Should You Take the Acura RDX Off Road?
The Acura RDX is a rough and ready off-road SUV, capable of taking on a variety of terrain. Learn about the RDX’s off-roading specs here.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
With 8.2 inches of ground clearance, available all-wheel drive, and plenty of low-end torque, the Acura RDX’s off-road rating is solid as a rock.
If you’re looking to hit the trails, you have to think about more than just four-wheel drive. But determining if your vehicle’s specs meet the requirements to get down and dirty can be pretty confusing.
To save you time and confusion,
Jerry
, the super app built to save drivers money on car insurance
, has collected everything you need to know about the Acura RDX’s considerable off-road chops. From ground clearance to approach and departure angles, we’ll detail all the specs that contribute to this car's off-road rating. Plus, we'll even help you save money on your Acura RDX car insurance costs
!Can the Acura RDX go off road?
Most definitely—the Acura RDX can go off road! While it might not be the off-road aficionado’s first choice for four-wheeling, the Acura RDX has just the right amount of off-road oomph to get you through a variety of terrains.
Starting at $41,795, the RDX is cheaper than many competitors in its class. However, if you’re looking for adaptive suspension dampers that can make off-roading a truly comfortable experience, you’ll need to spring for the
Advance Package
, which increases your bottom line by $10K.All that aside, let’s see what makes the Acura RDX a good off-road option.
Ground clearance
If you plan to leave the asphalt, you need good ground clearance. Also known as ride height, this is simply the measure of the distance between the lowest point on your vehicle and the road.
Your ground clearance informs whether you can maneuver over rough terrain and fallen objects. It also tells you how high your center of gravity will be, so you have an idea of how your car will handle when it’s on the road.
If we’re being perfectly honest—and we are—the Acura RDX’s ground clearance could be better for off-roading. It’s superior to most other SUVs in its segment, though.
All trims offer 8.2 inches of clearance, which is perfectly competent for an off-road SUV. But true off-road aficionados will tell you that if you really want to get nasty, you should have between 9 and 11 inches of clearance.
Torque
When you’re looking for speed, you want horsepower, but when you’re looking for pulling, pushing, or climbing power, you want torque. Having a powertrain that can generate high torque at a low rpm—or low-end torque—is your best bet for getting through mud, up steep inclines, or over large obstacles.
The Acura RDX’s 2.0-liter turbo-four engine can produce up to 280 lb-ft of torque at just 1,600 rpm. This is pretty respectable but not as impressive as other vehicles in its class.
Tires
If you’re planning to leave the asphalt, you need
all-terrain tires
. They offer the deeper, more open tread pattern needed to grip slick and uneven surfaces on the trail. The Acura RDX is equipped with all-season tires. This means they’ll last longer than comparable all-terrains versions, but they don’t have what it takes to handle anything rougher than a dirt or gravel road.
Be sure to outfit your RDX with appropriate all-terrain tires if you plan to do some serious off-roading.
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Drivetrain
Off-roading requires all-wheel drive (AWD), and all RDX trims are available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Opt for AWD to hit the trails with confidence.
Angles
If you spend all your time on the road, you’ve probably never even heard of angles of approach and departure. Here’s how they’re defined:
- Approach angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference.
- Departure angle: The maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference.
Even if you haven’t heard of them, they are what often makes or breaks an off-road vehicle.
The Acura RDX’s approach and departure angles are 17.2 and 22.7 degrees, respectively. This is enough to handle the gentle rises and dips you’ll encounter on the streets, but it’s not enough to handle more than the most basic of trails.
Off-road rating: Rough and Ready
Per
Jerry’s
super-technical DIRT rating system, broken down in the table below, the Acura RDX’s off-road rating is R—Rough and Ready.
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The Acura RDX is built to handle basic off-roading, like dirt roads, level trails, and perhaps a bit of mudding. However, if you’re looking to get dirty, you should consider another option.
The best off-road alternatives to the Acura RDX
There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to compact SUVs with off-road capabilities. The Acura RDX has some respectable off-road chops, but if it’s not exactly what you need, here are some alternatives you might consider:
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | $25,195 | For about half the price of the RDX, the Subaru Forester is a great all-around pick for a small SUV with standard AWD and ample ground clearance on all models. | |
Best luxury alternative | $44,495 | The Audi Q5’s turbo-four and Quattro AWD make it an excellent luxury alternative to the Acura RDX. | |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | $44,350 | It’s just not a Land Rover without legitimate off-road chops, and the Discovery Sport offers some of the best you can get in a luxury compact SUV. |
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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
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