carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,545–$40,620 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2017 Acura RDX at 7.2/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.9/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.5/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $31,545–$40,620, 20 MPG, seating 5, the Acura RDX sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 7.3/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2017 Acura RDX is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2017 Acura RDX ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,545 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 13%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the RDX model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $37,505 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $37,505 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $36,760 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $36,015 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $35,270 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $34,525 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.4/10 | $33,780 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $33,035 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $32,290 | Read review → |
| 2017 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $31,545 | |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $30,800 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.0/10 | $30,055 | Read review → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Equipment / Other / Labels 18/04/2017 · 17V256000 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017 CR-V and Acura RDX vehicles. The Certification Labels on the affected vehicles were printed with ink that may be inadvertently wiped away with an alcohol solvent. As such, these vehicles fail to… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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Explore the full lineup of Acura models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
