Mazda CX-9 vs. Acura RDX
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Mazda CX-9 and Acura RDX contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Mazda CX-9 and the Acura RDX.
When comparing the Mazda CX-9's and the Acura RDX's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-9 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and interior volume. The Acura RDX has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Mazda CX-9's and the Acura RDX's specifications and ratings, the Acura RDX is a better car than the Mazda CX-9.
Pricing: A used 2023 Mazda CX-9 ranges from $24,480 to $34,299 while a used 2023 Acura RDX is priced between $33,800 to $45,494. For a new model, the Mazda CX-9's price is between $38,027 and $46,161, with the Acura RDX priced between $45,595 and $55,345.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Mazda CX-9 loses 50.7 percent of its value and the Acura RDX loses 47.8 percent of its value. This means the Acura RDX retains 2.9 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mazda CX-9.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Mazda CX-9 is 7.9 out of 10 while the Acura RDX's quality rating is 8.4 out of 10. This results in the Mazda CX-9 being ranked 9 out of 33 Best SUVs with 3 Rows and the Acura RDX being ranked 2 out of 28 Best Luxury Small SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Mazda CX-9 is 7.9 out of 10. For the Acura RDX the reliability rating is 8.3 out of 10. This gives the Acura RDX a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Mazda CX-9.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Mazda CX-9’s base engine makes 250 horsepower, and the Acura RDX base engine makes 272 horsepower. The CX-9 is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 507 miles. The RDX is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 479 miles.This gives the Acura RDX the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mazda CX-9 the advantage in maximum range. The CX-9 uses regular unleaded, and the RDX uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Mazda CX-9, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Acura RDX, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Mazda CX-9 and the Acura RDX have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
38027 - 46161
Starting MSRP:
38750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
36046
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
28750 - 41535
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
45595 - 55345
Starting MSRP:
41750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
49269
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
33400 - 77900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
29384
Price Range:
24480 - 34299
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
34361
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
24907 - 50072
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
248
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
56419
# Good or Great Deals:
128
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
39063
Price Range:
33800 - 45494
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
42583
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
28661 - 68947
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
942
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
36179
# Good or Great Deals:
387
Mazda CX-9 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Acura RDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-9
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.7 - 14.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.16
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura RDX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
13.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.0 - 14.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.322
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7552022033699368
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.1 - 27.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.01455261277826
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
4.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 14.6
Mazda CX-9 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 8Ranking
3 out of / 14Ranking
4 out of / 66Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
5 out of / 14Ranking
6 out of / 33Ranking
6 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 33Ranking
9 out of / 33Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
16 out of / 33Ranking
17 out of / 66Ranking
19 out of / 31Ranking
20 out of / 31Ranking
20 out of / 31Ranking
21 out of / 66Ranking
22 out of / 33Ranking
23 out of / 33Ranking
25 out of / 33Ranking
26 out of / 66Ranking
27 out of / 66Ranking
27 out of / 31Ranking
27 out of / 31Ranking
28 out of / 66Ranking
29 out of / 33Ranking
29 out of / 31Ranking
30 out of / 66Ranking
30 out of / 31Ranking
31 out of / 33Ranking
31 out of / 33Ranking
32 out of / 33Ranking
33 out of / 66Ranking
34 out of / 66Ranking
44 out of / 66Ranking
53 out of / 66Acura RDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 70Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 70Ranking
5 out of / 70Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 70Ranking
13 out of / 70Ranking
13 out of / 70Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
17 out of / 62Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 70Ranking
28 out of / 70Ranking
32 out of / 70Ranking
34 out of / 70Ranking
40 out of / 70Ranking
46 out of / 70Ranking
49 out of / 70Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Mazda CX-9 Trim Levels
Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Signature, Touring, Touring Plus
Acura RDX Trim Levels
Base, SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Advance w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Tech, w/A-SPEC, w/Tech
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
250 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
320 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
272 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 26 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 507 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
22 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
376 / 479 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
71.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
150.1 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
29.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
133.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4409 lbs
Width:
86.9 inches
Height:
69 inches
Length:
199.4 inches
Wheelbase:
115.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3775 lbs
Width:
74.8 inches
Height:
65.7 inches
Length:
187.4 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P255/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Machine Gray Metallic
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Silver
Sonic Silver Metallic
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Exterior Colors
Black
Majestic Black Pearl
Blue
Fathom Blue Pearl
Gray
Liquid Carbon Metallic
Red
Performance Red Pearl
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Sand
Black
Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment
Black
Ebony
