When you’re willing to spend a little more on a luxury compact SUV instead of something entry-level, you expect a little extra. For example, you may want a premium interior and a few extra bells and whistles, and it would be nice to have a vehicle that feels more assured, planted, and safer on the open road. And while many examples in this class may be perfectly adequate in terms of power, cabin aesthetics, and overall performance, they may still feel largely like a practical family crossover wearing better clothes.But some vehicles in this class can stand apart and feel far more assured when tackling a tightening on-ramp, such as a third generation Acura RDX in SH-AWD form. And as strong used examples are now available at an attractive price, this RDX could be one of the more interesting alternatives to a used Mercedes-Benz GLC or BMW X3. The RDX Isn't Just Quick But It Feels Willing AcuraAcura re-introduced the SH-AWD option to the RDX lineup for the 2019 model year. Sitting within the premium compact SUV market, it featured a turbo engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a well-designed chassis, and a very strong and effective torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. It came onto the market as a two-row luxury SUV with useful cargo space and a comfortable cabin, sitting squarely in the middle of familiar premium crossover territory.But what sets this RDX apart is the way it responds in various driving conditions. The design team gave the new generation a dedicated platform instead of simply dressing up a mainstream SUV. It had a wider stance, a stiffer body structure, and carefully adjusted suspension, which gave the RDX a much sharper edge than many buyers might expect from this type of vehicle.The steering is a major part of that presentation. Acura engineers made it direct enough to give the driver confidence without making it heavy for the sake of feeling sporty. As a result, the front end responds very well while the body feels planted during any change of direction. Crucially, Acura avoided that "disconnected" feeling that some drivers feel aboard other luxury SUVs. And all of this means that the RDX is not only quick enough to compete in this category, but it can also make an ordinary road feel unexpectedly entertaining. The RDX Features A Strong, Usable Turbocharged Powertrain Acura Underneath the third-generation RDX is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four turning out 272 horsepower. It has 280 pound feet of torque with plenty at the low-end, so the vehicle feels very alert in daily driving. Testing showed that the RDX could get to 60 mph in the mid-six-second range, which makes it generally competitive compared to some of its German rivals.The 10-speed automatic is good at tailoring its gearing for a variety of everyday conditions on the open road. It moves smoothly through traffic but reacts quickly enough should the driver need a quick downshift. The transmission is generally smart enough in automatic form, but if a driver wants to enjoy their adventure a little more, paddle shifters are available.The RDX also feels swift, responsive, and assured, according to a CarBuzz review, and generally settled compared to some other compact luxury SUVs. With some of those other SUVs, the transmission system may be constantly trying to decide what kind of driving experience to deliver, but with this particular Acura, drivers can simply sit back and enjoy the experience.The RDX rides on a MacPherson strut front suspension and a five-link rear suspension setup. While this is not particularly exotic, Acura has tuned everything carefully, so the RDX feels composed. Buyers can also get adaptive dampers on higher trims for another layer of flexibility, but even the base setup delivers a more deliberate, controlled feel than some rivals can provide in this direct category. And that’s where the RDX can really start to compete for attention. It has its own personality and the proposition can get even better when you consider the AWD system. SH-AWD Provides A Dynamic Advantage Acura The biggest feature that helps turn this vehicle from a competent, luxury SUV into something better is Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. It sends up to 70% of torque to the rear axle and actively distributes the rear torque from side to side. When cornering, the system can overdrive the outside rear wheel to help the vehicle rotate through a corner rather than simply scrabbling to make progress.These features make SH-AWD far more dynamic than many other options in the marketplace. Those other options could be perfectly fine when it comes to launching cleanly in poor weather or maintaining grip should the road surface change. But with the SH-AWD approach, the RDX should be ready for anything and poised to react before things become dramatic.Drivers may not notice anything out of the ordinary during normal driving, where the RDX simply feels secure and composed. But should they push harder, they may find that this vehicle changes direction with a lot more enthusiasm than its size and market positioning may suggest. Good Reliability Makes The Handling Argument More Important Acura Anyone looking for a used luxury SUV in this general category will want to know how affordable it's going to be from a long-term point of view. In the case of the RDX, they should be able to benefit from Honda's broader engineering base and reputation. This vehicle's 2.0-liter turbo engine is very similar to other turbo four-cylinders featured in other Honda and Acura products, and that might give it a more reassuring ownership profile when lined up alongside European luxury alternatives.Both the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC are excellent vehicles, and they're not automatically unreliable by any stretch of the imagination. However, premium German SUVs can certainly become costly as the miles take over, especially when it comes to cooling systems, suspension parts, electronics, or drivetrain components. Here, the Acura may have an advantage in terms of service familiarity, parts availability, and typically lower maintenance complexity than those German rivals.That long-term reliability argument may also invite buyers to treat this RDX as a solid daily driver. That perception may give certain owners more freedom to enjoy their RDX without worrying about the consequences in the future. With some other more performance-oriented used luxury SUVs, they may pause to consider whether a particularly enthusiastic weekend drive could lead to quite expensive repair bills ahead.However, there are still some considerations for people who are looking at one of these vehicles, and one of the most contentious features is probably the True Touchpad interface. Acura thought this would be an unusual way to try and control the infotainment screen, but not every driver likes the approach. Some may adapt quickly, but others might prefer a conventional touchscreen or rotary controller, and this is one cabin feature that a prospective buyer should think about before purchasing. For Less Than $30,000, The RDX Is Hard To Argue Against Acura When price enters the discussion, the case for this RDX becomes quite strong. For example, you can often find 2021 SH-AWD examples, including the desirable A-Spec versions, for less than $30,000, depending on condition, location, mileage, and equipment. That compares to an original MSRP of up to $47,000 (for A-Spec) when new. Buyers with that money to spend may also look at an older BMW X3 or Mercedes-Benz GLC, and those German choices have a more prestigious image and plenty to brag about in this sector. However, the Acura may be attractive in a different way, with a more approachable ownership profile long-term, as well as an engaging driving experience.In summary, the Acura RDX may not be the loudest choice in the compact luxury SUV segment, but it can still score highly for everyday practicality and long-term dependability. It may not have the status pull of a BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but it offers good driver engagement, a clever torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, and a reputation that should make ownership feel less worrisome.And while lots of compact luxury SUVs can check the comfort, style, and practicality boxes, far fewer of them can make a simple corner more memorable while still remaining the sensible choice.Sources: Acura, Honda,