When did the Acura RDX go to a 4 cylinder?
The Acura RDX shifted to a four-cylinder engine with its 2019 redesign, adopting a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and dropping the previous V6. Earlier generations used a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four (2007–2012) and a V6 (2013–2018). This article traces that timeline and explains what the change means for performance and efficiency.
Engine history by generation
The RDX's powertrains span three generations, with two different cylinder configurations before settling on a four-cylinder in 2019.
- 2007–2012: 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 (four-cylinder)
- 2013–2018: 3.5-liter V6
- 2019–present: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (four-cylinder)
The jump to a four-cylinder in 2019 marks a clear shift away from the prior V6 setup, aligning the RDX with broader industry trends toward turbocharged four-cylinders in compact luxury SUVs.
The 2019 switch: what changed and why
With the 2019 refresh, Acura redesigned the RDX around a smaller, turbocharged four-cylinder. This change aimed to improve fuel economy, reduce weight, and offer a more modern torque-rich acceleration profile while maintaining competitive power figures for daily driving and highway merging.
Performance and efficiency
Across the 2019–present RDX lineup, the 2.0-liter turbo four delivers around 270–275 horsepower and roughly 280 lb-ft of torque, providing strong midrange response and confident highway passing. A modern automatic transmission supports smooth shifts, and all-wheel-drive variants balance performance and efficiency with varying tuning and gearing. Exact outputs can vary slightly by model year and drivetrain configuration.
Practical implications for buyers
- Enhanced fuel economy compared with the V6-era RDXs, especially in front-wheel-drive configurations.
- Improved turbocharged torque for refined, everyday acceleration.
- Alignment with current industry trends toward smaller displacement engines with turbochargers.
In summary, the big pivot to a four-cylinder occurred with the 2019 model year, and since then the RDX has continued with turbocharged four-cylinders across its trim levels, while maintaining competitive performance within the compact-luxury class.
Summary
The Acura RDX moved to a four-cylinder engine with its 2019 redesign, changing from a prior V6 setup to a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. This shift marked the most significant engine evolution for the RDX in its current generation and aligned the model with contemporary efficiency and performance expectations in the compact-luxury SUV segment.
