What do you think of when you hear “sport utility vehicle?” For many buyers, the term SUV brings to mind more cargo space, a higher seating position to see over traffic, and, above all, the kind of stability and grip you only get when all four wheels have power.
Acura is the latest automaker to realize that Americans have little appetite for SUVs without all-wheel drive (AWD). For the 2024 model year, the brand’s RDX compact luxury SUV will be sold only in AWD configuration.
While better grip in challenging road conditions is appealing, the switch to AWD-only is not good news for shoppers looking to get into a model from Honda’s luxury division as cheaply as possible. The 2024 RDX starts at $44,050 plus a $1,195 destination and handling fee. That’s more than $2,000 higher than last year’s price. The added costs reflect the price of the AWD system that used to be optional.
But automakers often make this switch when they realize few people are buying the car without the AWD system. Chances are good that Acura eliminated front-wheel drive (FWD) as a choice because almost no one was choosing it.
Acura’s trademark Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system is a critical favorite, making the cars more fun to drive on a dry road as well as safer on a slippery one.
2024 Acura RDX Pricing:
Acura charges a mandatory $1,195 destination fee on all RDX models, not included in the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) below. The RDX remains the only Acura product without a high-performance Type S model.
| Trim Level | MSRP |
| RDX | $44,050 |
| Technology | $46,700 |
| A-Spec | $49,700 |
| Advance | $51,850 |
| A-Spec Advance | $53,850 |
