The Best Used Acura to Buy

The Acura RDX is considered the best used Acura to buy, with the 2010 and 2018 models providing especially good value.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Acura RDX, especially the 2010 and 2018 models, is the best used Acura to purchase. Reliable vehicles with excellent handling and safety ratings, RDXs provide a comfortable and athletic driving experience.
The Acura RDX is an excellent choice if you’re looking to buy a used car. Not only do RDXs retain their value longer than other cars in their class, but they also come fully loaded with standard luxury features, impressive safety options, and a roomy interior.
It’s easy to see why the RDX continues to be a popular choice, even for used models. If you’re looking for a list of pros and cons for purchasing a used RDX, look no further—
car insurance
super app
Jerry
has put together a useful guide to picking up a used Acura RDX. Our guide even includes a way to lower your
Acura RDX car insurance costs
, so let's dive right in!
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The best used Acura to buy: Acura RDX, 2010 or 2018

Acura’s RDX series is a gem in the rough landscape of used vehicles. With plenty of legroom, exceptional safety ratings, and all-wheel drive or front-wheel-drive options, there’s a lot to be said for this award-winning car.

What makes the Acura RDX a good car?

Winner of the 2013 Edmunds’s award for best-retained value, this
Acura's resale value
makes it an excellent investment. The RDX also received a five-star safety rating for head-on and side collisions. A higher
NHTSA safety rating
means you’ll likely pay less on insurance premiums.
There are a few factors to consider when determining the true value of a used vehicle—its cost of operation, safety rating, reliability, and customization options. Here’s how the Acura RDX will be rated in each category:
  • Cost of operation: You want to invest in a car that won’t cost you a lot to fill up at the gas pump. We’ll take a look at the
    Acura RDX’s fuel efficiency
    and the kind of engine it has to determine if it’s worth the gas prices.
  • Safety features: Used cars don’t always come with the most up-to-date safety features. We’ll see how the RDX holds up when considering its safety rating. 
  • Reliability: Keeping in mind that the Acura RDX models we’re looking at are from 2010 and 2018, we’ll see
    how long Acuras last
    on the road. 
  • Customization:
    When buying a used car
    , you won’t have as many customization options available as with a newer vehicle. We’ll see how the Acura RDX measures up in this category.
MORE: 7 things you should always check when buying a used car
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The true cost of owning a 2010 or 2018 Acura RDX

Taking a car’s purchase price, operation costs, reliability, and loan options into account will give you the true cost of owning a used vehicle.
Although it may be cheaper to buy a used Acura RDX, it’s not a perfect purchase. For one thing, the fuel economy and
car maintenance
costs may make operation more expensive than other used vehicles. However, the impressive safety rating and other factors may provide more affordable insurance and loan options.
Let’s consider each of these factors and how they contribute to the true cost of buying a used Acura RDX.

Purchase price

Used Acura RDXs are not expensive to buy. For the 2010 RDX, you can expect used models to cost $6,000 to $8,500. The 2018 RDX will likely cost you anywhere from $27,500 to $33,500.

Cost of operation

A reliable car with low depreciation of value, the Acura RDX isn’t going to cost you exorbitant amounts in operation costs.
With a good credit score and a decent down payment, you can keep your monthly
car loan
payments on a used Acura RDX relatively manageable. Although you may have trouble finding a loan for the 2010 model, you should be able to find a credit union or dealership that will give loans for older vehicles.
Because the RDX is a reliable car with high safety ratings, you should be able to save money on your premiums, especially if you apply for
car insurance discounts
. It’s also important to note that the Acura RDX retains its value over time, meaning you’ll be able to resell it at a higher price than you would another used vehicle. 
The Acura RDX’s four-cylinder engine uses more fuel than the average vehicle. The RDX’s poor fuel economy is the main downside of buying this used vehicle. 
Key Takeaway A reliable car with low depreciation and manageable loan payments, the Acura RDX’s only drawback is that it has lower fuel economy than other vehicles in its class.

Safety features of the 2010 and 2018 Acura RDX

The Acura RDX series is considered an impressively safe car to drive for its time. The RDX has a five-star safety rating when it comes to front and side crashes.
Here are some of the notable features that make the Acura RDX a stand-out from other used vehicles when it comes to safe driving:
  • Child door locks
  • Child seat anchors
  • Driver airbag
  • Passenger airbag
  • Front head curtain airbag
  • Front side airbag
  • Rear head curtain airbag
  • Stability and traction control
  • Rear parking sensors
The 2018 Acura RDX comes with an optional AcuraWatch Plus suite of active safety features. Paying a little extra for these features can help reduce your insurance premiums and give you added peace of mind when you’re out on the road.

Is the Acura RDX a reliable used car?

The Acura RDX consistently makes the top lists for the most reliable used vehicles. On
RepairPal
, it has a 4.5 out of 5 rating and is considered the best luxury compact SUV in terms of reliability.
Even the most reliable cars will need maintenance from time to time to keep them in good shape. The RDX is no exception—with proper maintenance, you can catch problems before they develop and keep your used car running for years to come.
On average, an Acura RDX will last between 250,000 miles and 300,000 miles—that’s around 20 years!
MORE: All the best Acura compact SUVs

Customization and styling 

For the Acura RDX, there are a few customization options you can consider when looking for the perfect used vehicle.
The RDX’s 279-horsepower V6-engine and six-speed automatic is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Depending on where you’re going to be driving and common road conditions, you may want to opt for the version that serves your needs best.
The 2018 RDX has additional safety features available through the AcuraWatch Plus package.
If the RDX doesn’t have the customization options you’re looking for, not to worry—there are other used Acura models that may fit the bill. Used vehicles from the
MDX
,
ILX
, or
TLX
series are worth checking out, as they’re highly-rated alternatives to the RDX.

How to find affordable insurance for a used Acura

Finding affordable
Acura car insurance costs
can pose a challenge—one that car insurance super app
Jerry
can help you overcome!
After a quick sign-up process, our
trustworthy insurance comparison app
uses information from your previous insurer to find the best rates available for your Acura. You won’t have to fill out any forms or make a single phone call. With Jerry, affordable car insurance options are at your fingertips, no hassle required!
Choose from 55+ top insurance companies—once you pick your policy, Jerry will take care of all of the paperwork needed to get you set up with your new insurance. And the best part? The average Jerry user saves $800+ a year on their car insurance!
“Thanks to
Jerry
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