Top Safety Pick +

2017 Acura RDX

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with optional front crash prevention

2017 Acura RDX 4-door SUV — 2016 Acura RDX shown

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system	Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

Optional blind spot detection
Optional lane departure warning
Optional lane departure 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 2016-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Acura RDX 4-door 4wd

The Acura RDX was redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2016 models, the RDX was re-engineered with front-end and occupant compartment structural modifications to improve occupant protection in both small overlap and moderate overlap frontal crashes.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1529
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	5
Footrest (cm)	4
Left toepan (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	8
Parking brake (cm)	13
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	1
Lower instrument panel (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1529
Head
HIC-15	202
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	16
Maximum Nij	0.32
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	1.6
Right	0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.56
Right	0.66
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	52
Right	59

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Acura RDX Technology 4-door 4wd

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda. (The car tested by Honda was designated as a 2013 model but included all modifications applied to the 2016 models.)

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1504
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	4
Left (cm)	7
Center (cm)	4
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	0
Rearward (cm)	-3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1504
Head
HIC-15	342
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm)	25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	1.2
Femur force - right (kN)	0.2
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0
Knee displacement - right (mm)	0
Maximum tibia index - left	0.26
Maximum tibia index - right	0.44
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	85
Right	62

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Acura RDX Advance 4-door 4wd

The Acura RDX was redesigned for the 2013 model year. Beginning with 2016 models, the RDX was re-engineered with side structural modifications to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes.

Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
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

Test ID	VTS1504
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1504
Head HIC-15	133
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Compression (kN)	0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	34
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	27
Average deflection (mm)	24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.28
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.39
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.1
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.1
Combined force (kN)	3.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.5
L-M moment (Nm)	39
A-P moment (Nm)	125

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS1504
Head HIC-15	44
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.1
Compression (kN)	0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	29
Lateral force (kN)	1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	22
Average deflection (mm)	18
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.04
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.16
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.2
Acetabulum force (kN)	2.1
Combined force (kN)	2.2
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.8
L-M moment (Nm)	20
A-P moment (Nm)	92

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2013-18 models

Tested vehicle: 2013 Acura RDX 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	3,806 lbs
Peak force	20,843 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	5.48

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seats

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Power leather seats
Geometry
Backset (mm)	39
Distance below top of head (mm)	35
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	13.0
Head contact time (ms)	63
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	0
Max neck tension (N)	478

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

Headlights

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

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

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2017-18 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	93.0 m	None
Straightaway left edge	59.8 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	56.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	50.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	54.5 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	160.1 m
Straightaway left edge	137.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	73.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	64.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	53.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	53.2 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

Optional Collision Mitigation Braking System

Package name

Optional Advance Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2016-18 models

Superior

with optional equipment

This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 16 mph.

About the original front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	base
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 only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	base
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	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

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	hard-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	12
Clearance angle (degrees)	62
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	18
Clearance angle (degrees)	58
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Roof
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	6-8
Force (lbs)	24
Clearance angle (degrees)	58
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	18
Clearance angle (degrees)	56
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Rating applies to 2016-18 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	AcuraWatch Plus
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 only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	AcuraWatch Plus
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	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

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	difficult to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	hard-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	6-8
Force (lbs)	7
Clearance angle (degrees)	58
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	6-8
Force (lbs)	8
Clearance angle (degrees)	58
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Roof
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	6-8
Force (lbs)	8
Clearance angle (degrees)	51
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	6-8
Force (lbs)	9
Clearance angle (degrees)	54
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation