Acura RDX: 0-60 & Quarter Mile Times

‍What Are The 0-60 MPH and Quarter Mile Times?

There isn’t much of a variance between the model years for these times, as illustrated by the table below - statistics found at mycarspecs.com.

What are the 0 - 60 mph and Quarter Mile Stats of Other Models?

The 2022 Acura RDX has a very stout time for a crossover SUV, clocking times equal to or better than many higher-priced competitors.

How Are 0- 60 mph Times Calculated?

The car is placed on a track and timed going in opposite directions so that certain variables such as wind and driver performance can be canceled out. The times are averaged and listed as the accepted 0-60 mph time.

What Are Some Factors that Affect 0-60 mph Ratings?

Several factors can affect 0-60 times for any car, not just an Acura RDX. Let’s look at a few of them.

Aerodynamics of the Vehicle

Now, as you might expect, the sleeker a car is, the less wind resistance is created. The experts measure the coefficient of drag, which is just a fancy term for how much wind drag the car has. Many designers are experimenting with ways to create a less wind-resistant vehicle with air intakes, aero curtains, and sloping lines, all designed to channel the way air flows around and through a vehicle.

Weight

But wind resistance is just one of many components. Weight also plays a factor. The heavier a car, the more power it will take to move the mass. Since its inception in 2007, the weight for the RDX has stayed near 4,000 lbs, which is why you don’t see too much variance in the 0-60 times.

Power to Weight Ratio

The 0-60 mph times aren’t just a matter of figuring wind resistance and weight. There is also  the power of a vehicle to consider. The lower the power-to-weight ratio is, the faster the car will scoot down the track. The size of the engine and the power output it produces will affect the times, which is why engineers focus on things like horsepower and pound per foot of torque. Since it takes a certain amount of power to push the mass of a vehicle forward, this is why the power-to-weight ratios are essential. Many of Acura’s competitors have V6 engines, which deliver more power, and that’s why some of them clock faster times.

Tires

The vehicle has to be able to deliver the power from the engine to the tires. Tires that have higher traction or make more contact with the road surface will be able to grip the pavement better. The increased traction can result in shaving tenths of a second off the clock, which won’t mean much on the Interstate, but it matters to engineers.

Weather on the Day of the Run

It might not make much difference, but weather can play a crucial role 0-60 times. Tires have a more challenging time getting a grip on wet pavement than dry, and the colder the temperature, the more power is needed to move the mass. (Remember your high school physics class?)

Driver Variables

Even though testing companies try to account for the subtle differences in driver performance, they can’t factor out all. The driver might hesitate when he stomps his foot down on the gas on the run when he didn’t in the first race. He might wiggle the steering wheel as the car lurches forward, which also costs time.

Suspension/Transmission

How heavy the suspension is can affect 0-60 times, as can the type of transmission present. Automatic transmissions have shorter gears at low speeds than the manuals, so they tend to clock at faster speeds.

What Effect Will the New Hybrid Engine Have?

New for 2023, Acura is unveiling a hybrid engine for the RDX. The engine complex is the same 2.0 L that is currently powering the Honda Accord. If the stats for the Accord are close, it means 212 horsepower with 6.7 seconds for 0-60 mph and a quarter-mile time of 15.4 seconds. This hearty engine will be enough for the average daily driver and save them some money at the pump.

What are the Safety Ratings for Acura RDX?

The 2022 Acura RDX has a 5-star safety crash rating from the NHTSA, the highest rating it gives. The IIHS rating for the vehicle is right in line with a “G” (Good) rating. IIHS lists the RDX as one of its Top Safety Picks. In addition, IIHS tested the Forward Collision-Avoidance system for this vehicle, and both performed exceptionally well, avoiding collisions at 12 mph and 25 mph.

Over the years, the RDX has had one of the lowest mortality rates of any SUV. The IIHS estimates that the RDX has averaged a four per one million death rate, compared to 34 per million in the average car or SUV.

Why is this important? Well, you’ll pay less insurance for a safer car than one that isn’t. And then there is your family to consider. They are more likely to survive a horrific crash in an RDX than something less safe like a Honda HRV, which earned a less than good rating from IIHS for the 2022 model year.