2025 Honda Ridgeline vs 2026 Acura RDX

$40,150 · Crossover

$45,100 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Unleashing distinct flavors of utility and luxury, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline promises robust, honest capability while the 2026 Acura RDX dials in sharp, premium refinement. Ridgeline excites with its unique, truck-adjacent design, boasting 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque from its regular unleaded engine, paired with an AWD system delivering 21 MPG combined. This utilitarian hero clocks in at 210.2 inches long, offering that distinct capability blueprint. Conversely, the RDX appeals with sophisticated handling and efficiency, achieving 23 MPG combined while demanding premium fuel for its 272 hp engine, though it offers significantly less torque at 280 lb-ft. RDX is substantially smaller at 187.4 inches long, but dramatically outperforms the Ridgeline in usable space, offering 29.5 cu ft versus the Ridgeline's modest 7.3 cu ft. The $4,950 difference in MSRP signals Acura’s focus on near-luxury refinement over Honda's rugged versatility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

Budget is a primary concern and you prefer saving $4,950 upfront.
You prioritize a rugged, longer body measuring 210.2 inches for utility.
You wish to run exclusively on less expensive regular unleaded fuel.

Choose the Acura RDX if...

You need substantial enclosed storage, benefiting from 29.5 cu ft of cargo space.
Superior highway efficiency (27 MPG) and a slightly quicker shifting 10-speed transmission are priorities.
You desire a more compact vehicle footprint (187.4 inches length) paired with premium aspirations.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Ridgeline	Acura RDX
Length	210.2"	187.4"
Width	78.6"	74.8"
Height	70.8"	65.7"
Wheelbase	125.2"	108.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Acura
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	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Acura
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 6000 rpm	272 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Acura
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	—	✓
[object Object]	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Acura
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/24 MPG	21/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.0/468.0 mi.	359.1/461.7 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.5 gal.	17.1 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Acura
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	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Acura
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	10.2 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	215W	—
Speaker System	7	9
Subwoofer Count	1	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Acura
One-Touch Power Windows	2	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Moonroof Type	—	1st Row Power Glass
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Acura
Front Head Room	40.1 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	42.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	60.0 in.
Front Hip Room	59.1 in.	55.0 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
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

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Acura
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.7 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	57.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.6 in.	50.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Acura
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R	235/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	19 x 8.0 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Honda	Acura
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Ridgeline and 2026 Acura RDX.

How does the 2025 Honda Ridgeline’s powertrain compare to the 2026 Acura RDX?

The Ridgeline produces slightly more horsepower at 280 hp compared to the RDX's 272 hp, but the RDX counters with greater torque delivery at 280 lb-ft versus 262 lb-ft.

Why is the 2026 Acura RDX so much smaller than the Ridgeline?

The Ridgeline is significantly longer, measuring 210.2 inches in length, whereas the RDX prioritizes maneuverability with a length of 187.4 inches.

What is the impact of the fuel requirement difference between these two crossovers?

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline uses regular unleaded, potentially offering lower running costs, while the 2026 Acura RDX recommends premium fuel for its performance envelope.