This week I am behind the wheel of the 2026 Acura ADX A-Spec Advance AWD, finished in Double Apex Blue Pearl II with a really sharp Orchid interior with blue inserts. This is Acura’s newest and smallest SUV, slotting below the RDX as the entry point into the Acura SUV lineup. It gives Acura something it really needed: a smaller, more affordable luxury crossover for people who like the Acura badge but do not need the size or cost of an RDX or MDX. It is a city-friendly SUV with a premium look, a lot of equipment, and enough personality to keep it from feeling like just another small crossover in a crowded parking lot.
For 2026, the ADX continues as Acura’s newest small SUV offering, and this A-Spec Advance AWD tester is the most loaded version. It has the sporty A-Spec appearance treatment, the Advance Package equipment, all-wheel drive, and a bold interior that does a lot to make the ADX feel more special than its size would suggest.
Performance
Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine rated at 190-horses and 179 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable transmission. Paddle shifters are included, and my review vehicle has all-wheel drive. Around town, the ADX feels responsive enough, especially in Sport mode, and the small size makes it easy to maneuver and park. Out on the highway, however, you will wish for more power when passing or merging. The engine is fine for everyday driving, but this is not a quick SUV. The chassis feels willing, but the powertrain is more “let’s get there safely” than “let’s see what this thing will do.” For most, it will be ample!
Ride and Drive
Where the ADX does better is in the way it handles. Steering is light but precise, the body feels solid, and the ride quality is good considering the 19-inch wheels. It is easy to drive, easy to see out of, and easy to place in traffic. I did notice more road noise than I would like in something wearing an Acura badge, but overall, the ADX feels composed and predictable. Acura’s Integrated Dynamics System gives you drive modes, including an Individual mode, and Sport mode sharpens the response a bit.
Exterior
The exterior is sharp, especially in this Double Apex Blue Pearl II paint. The A-Spec treatment brings black trim, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and a sportier overall look.
The front end is unmistakably Acura with the large grille and slim headlights, and the black wheels work well with the blue paint. From the side and rear, it has a compact stance, but the styling gives it a more upscale look than its size might suggest.
Interior
Inside is where this SUV makes its best argument. The orchid-and-blue interior is bold, attractive, and different without being goofy. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and the driver gets a 12-way power seat with memory and 4-way power lumbar. The passenger seat is 4-way power. Both front seats are heated and ventilated, and the heated sport steering wheel is part of the Advance package. The panoramic moonroof really opens up the cabin, and the light-colored interior keeps it from feeling cramped.
Standard features, not counting safety equipment, include leather-trimmed seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 9-inch color touchscreen, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control with air filtration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, rear console vents, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated power mirrors with turn signals, 19-inch alloy wheels, and 235/45R19 all-season tires. That is a strong standard-feature list and helps make the ADX feel like a true Acura, not just an entry-level model with a fancy badge.
The Advance Package adds the 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, Google built-in, Alexa built-in, hands-free power tailgate, surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, heated sport steering wheel, power-folding side mirrors, remote engine start, and rain-sensing wipers. The A-Spec package adds the sportier exterior styling, ventilated front seats, sport pedals, ambient LED lighting, rear USB ports, rear cargo cover, and LED fog lights. These are not nickel-and-dime add-ons on this sticker; they are baked into the trim level.
The center stack and console are refreshingly easy to use. Acura gives you a real shifter, a physical volume knob, hard Home and Back buttons by the touchscreen, and actual climate-control knobs below the screen. I like that. I have reviewed too many vehicles where changing the temperature feels like applying for a building permit. The console also has the drive-mode selector, Auto Stop/Start defeat button, hill-descent control, electronic parking brake, and brake hold. It is clean, logical, and easy to figure out without a 40-minute YouTube tutorial.
The 9-inch touchscreen is not huge by today’s standards, but it is clear and easy to use. Google Maps is built in on this trim, and the screen also gives you Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, vehicle settings, trip computer information, and system updates. The Bang & Olufsen sound system is excellent for this class, and the digital driver display is attractive, although Acura could make it a little more customizable for people who like more information in front of them.
Rear-seat room is better than the outside size suggests. Two adults will be fine back there, and three across is possible, but this is still a compact SUV, not an MDX. Rear passengers get air vents and USB ports, which is the right answer in 2026. Cargo space is rated at 23 cubic feet behind the second row and 54 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, which is useful for a small luxury SUV.
Safety
Safety equipment is extensive. AcuraWatch includes adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, road departure warning, and low-speed braking control. The sticker also shows blind spot information with rear cross-traffic monitor, surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a 5-star overall government safety rating.
Fuel economy is good, but not hybrid-good. The EPA rates this AWD version at 25 miles per gallon city, 30 highway, and 27 combined, which is OK for an SUV with all-wheel drive.
Verdict
The ADX is best viewed as a well-equipped, right-sized, easy-to-live-with luxury crossover. It is not fast, and it does not feel as premium as the larger Acura SUVs, but it looks good, the interior is attractive, the controls make sense, and the feature content is strong. I would like more horsepower and a quieter cabin, but I also like the size, the visibility, the handling, and the value. For someone who wants an Acura badge, all-wheel drive, a long list of features, and does not need a larger SUV, the ADX makes sense.