The compact crossover is currently the most popular SUV segment in the United States. In some ways, it takes the place of the hatchback in the American market, while retaining some of the more spacious qualities of larger SUVs. Plus, the compact crossover SUV segment is split into two tiers: mainstream offerings and small luxury models from premium brands.Nearly 20 years ago, Acura, Honda's luxury arm, introduced the RDX. The model was bred to join the aforementioned compact luxury crossover SUV segment, and it boasted a unique, turbocharged iteration of Honda's K-Series engine. The RDX managed to fly somewhat under the radar, despite boasting a few attributes that make it an extremely attractive used buy, such as great reliability and, of course, a turbocharger. The best part? You can have a 2012 model for less than $10,000. Here's How Much It'll Cost You Acura When the 2012 RDX, which was the final model year for the nameplate's first generation, hit showroom floors, Acura charged a base MSRP of about $32,895 before destination fees or taxes. While that seems low for an Acura SUV, keep in mind that this was 14 years ago. When adjusted for inflation, that $32,895 actually comes out to be about $46,815 in today's money. However, things have changed quite dramatically when it comes to price.These days, the 2012 RDX carries an average used price of approximately $9,281. That means the model has lost roughly 80% of its value, when adjusted for inflation, since launch. While many luxury models tend to depreciate a bit faster than most mass-market vehicles, this Acura seems to have misplaced a very large chunk of it. For bargain hunters, though, this massive loss can work to their advantage.Acura In the table below, we take a closer look at the '12 RDX's current resale value. At the same time, we're going to inject some competition into the mix. At the time, models like the Cadillac SRX, the BMW X3, the Volvo XC60, and the Audi Q5 were all positioned squarely within the RDX's sights. So, we'll also include the current average used prices, along with their original prices, in our comparison to really show just how much bang-for-your-buck the 2012 RDX actually offers: Loaded With Reliability Acura Should you be leaning towards buying, or even just looking at, a used 2012 Acura RDX, it's important that you do the usual digging and researching that goes along with buying a pre-owned car. Luckily, the '12 RDX boasts an extremely high level of reliability. According to RepairPal, the RDX ranks first among 11 compact luxury crossover SUVs for reliability, with an average annual repair cost of just $528. When compared to the segment average of $859, you can see just how well it holds up over time.Expounding on its reliability further reveals even more good news. RepairPal cites just a single, commonly reported issue with the '12 RDX: an oil leak. However, the actual oil leak is, reportedly, most often due to a worn oil pressure sensor seal, which is a fairly easy job for those with basic mechanical knowledge. When it comes to the average frequency of unscheduled repairs, the model scores a 0.4 compared to a segment average of 0.6. As for the chance of any repair being severe, the 2012 RDX rates at just 6%, compared to a segment average of 10%. Here's What Makes It So Reliable AcuraSitting underneath the 2012 RDX's hood is quite a rare engine, at least as far as mass-produced Honda mills go. It's a member of the famed K-Series engine family, and carries the specific code name "K23A." It's a 2.3-liter motor, and it's the only version of the K23 subtype produced. In addition, the K23A was installed only in a single model, the 2007-2012 Acura RDX. It's regarded as highly reliable, as it shares virtually all of its internals with the rest of the K-Series family. Mitsubishi produces its turbocharger, and its cylinder walls are lined with cast iron. A five-speed automatic transmission handles the K23A's power.Acura Another hallmark of the 2012 RDX is its optional all-wheel-drive setup. For Acura, its torque-vectoring AWD system is called Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). It's known for being extremely dependable and can send up to 90 percent of the RDX's power to the rear axle, depending on driving conditions. The tech can also send up to 100 percent of the rear axle power to either the left or right wheel. In addition, the proactive system can make adjustments before road conditions change.Buried deep within its bones is the Honda Civic, which also shares much of its chassis with the Honda CR-V. Its suspension system consists of MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup in the rear. Family Friendly With A Little Luxury Acura One last aspect of the 2012 Acura RDX that's worth noting is, well, it doesn't look half bad. Some cars built over a decade ago definitely look their age and don't exactly blend in with newer models. However, the '12 RDX still looks pretty good alongside newer cars on the road. Now, there are one or two drawbacks to its looks, namely its gigantic "power plenum" grille that Acura ran far away from in the mid-2010s. The rest of the model, though, still looks nice.Love or hate its looks, you can't deny that the Acura RDX offers great value for your money. It manages to be the most reliable compact luxury crossover SUV on the market while also employing a rare yet dependable turbocharged engine. Not to mention, you can have it with all-wheel drive, and due to its Honda-bred roots, when it comes time to sell it, you'll probably get a good chunk of your money back.You can't ask for much more than that from a 14-year-old used car.