2025 Acura RDX vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$44,700 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between luxury refinement and maximizing savings often boils down to priorities when shopping for premium crossovers. The 2025 Acura RDX starts at a notably higher MSRP of $44,700 compared to the 2026 Mazda CX-90's $38,800 entry point—a $5,900 difference favoring the Mazda right away. Performance figures are close, but the CX-90 leads slightly in pull with 332 lb-ft of torque versus the RDX's 280 lb-ft, even though the RDX only requires recommended premium fuel. Interestingly, the Mazda is more fuel-efficient, achieving 25 MPG combined versus the Acura's 23 MPG combined. However, the RDX offers a smaller footprint (187.4 inches long) compared to the much longer CX-90 at 200.8 inches, which could impact tight city parking, though the Acura sacrifices substantial cargo space (29.5 cu ft vs. Mazda’s 14.9 cu ft).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mazda CX-90

Better combined fuel economy (25 MPG) and a lower starting price make the CX-90 easier on the wallet for daily trips.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Acura RDX

The RDX offers significantly more usable cargo space at 29.5 cu ft compared to the CX-90’s 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 provides considerably more torque at 332 lb-ft, suggesting a punchier feel when accelerating.

💰 Best Value

2026 Mazda CX-90

Saving $5,900 upfront while achieving better MPG and slightly more torque provides superior base value.

Choose the Acura RDX if...

You prioritize a more compact overall exterior size for easier maneuvering in urban environments.
You want slightly better highway fuel economy figures at 27 MPG versus the Mazda's 28 MPG (based on city/highway split differences).
You prefer the Acura badge and its associated expected maintenance experience.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Your budget strongly favors the $5,900 lower starting MSRP.
You need the ability to use regular unleaded gasoline instead of the RDX's recommended premium fuel.
You need the longer body at 200.8 inches, assuming that translates to better passenger or ride stability.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura RDX	Mazda CX-90
Length	187.4"	200.8"
Width	74.8"	78.5"
Height	65.7"	68.3"
Wheelbase	108.3"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Acura	Mazda
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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Acura	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	272 hp @ 6500 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Acura	Mazda
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Acura	Mazda
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/27 MPG	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.1/461.7 mi.	425.5/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.1 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Acura	Mazda
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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Acura	Mazda
Infotainment Display	10.2 in	10.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	9	8
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	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Memory Card Slot	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Acura	Mazda
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Acura	Mazda
Front Head Room	40.0 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	42.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.0 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	55.0 in.	56.2 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	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	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Mazda
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	57.0 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.0 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Acura	Mazda
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.0 in	19 x 8.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	265/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy

Suspension

Feature	Acura	Mazda
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Acura	Mazda
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.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Acura RDX and 2026 Mazda CX-90.

Does the lower cargo capacity in the CX-90 mean it’s a smaller vehicle overall?

Not entirely; the 2026 Mazda CX-90 is much longer at 200.8 inches compared to the 2025 Acura RDX at 187.4 inches. However, the RDX dedicates more of that length to cargo storage, offering 29.5 cu ft versus the CX-90’s 14.9 cu ft.

How significant is the difference in engine output between these two crossovers?

They are very closely matched in power, with the RDX offering 272 hp and the CX-90 offering 280 hp. The Mazda pulls ahead in torque, delivering 332 lb-ft compared to the Acura’s 280 lb-ft.

Which vehicle has a better expected annual fuel cost based on specs?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 is projected to be cheaper to fuel due to its better combined efficiency (25 MPG) and its ability to run on regular unleaded gasoline.

If I drive long distances on the highway, how do the MPG figures compare?

The Mazda posts slightly better highway ratings at 28 MPG, while the Acura achieves 27 MPG on the highway, though both require AWD transmissions.

Why is the RDX recommended for premium fuel when its horsepower is slightly lower?

The 2025 Acura RDX recommends premium unleaded to achieve its stated 272 hp and 280 lb-ft output, typical for higher-compression turbocharged engines in this class.