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2021 Acura RDX

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

2021 Acura RDX 4-door SUV
2020 Acura RDX shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use
+

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Acura RDX Advance 4-door 4wd

The Acura RDX was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN1804
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 3
Left toepan (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 1
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 1

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN1804
Head
HIC-15 78
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 20
Maximum Nij 0.15
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.6
Right 0.3
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.41
Right 0.36
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.4
Right 0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 61
Right 32

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Acura RDX Advance 4-door 4wd

The Acura RDX was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1812
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Footrest (cm) 6
Right toepan (cm) 4
Center toepan (cm) 3
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 3
Right lower dash (cm) 4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1812
Head
HIC-15 72
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 29
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 20
Femur (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 3
Right 2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.39
Right 0.42
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.8
Right 1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 71
Right 38

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1812
Head
HIC-15 31
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 18
Maximum Nij 0.12
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.40
Right 0.21
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 35
Right 47

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Acura RDX Advance 4-door 4wd

The Acura RDX was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1806
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 8
Center (cm) 5
Right (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 7
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) -1
Right (cm) -1
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 2
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1806
Head
HIC-15 125
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 23
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.8
Femur force - right (kN) 0.7
Knee displacement - left (mm) 1
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.26
Maximum tibia index - right 0.30
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.1
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 53
Right 54

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Acura RDX Technology 4-door 4wd

The Acura RDX was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1806
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -14.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1806
Head HIC-15 149
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 30
Lateral force (kN) 1.3
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 37
Average deflection (mm) 32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.18
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.46
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.9
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.5
Combined force (kN) 2.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.2
L-M moment (Nm) 48
A-P moment (Nm) 92

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1806
Head HIC-15 52
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 18
Lateral force (kN) 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 27
Average deflection (mm) 13
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.96
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.24
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.7
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.1
Combined force (kN) 1.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.5
L-M moment (Nm) 49
A-P moment (Nm) 105

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Acura RDX 4-door 4wd

The Acura RDX was redesigned for the 2019 model year. Two side 2.0 tests of the RDX were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by Honda. Ratings are based on both tests, but the vehicle specifications shown below are based on the Institute’s test.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2203 CES2236
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -18.0 -20.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2203 CES2236
Head
HIC-15 128 200
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3 1.5
Compression (kN) 0.2 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 29 32
Lateral force (kN) 1.1 1.0
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 39 38
Average deflection (mm) 35 35
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.34 3.55
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.57 0.58
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.7 3.1

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2203 CES2236
Head
HIC-15 266 206
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.3 0.3
Compression (kN) 0.4 0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 37 30
Lateral force (kN) 2.1 1.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 32 43
Average deflection (mm) 20 27
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.35 4.92
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.42 1.05
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 2.1 3.3

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Acura RDX 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,983 lbs
Peak force21,332 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.36

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 20
Distance below top of head (mm) 28
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 12.2
Head contact time (ms) 57
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 293

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Trim level(s)

  • All trims
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • All trims
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-25 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 114.1 m None
Straightaway left edge 52.5 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 80.6 m 8.2%
250m radius left curve, right edge 49.4 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 66.8 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 55.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 169.4 m
Straightaway left edge 156.8 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 87.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 67.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 67.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 67.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Collision Mitigation Braking System

Package name

  • Standard Acura Watch

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2019-21 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Collision Mitigation Braking System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-21 models

Advanced
Advanced

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 5 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 35 mph. A warning was issued 2.2 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-25 models

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimbase
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor and the ability to borrow lower anchors from the other seating positions.

Note: When anchors are borrowed, they aren't available to use in their designated positions.

Overall evaluation
+
extra LATCH positions
Vehicle trimbase
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
Can be borrowed from 1 and 3
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 93
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 85
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Lower anchor B
Lower latch is shared for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees)
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 21
Clearance angle (degrees)
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation