Acura Automobiles: Acura Leads in Safety as Only Luxury Nameplate with the Top U.S. Government Safety Rating Across Entire Model Line

  • 2016 RDX is the latest Acura to earn a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the NHTSA
  • For the sixth time in brand history, Acura earns the top safety rating across its entire model line
  • AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies available across the entire Acura lineup

With the just-announced top rating for the 2016 RDX entry premium SUV, Acura has claimed a leadership position as the only luxury automotive brand with an entire U.S. model line achieving the top U.S. government safety rating1. The 2016 RDX is the latest Acura to earn a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).  This is the sixth time in brand history that Acura has achieved the top U.S. safety rating across its entire model line – more than any other brand.

“Customers expect luxury vehicles to have top safety performance and Acura is leading the way with advanced safety and driver assistive technologies that helped us earn the top safety rating across the entire Acura model line,” said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager for the Acura Division. “Providing leading safety performance and technology has always been a core characteristic of the Acura brand and our commitment to Acura customers.”

Refreshed for 2016, the Acura RDX boasts more advanced safety technology than ever before. The AcuraWatch™ suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies is now standard on the Advance package and available on all 2016 RDX models. AcuraWatch™ can help improve the driver’s situational awareness and, in certain circumstances, intervene to help avoid a collision or mitigate its severity. New AcuraWatch™ features for the 2016 model include Collision Mitigation Braking System™, Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Information. AcuraWatch™ is now available across the entire Acura lineup.

To further improve frontal collision performance, the 2016 Acura RDX offers enhanced crash safety design with numerous changes to its next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure. Incorporated in the 2016 RDX, the next-generation ACE™ design utilizes a network of connected structural elements to help distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, enhancing occupant protection and crash compatibility in front collisions.

The 2016 model year of the luxury crossover received several new luxury improvements beyond safety performance, including a 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) cylinder-deactivation technology and a retuned AWD with Intelligent Control system featuring increased rear torque bias that further enhances dynamic stability and all-weather performance. The 2016 RDX is the latest to receive Acura’s signature JewelEye™ LED headlights and LED taillights, a restyled front and rear fascia and new wheel designs, among other prestigious upgrades.

The 2016 RDX has posted three consecutive months of record sales, in May, June and July 2015, and remains one of the best-selling models in its class. The RDX received top honors from Consumer Guide and U.S. News World Report for its class-leading value.

For More Information
Consumer information is available at www.acura.com. To join the Acura community on Facebook, visit facebook.com/Acura. Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of precision crafted performance-luxury vehicles through a network of approximately 270 U.S. dealers. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models – the RLX luxury flagship sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, and the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV. The next-generation Acura NSX mid-engine supercar will soon join the Acura lineup.  Acura was recently recognized by Edmunds.com for the fourth consecutive year as leading all luxury brands in retained value after five years of ownership.

# # #

1The 2016 RLX Sport Hybrid SH-AWD has not been rated by the NHTSA.