Compact luxury SUVs like the 2024 Acura RDX and Infiniti QX55 reside among one of the hottest-selling and most competitive segments. That’s because they offer the prestige of owning a premium-badged vehicle – a perk that at least means better coffee (should be!) at the dealership – along with a high quotient of luxury and tech goodies to make them especially appealing.
It doesn’t hurt matters when they also look the part, and the RDX and QX55 certainly do. While the Acura goes for a sharply creased and origami-style design, the QX55 is all about soft edges and gentle curves. This includes its tapering tail, a styling flourish meant to give the QX55 a coupe-like profile.
Of course, we wouldn’t be putting these SUVs through their paces if they had nothing to offer but pretty faces. To find out what else lurks beneath their sheetmetal, let’s explore the highlights of the Acura RDX and Infiniti QX55.
2024 Acura RDX
The 2024 RDX starts at $45,700, including destination charges. The range consists of the base RDX, RDX with Technology package, RDX A-Spec, RDX with Advance package, and RDX A-Spec with Advance package.
Standard features include a 10.2-inch infotainment display, heated front seats, wireless smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa, and a wide range of driver aids. Similar to the Infiniti QX55, the Acura RDX is a luxury vehicle with a value-conscious approach that makes it less expensive than many direct rivals.
Acura RDX Highlights
Feisty engine: During road tests, we’ve enjoyed wringing the 272-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder for all its worth and gently cruising in a calmer frame of mind. Paired with a refined 10-speed automatic transmission that provides seamless shifts, this is one enticing powertrain.
All-wheel drive is standard and super: Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system lives up to its lofty name. It’s now standard on the Acura RDX and provides outstanding grip in all types of driving conditions.
Adaptive suspension: Starting with the Advance package, the Acura RDX comes with an adaptive suspension system. Capable of monitoring various conditions and noting which drive mode has been selected, it sharpens the handling or provides a smoother ride. Basically, it takes the already admirable dynamics of the RDX to a higher level.
Technology package: We like that Acura doesn’t skimp on standard features. However, we also believe the Technology package represents a great bargain. For roughly $2,500 extra, it adds upgraded leather upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, wireless device charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and GPS-linked climate control. Go on, splurge.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the RDX models for sale near you.
2024 Infiniti QX55
The 2024 QX55 has a starting price of $51,500 including destination fee and can be had in three trims: Luxe, Essential, and Sensory. Why something “essential” is fancier than something “luxe,” well, we’ll leave that explanation to the marketing gurus. To its credit, while the Infiniti’s price is higher than that of the Acura RDX, the QX55 is bursting with standard features.
Newly added for the 2024 model year, a memory driver’s seat and wireless device charging are included on the base Luxe model. Every version of the QX55 comes with a 268-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder that sends power to all four wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Infiniti QX55 Highlights
Style and space: The trend to create a less utilitarian version of an existing SUV can strike us as strange. It’s a trend typically associated with German luxury brands. Infiniti joins the crowd by taking the more square-shaped QX50 and proceeds to chop the tail to create the sleeker QX55. This can result in a lot less rear passenger room and cargo volume. Thankfully, the QX55 bucks this trend (mostly). Yes, the QX50 has more of both, but the QX55’s second row maintains adult levels of comfort, and cargo space is still a reasonable 26.9 cubic feet.
ProPilot Plus: This is an adaptive cruise control system with lane centering and stop/go capability. It’s not a hands-free driving aid, though it does alleviate some of the fatigue of long-distance drives. It’s standard on every trim.
Adjustable rear seats: We already touched upon there being a price to be paid in terms of interior space due to the QX55’s coupe-like looks. Helping matters is a sliding and reclining rear seat that allows you to free up more headroom or legroom if needed. You won’t find that in the Acura RDX.
Surround-view parking camera: Considering how pretty the QX55’s standard 20-inch alloys are to behold, it seems a shame to risk curbing them while parallel parking. Infiniti must have been thinking along similar lines because a surround-view parking camera is another standard feature.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the QX55 models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Acura RDX and Infiniti QX55 make a push for luxury car shoppers looking for something as big on value as it is style. In terms of their dimensions, they have nearly identical cargo space, headroom, and rear legroom.
Even their warranties are closely matched, as are their EPA-rated combined fuel economy averages in a mix of city and highway driving. Dare we even mention they have one shared flaw, too? The RDX uses a touchpad on the center console to control infotainment functions. A touchscreen would be a better solution. Yet, while the QX55 goes the touchscreen route, its dual-screen layout looks dated in comparison to many rivals.
Conclusion
These two compact luxury SUVs are worth consideration thanks to their attractive shapes and expansive lineup of features. In a number of competing models – particularly those from German manufacturers – you could end up spending thousands more to get the same degree of content.
We’ve pointed out shared quirks with their in-cabin tech, so what gives the Acura RDX the win is its more engaging driving behavior. The Infiniti QX55 looks like it should be such a hoot to drive, except it’s just not as engaging as we’d like. There is a lack of precision in how its transmission operates, and this can translate to lots of engine drone when getting a move on.
Is it still pretty? Oh yes, very much so. Is the RDX better overall? For most drivers, yes.
| 2024 Acura RDX | 2024 Infiniti QX55 | |
| Starting Price | $45,700 | $51,500 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 272 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 268 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 rpm | 280 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy MPG | 21 city/27 highway/23 combined | 22 city/28 highway/25 combined |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | NA |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 inches | 110.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 187.4 inches | 186.3 inches |
| Width | 74.8 inches | 74.9 inches |
| Height | 65.7 inches | 63.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.0 feet | 36.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.0 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 36.9 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.0 inches | 39.6 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 38.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 60.0 inches | 57.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 57.0 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 29.5 cubic feet | 26.9 cubic feet |
