaging front seats, wood trim, and a 25-speaker ELS audio system.

Acura RDX with Advance Package: available for an additional $10,000 as part of the Advance Package trim level, which also includes a surround-view camera system, LED puddle lights, premium Milano leather upholstery, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and more.

Acura RDX PMC Edition: available for an additional $12,700 as part of the PMC Edition trim, which makes the vehicle AWD and includes heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a remote start option.

Acura TLX with Advance Package: available for an additional $11,000 as part of the Advance Package trim level, which also includes a surround-view camera, upgraded leather seating and an adaptive damper system.

Can you add a head up display to an Acura?

If you already own an Acura but it isn’t equipped with a head up display, you’re not completely out of luck—a HUD can indeed be installed after the fact, but the actual cost will depend on whether you opt for a genuine Acura HUD or a universal aftermarket option.

Having a genuine Acura HUD installed is going to be the most expensive option, as the parts themselves cost more and the installation process is more complicated—you’re likely to pay somewhere between $1,000 and $1,500 for an integrated Acura head up display.

If, however, you don’t mind a retro-fitted aftermarket option, you can get a plug-in dashboard-mounted HUD for as little as $250—it may not be as fancy as the factory-installed head-up display, but it’ll get the job done.

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How to use the Acura head up display

If you’ve never used a HUD before, figuring out how to work one can be a bit daunting at first—if you’re having trouble, check the tip list below on how to use an older-model Acura HUD:

To turn your HUD on, press the “HUD” button on your steering wheel.

If you need to adjust the HUD’s position on your windshield, use the up and down buttons to move the display up or down.

To adjust the brightness, press and hold the “HUD” button and use the up and down buttons.

If you want to change the type of information displayed, use the right selector-wheel and scroll up to the Head-up Display Content screen, select it, and scroll through the different display options.

If you own a newer model Acura with a head-up display, refer to the following tips:

Interact with the HUD by pressing the “APPS” button on your steering wheel. From here, you can use the scroll wheel to change the driving view, add/remove apps, and reorder apps.

Move the HUD up or down using the “HUD TILT” button on the center console.

To adjust the HUD’s brightness, use the button located underneath the “HUD TILT” button.

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Is an Acura head up display worth it?

While it might not be considered essential to your driving experience—it isn’t standard, after all—a HUD may very well be worth the extra cost. A good head-up display can help keep you focused on the road and reduce the likelihood of your vehicle being involved in a serious accident.

One of the drawbacks, however, is it’s only available as a package option—which means it's bundled with an array of less-useful or less-practical features, such as a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. This is especially true for Acura vehicles, as packages and trim levels aren’t separate from one another, but one and the same, which significantly increases their prices.

Of course, the added features that come with moving up trim/package levels may be something you enjoy, but they won’t just increase the overall purchase price, but your

car insurance

costs as well.

Ultimately, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself—if the HUD’s added safety is worth the price hike then, by all means, don’t let us stop you. If, on the other hand, you’re looking to keep car-ownership costs to a minimum, you might want to skip this feature.

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