Update (September 12, 2024): ‘Sales’ updated and ‘More affordable Acura incoming’ added.
The CR-V Hybrid has been on sale in the U.S. for almost four years (March 2020). In late 2022, it underwent a full redesign, complete with a powertrain upgrade. However, contrary to some expectations, a platform twin/cousin in the form of an Acura RDX Hybrid is not planned.
Why the Acura RDX Hybrid is not in the pipeline
Dave Gardner, the former executive vice president of Business & Sales of American Honda, confirmed the company is not planning further Acura hybrid models. The premium brand will “bypass hybrids altogether and move directly to zero-emission vehicles,” Gardner told CNET in an interview in August 2022.
By “bypass” he meant no further launches, as there have been Acura hybrids in the recent past, such as the ILX Hybrid, NSX, and MDX Sport Hybrid, all of which have been discontinued. Most recently, the NSX retired in November 2022 after production concluded. The Acura ZDX, Acura’s first pure-electric car, arrived at U.S. dealers in May 2024. With it comes an exciting new era in the brand’s operations stateside.
All-electric model for the Acura RDX’s segment
In the second half of the decade, the Acura RDX may either gain a pure-electric powertrain or be replaced by an all-new electric compact SUV. The model for the segment will likely ride on the bespoke EV platform that will be part of the Honda e:Architecture, which will debut in a Honda model in the U.S. in 2026.
Batteries may be sourced from the Honda-LG Energy Solution JV plant in Fayette County, Ohio, which the two companies announced in October 2022. The American battery factory will have an annual production capacity of about 40 GWh.
Sales
145,655 Acura vehicles were sold in the U.S. in 2023, a 42.4% rise over 2022, in a year when supply chain issues affected vehicle production worldwide. Its most popular model was the MDX crossover (57,599 units), followed by the more compact RDX crossover (39,228 units). In 2024, as of August, the MDX is still in the pole position, with 33,571 units, and the RDX again holds the second rank, with 28,569 units.
The Acura RDX employs a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 272 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system are standard. The compact luxury SUV delivers an EPA-est. combined fuel economy of 23 MPG (EPA-est.). For reference, the Honda CR-V Hybrid’s engine delivers an EPA fuel economy of 40 MPG (FWD) and 37 MPG (AWD).
Customers looking for an electrified alternative to the Acura RDX may consider the Lexus NX Hybrid, which costs USD 46,300 (incl. USD 1,175 DPH fee) onwards and delivers up to 39 MPG (combined, EPA-est.).
More affordable Acura incoming
Acura’s immediate goal is to make its brand more accessible. It plans to launch a gas-powered sub-compact SUV called ‘Acura ADX’ as its new entry-level model in late 2024, Automotive News said in a report on April 8, 2024.
International Automotive News Editor since 2014, covering global motor shows, industry events, and test-driving various vehicles, with a focus on hybrid and electric cars in recent years.
