With an SUV market flooded with models these days, how can automakers separate themselves from the pack? Produce a limited edition version flossing more blacked-out features and bright orange paint borrowed from the NSX — that’s one way to do it.
Since its third-generation redesign a couple years ago, the Acrua RDX has been the luxury brand’s top-selling SUV, with the sporty A-Spec trim leading the way. Not much changed in 2020, but for 2021, the compact luxury crossover gains a limited PMC Edition following in the footsteps of the TLX and MDX.
Check out our full 2019 Acura RDX review here to see what’s new with the redesigned model.
PMC Edition Availability
Limited to 360 units, the 2021 Acura RDX PMC Edition goes on sale October 2020, built out of the company’s Acura Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Ohio.
Expect pricing to start in the low $50,000 range, according to Acura.
Features: PMC Edition gives 2021 RDX A-Spec blacked-out looks but no performance upgrade
Built on a 2021 RDX A-Spec with it’s more aggressive styling, along with the Advance Package’s premium touches added on, the PMC Edition fails to ramp up performance. So expect the same 2.0L VTEC engine with 10-speed auto transmission as the non-PMC versions, along with available all-wheel drive.
The only real difference is styling, which includes a lot of black paint replacements. From the gloss black roof panel with panoramic moonroof and gloss black door handles to gloss black Diamond Pentagon grille with body colour grille surround up front, black chrome exhaust finishers in the rear, and black door mirrors with auto-dimming.
Riding on 20-inch split-5-spoke wheels with black lug nuts — yes, also in gloss black — the PMC Edition also gains a numbered serial plate denoting the 360 units.
Of course, that vibrant orange paint job found on the RDX’s NSX cousin — dubbed Thermal Orange Pearl — does look super sharp on an already handsomely styled compact hauler putting down a respectable 272-hp at 6,500 rpm.
Inside, more of the orange and black theme continues with a leather-wrapped steering wheel with A-Spec badge and orange stitching, metal A-Spec badging and orange stitching on the exclusive floor mats, and distinct black leather seats (16-way power adjustments) with black suede inserts and orange stitching. The 10.5-inch colour Head-Up Display remains intact.
