2025 Acura RDX vs 2025 Ford Explorer
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Acura RDX offers a sharp, premium experience wrapped in a tauter package, while the 2025 Ford Explorer brings muscular power and imposing stature. Acura entices with 272 horsepower and a $44,700 entry point, emphasizing precision engineering, noticeable in its slightly thriftier 23 MPG combined efficiency. Ford counters aggressively with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, utilizing regular unleaded fuel to back up its lower $40,050 MSRP. The Explorer’s RWD-based architecture and larger footprint (198.8 inches long) suggest a commanding road presence, contrasting with the RDX’s more compact 187.4-inch length. However, the RDX squeezes out a decisive advantage in cargo utility, boasting 29.5 cu ft compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft. Performance junkies will gravitate toward Ford's higher output, while RDX loyalists prefer Acura's established badge and slightly superior fuel economy.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
Choose the Acura RDX if...
- Buyers prioritize maximum usable cargo capacity in a smaller footprint (29.5 cu ft).
- A premium, performance-oriented badge like Acura is a primary purchasing factor.
- A preference for AWD architecture over the Explorer's standard RWD layout is desired.
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- Maximum engine output (300 hp) is essential for merging and passing.
- Securing the lowest possible purchase price is critical, saving $4,650 upfront.
- Drivers value the road authority of a larger vehicle (198.8 inches long) built around a rear-wheel-drive foundation.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Acura RDX | Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 187.4" | 198.8" |
| Width | 74.8" | 78.9" |
| Height | 65.7" | 69.9" |
| Wheelbase | 108.3" | 119.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 2 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | — |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags (with Head Protection Chamber) | — | ✓ |
| Third Row Head Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.0 L | 2.3 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6500 rpm | 300 hp @ 5500 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
| [object Object] | ✓ | — |
Fuel
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 21/27 MPG | 20/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 23 MPG | 24 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 359.1/461.7 mi. | 358.0/519.1 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 17.1 gal. | 17.9 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Universal Remote Transmitter | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| 3rd Row Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry | — | ✓ |
| Three Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 10.2 in | — |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 9 | 6 |
| Subwoofer Count | 1 | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 2 |
| Moonroof Type | 1st Row Power Glass | — |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.7 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.0 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 60.0 in. | 61.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.0 in. | 59.2 in. |
| Seat Material: Leatherette | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Passenger Seat Power Adjustments | 8-way | — |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | — |
| Passenger Seat Lumbar Support | Power | — |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Seat Material: Premium Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.0 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.0 in. | 39.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 57.0 in. | 61.9 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 50.0 in. | 59.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
| Manual Folding Third Row Seat | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 19 x 8.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/55R19 | P255/65R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Acura | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 6 yr./ 70000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 4 yr./ 50000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Acura RDX and 2025 Ford Explorer.
How much more powerful is the 2025 Ford Explorer compared to the 2025 Acura RDX?
The Explorer packs a punch with 300 horsepower, which is 28 horsepower more than the Acura RDX's 272 hp rating. This translates to quicker acceleration potential for the larger Ford crossover.
Which crossover is more fuel efficient, considering both fuel type and MPG?
The 2025 Ford Explorer achieves slightly better combined efficiency at 24 MPG and runs on regular unleaded. The Acura RDX achieves 23 MPG combined but requires premium unleaded, increasing running costs.
What is the major physical difference in size between these two crossovers?
The Ford Explorer is considerably longer at 198.8 inches versus the RDX’s 187.4 inches, and it sits taller at 69.9 inches compared to the Acura’s 65.7 inches.
Does the Acura RDX offer significantly more utility space than the Explorer?
Yes, the 2025 Acura RDX offers substantially more measured cargo space at 29.5 cubic feet, beating the 2025 Ford Explorer’s 18.2 cubic feet by over 11 cubic feet.
Is the difference in starting MSRP significant between the two models?
There is a notable price gap, with the 2025 Ford Explorer starting at $40,050, saving the buyer $4,650 compared to the 2025 Acura RDX's $44,700 base price.
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