2020 Acura RDX Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.
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The Acura RDX has been well-received since its initial debut, with many compact SUV-lovers praising its style, interior space, and overall performance. For the past several generations, the luxury SUV has been available with a single trim, although there are three optional package upgrades to take advantage of.
The 2020 Acura RDX looks to be no different, with the Standard, Technology, A-Spec, and Advanced packages all being on offer. While each of the packages provides varying degrees of value for money, much of this can depend on which features matter more.
This is primarily driven by the core differences between each model, with the changes looking to tweak the performance of the vehicle while bringing a few notable upgrades to both the interior and exterior. Though there are a few notable differences between each of the 2020 Acura RDX packages, they also bring a few significant similarities.
Perhaps the largest of these is that they all utilize the same engine, a turbocharged two-liter that operates across four cylinders. While this is quite a powerful engine, coming in at 272 horsepower and an impressive amount of torque, the lack of optional upgrades in this department could be a negative for many potential buyers.
Alongside this is that there’s no difference in fuel economy between any of the package levels, aside from a small 1mpg increase with the A-Spec option. Another similar quality across each of these packages is that they all offer the choice of the standard automatic transmission or Acura’s patented Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system.
While many people might expect large changes to the exterior depending on the chosen package, there’s much less than many drivers would believe. As a result, the majority of the 2020 Acura RDX’s package options look relatively similar, although there are relatively minor changes, depending on the chosen level.
However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the base Acura RDX is quite an attractive compact SUV. This should mean that the majority of potential buyers will need to look toward the infotainment differences between each of the packages. While there’s a noticeable increase in price between each level, there’s quite a substantial increase in standard features with each.
As a result, many potential buyers will see a large amount of value for money with most of these packages. However, the variety of package levels available for the 2020 Acura RDX could lead to many people struggling to choose between them. The decision doesn’t need to be as hard as many buyers may assume, as each of the models should jump out to certain demographics.
This does mean that knowing the differences between them is vital to making a choice. There are quite a few notable features that every potential owners should be aware of before buying.
Compare the 2020 Acura RDX Standard Vs Technology Trim Levels. What’s The Difference?
There are quite a large number of areas where the base 2020 Acura RDX stands out, with these becoming apparent from the exterior. Compared to many other compact SUVs, the RDX is quite visually appealing, even among the luxury SUV niche.
This can be seen across the board with the vehicle’s exterior, which gives off quite a sporty style that’s enhanced through a variety of minor details. One of the more notable of these is seen with the Acura RDX’s 19-inch multi-spoke wheels, which feature a glitter silver appearance. Though this isn’t the most significant feature that buyers will focus on, it’s something that helps to highlight and enhance the rest of the SUV.
Further enhancing this are the Dragon Tail Taillights that come as standard with the base model and mount stoplights, with these also being LED-illuminated and featuring wiper integration and on/off headlight technology.
As for the minor detailing with the level, buyers should be able to take advantage of Chrome window molding, dual exhaust outlets, and a gloss black spoiler. As a result, the exterior of the 2020 Acura RDX has quite a sleek appearance, which should attract quite a large number of people.
However, the SUV’s exterior is just the icing on the cake, as there are quite a large number of interior features to capitalize on. These focus both on giving off a large sense of luxury while also providing a significant amount of comfort, which can first be seen with the leatherette-trimmed sport seats.
Further enhancing both of these traits is the fact that the seats feature lumbar support, which should provide a large amount of comfort, especially over long distances. The seats also feature 12-way power systems to adjust the seating, although these are only available with the front row of seats.
One of the last notable features that focus on the seating arrangements is that these come heated as standard, which is quite a noticeable benefit, especially when compared to other SUVs on the market. Perhaps the last major comfort-focused feature with the base 2020 Acura RDX is a climate control system split into two zones.
What further enhances this system is that it includes both an air filtration and humidity control functionality. Though not overly significant, these programs add quite a nice touch to an already beneficial feature. A steering wheel that’s wrapped in leather also helps to improve the Acura RDX’s comfort and luxury.
Ease of use and overall functionality are other areas where the compact SUV has a noticeable number of advantages. One of the more significant of these is a keyless remote access system which utilizes Acura’s patented Personalized Settings capabilities. Alongside this is a pushbutton ignition system.
When coupled together, these two features could make entering and starting the 2020 Acura RDX quite easy and straightforward. These are further improved through the variety of controls that are mounted onto the steering wheel, of which the majority will be quite attractive to the majority of buyers.
Some of the largest of these include a Bluetooth hands-free system, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keeping assistance program, among many others. The steering wheel controls also include access to the majority of infotainment features that come as standard. Further rounding out the overall interior style is a brushed aluminum trim, which could be quite attractive for many people.
