BMW's ability to develop mind-boggling tech isn't something new. For example, the Bavarian automaker was the first to pioneer the magnesium-aluminum alloy crankcase in 2005. The brand also was the first to nail down piezo direct injection, which BMW calls "High Precision Injection", which first hit the market in 2007. Innovations aside, BMW has been a long-standing proponent of meticulous and rigorous engineering, fussing over the smallest details to create truly cutting-edge engines and other components.So, when you hear that Acura managed to out-gun the gunner, it comes as a bit of a surprise. As it stands now, the engine found within the 2026 Acura RDX is more powerful than the powertrain in the 2026 BMW X3. To make things better – or worse, if you're BMW – the X3 takes advantage of a mild hybrid system, and still can't hold a candle (power-wise) to the humble Acura. It seems that complicated German engineering has been trumped by simple, Japanese finesse. The RDX Has Always Been Cutting-Edge AcuraBack in the mid-2000s, Acura was looking for a way to diversify its SUV lineup. At the time, SUVs were becoming more and more popular in the States, and virtually every automaker was trying to get in on the action as best it could. Acura's answer was the RDX, a subcompact luxury crossover SUV. However, Acura wasn't just interested in bringing yet another subcompact model into the fold, it needed to stand out in some way.Acura The answer to that desire was its engine. Turbocharging wasn't exactly Honda's or Acura's forte back in the 2000s, as it's only recently been widely adopted by the Japanese automaker. The '07 RDX, however, came equipped with a boosted four-banger. The mill is a 2.3-liter K23A1 unit bred specifically for the RDX, and was never used in any other Honda or Acura model. It belongs to Honda's K-Series engine family, and its 2.3-liter displacement has yet to be replicated within the K-Series group.Apart from its unique displacement and reason for production, the K23A1 takes advantage of a Mitsubishi-built turbocharger. The unit is capable of producing up to 13.5 psi of boost safely. It also utilizes Honda's i-VTEC variable valve timing on the exhaust valves.The first-gen RDX as a whole also offered Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system as standard, although it was offered as an option beginning in 2010, with front-wheel drive becoming the standard drivetrain configuration.Thanks to its use of a turbocharged engine – a highly unusual choice for a Honda vehicle at the time – and its standard all-wheel drive, the first-gen RDX managed to be quite a standout at the time of its introduction. Its pioneering spirit dwindled a bit once the second-gen RDX came about in 2013, but Acura got right back into the swing of things with the introduction of the third, and current, generation. The Current State Of Affairs AcuraThe second-gen RDX, equipped with a J-Series 3.5-liter V6, came and went without much fuss. For its third generation, Acura decided to ditch the V6 in favor of another inline-four engine. This time, the mill selected for use was a 2.0-liter four-pot. It was part of the K-Series family, much like the K23A1, this time carrying the code name K20C4. The "C" character denotes a turbocharged engine, and several entrants belong to the K20C subfamily.Acura As for the third-gen RDX, it employs the use of a Mitsubishi turbocharger, much like the K23A1. This time, though, it can manage up to 20.8 psi of boost without skipping a beat. The mill also boasts new-age Earth Dreams Technology, Honda's program for creating tech that balances both fuel efficiency and power output. Cast-iron cylinder sleeve liners, VTEC variable valve timing, and a forged crankshaft and forged connecting rods. It's hooked up to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and either front-wheel drive or an optional SH-AWD system.As for the rest of the model, it offers things like Acura's A-Spec package. With it, the third-gen RDX gains a unique set of wheels, an aggressive exterior body kit, metal-clad paddle shifters mounted on the steering column, and the option to include a red leather-trimmed interior peppered with black Alcántara. In addition, buyers are granted a standard 10.2-inch infotainment screen hooked into Acura's Ture Touch Pad Interface, which is basically a laptop trackpad utilizing absolute positioning, wherein finger placement corresponds with the cursor's placement on the screen.For a base, front-wheel drive '26 RDX, Acura has set an MSRP of $45,100. If you're looking for any upgrades like, say, SH-AWD, you can potentially shell out close to $55k. The destination charge is set at roughly $1,350. Here's How The Bimmer Stacks Up BMWIt's striking, but it can't hold up to our humble Acura.The 2026 BMW X3 takes advantage of a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine. Like the Acura, it also sports a turbocharger, which can produce up to 23 psi of boost. The mill itself belongs to BMW's B48 engine family, and is one of 15 total iterations, all of which are broken up into their specific power outputs. It's a closed-deck mill, meaning the top end of the block is reinforced, which allows for more strength at the expense of heavier weight. It's also under-square in its bore/stroke setup, wherein the piston stroke is longer than the cylinder bores are wide, lending itself to more torque output.BMW Hooked right up to the X3's B48 engine is a mild hybrid system. A tiny electric motor is employed to assist the actual B48 engine, which runs on a 48-volt system. In total, the mild hybrid setup has a lithium-ion battery capacity of 0.9 kWh, and allows its fuel consumption to be slightly better than it would be without the assistance. Taking the mill's power and transferring it to its all-wheel drive drivetrain is an eight-speed automatic built by ZF.We'll take a look at how the 2026 BMW X3 compares to the 2026 Acura RDX in the table below...As evidenced by the table above, the Acura just barely manages to eke out a lead in every aspect besides torque output. However, the difference in horsepower is more than just slight, as the Acura takes the cake by 17–24 total ponies. The Understated RDX Wins First Prize Here AcuraWell, it's not all that understated when finished in that Apex Blue Pearl paint color, but the model itself is a bit underdog-ish. This is especially the case when you pair it up with an entire BMW SUV, something you'd expect to wipe the floor with, if it had the chance. It seems that the exact opposite is the case. The RDX is more powerful, simpler in its construction (no mild hybrid system to fret on down the road), quicker and, maybe most importantly, quite a bit cheaper.So, if you fancy yourself a small, luxury-oriented crossover SUV, and you've managed to find yourself at a crossroads between these two, the RDX looks to be the obvious choice.