Alongside this is the fact that the base 2020 Acura RDX package has much more interior space than many people would think. While this is primarily seen in the front row of the vehicle, there’s more space across the board than some drivers would expect from a compact SUV.
While the 2020 Acura RDX Technology package has quite a large increase in price compared to the base model, there’s quite a variety of differences that justify the cost. While the majority of this is seen in the style upgrades that are available, there are also a few notable tech and infotainment differences.
The first of these is a switch in the fabric used across the interior, with this now being a leather-trimmed, with this being a premium Milano grade leather that’s also been perforated. The material also includes contrasted stitching, which further enhances the overall sense of luxury seen in the vehicle.
This should also help to improve some of the comfort that’s seen with the additional features that come as standard, many of which carry over from the base model. However, what enhances the comfort levels the most is the inclusion of a climate control system that’s GPS-lined. While many people mightn’t take advantage of this too much, it can make the air conditioning and overall temperature much more appealing.
While the technological features are somewhat similar between the 2020 Acura RDX Technology and the base model, there are a few notable additions. One of the largest of these is a voice recognition system that quite a large number of owners will find useful.
Alongside this, the sound system has also gotten an upgrade here. While the base model features a nine-speaker system, the Technology package has a 12-speaker system that offers much higher-quality audio.
Compare the 2020 Acura RDX Technology Vs A-Spec Trims. What’s The Difference?
The 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec package offers almost all of the same features as the Technology, although it also includes a few notable extra features. Many of these will become quite obvious from the first glance, as there are a variety of changes to the exterior of the vehicle.
While each of these is relatively minor, they build up to give the A-Spec package quite a sleeker appearance than its lower-end counterparts. The first of these changes can be seen in the dark Chrome lighting details that come as standard with the model, as well as the addition of LED fog lights.
Another minor tweak here can be seen in the window molding, which goes from the Chrome seen in the previous models to a somewhat more appealing black. The exhausts have also been changed, with the 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec now featuring detailing here that’s exclusive to this package, which can also be said of the new bumpers at the front and back.
One of the last notable changes with the A-Spec package is seen in the wheels, which are now larger at 20-inches and also feature shark gray coloring. However, it’s the interior of the upgraded package that will set it apart in many potential buyer’s eyes, with there being quite a large number of them to draw in some interest.
The first of these can be seen in the fabric used with the seating. On top of being leather-wrapped and featuring contrast stitching, the model also includes piping, which adds a certain amount of texture to the interior without compromising on comfort. Alongside this is that the front seats aren’t just heated, but also ventilated to enhance the overall comfort levels that drivers should see.
While the interior of the lower-end packages features a brushed aluminum trim in the interior, this has been changed to a darker color with the 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec, which could make it somewhat more visually appealing. Some of the only other notable additions here are an ebony headliner, sport pedals, and a new color addition to the gauge cluster.
Compare the 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec Vs Advanced Trim Levels. What’s The Difference?
There is an extensive number of differences between the 2020 Acura RDX Advanced package and the A-Spec. This is split quite evenly across both the interior and exterior of the compact SUV. As a result, the majority of potential owners should be able to take advantage of quite a large variety of benefits.
This is also one of the more stylish packages available, as it features some of the more attractive trims and detailing of the entire range. While the wheels on the Advanced package are slightly smaller than the A-Spec’s at 19-inches, they’re made from an interwoven silver and medium-alloy material, which gives them a somewhat more attractive appearance.
This also extends to the interior trim that comes with the 2020 Acura RDX Advanced package, which is now an olive ash color and looks much more stylish the many of the other options.
Alongside this has been a few tweaks to the heating systems seen in the compact SUV’s seats. While the driver’s and front passenger’s seats are still heated and ventilated, the heating element also extends to the rear row, which could be quite beneficial for the majority of drivers. The driving wheel also receives a heating upgrade, which many drivers may want to take advantage of.
Which Trim to Choose?
Each of the 2020 Acura RDX package levels offers quite a large number of benefits. However, these do come with quite a large price difference with each, which would lead many buyers to question which of these packages offer the best value for money.
Though the base model is naturally the cheapest one of the options, it doesn’t seem to be the most cost-effective. Instead, this honor could go to the Premium package, which offers quite a large number of features at quite a surprisingly low increase in price. As such, it’s one of the more recommended options for drivers who are looking for a more budget-friendly option.
While many people might think that the 2020 Acura RDX A-Spec would offer a significant amount of cost-effectiveness, this doesn’t seem to be the case. As a result, it could be recommended that drivers avoid the option. In contrast, if there are features that many drivers may want to have, then they could be better off choosing the RDX Advanced package.
This is primarily because it’s much more cost-effective, given how many features it has on top of the Premium. As a result, the choice between Acura RDX package to choose should be relatively easy for many drivers, once they know what features they’re looking for.
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