Which 2026 Acura SUV Has the Towing Capacity You Need? RDX, MDX, and the ADX Explained

Towing capacity is not a spec that gets a lot of attention in luxury SUV marketing — but for buyers who need to pull a trailer, a boat, or a cargo hauler, it determines which vehicle actually works. The 2026 Acura SUV lineup includes the ADX, RDX, and MDX. Of these three, only the RDX and MDX carry published towing ratings. The ADX does not have a documented towing capacity in Acura's specifications.

This ranking covers the two models with confirmed figures, explains the gap between them, and helps you identify which one fits your towing needs.

The ADX: Not Designed for Towing

The 2026 Acura ADX is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing up to 190 hp and 179 lb.-ft. of torque. It uses a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and AWD with Intelligent Control System. Per Acura's Owner's Manual, the ADX is not designed to tow a trailer, and a tow hitch cannot be safely installed on the vehicle.

If towing is part of your requirements, the ADX is not the vehicle to evaluate. The RDX and MDX are where the conversation starts.

Second Place: 2026 Acura RDX — 1,499 lbs (680 kg)

The RDX has a published towing capacity of 1,499 lbs (680 kg) — available with an accessory towing package, installed as a dealer-fitted item. This figure applies uniformly across all three RDX trims: RDX, RDX A-Spec, and RDX Platinum Elite A-Spec.

The RDX runs a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing up to 272 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and SH-AWD on every trim.

• Towing capacity: 1,499 lbs (680 kg) with accessory tow package
• Engine: 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder, up to 272 hp
• Drivetrain: SH-AWD (all trims)

At 1,499 lbs (680 kg), the RDX can handle light trailer loads — a small utility trailer, a light watercraft on a trailer, or modest recreational loads. It is not suited for heavy-duty towing or larger boat trailers.

First Place: 2026 Acura MDX — Up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg)

The MDX leads the Acura lineup in towing capacity by a substantial margin. Every MDX trim — Tech, A-Spec, Platinum Elite A-Spec, and Type S Ultra — offers two towing configurations, both requiring an accessory towing package:

• Standard tow package: 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg)
• Heavy-duty tow package: 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg)

That upper rating of 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) is more than three times the RDX's maximum. It puts the MDX in a realistic range for trailering a mid-size boat, a camper trailer, or a loaded utility trailer.

The MDX Tech, A-Spec, and Platinum Elite A-Spec trims run a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 producing 290 hp and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. The Type S Ultra uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 355 hp and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. All four trims include SH-AWD and Trailer Stability Assist as standard features.

• Standard tow capacity: 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg) with standard tow package
• Maximum tow capacity: 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) with heavy-duty tow package
• Engine (Tech / A-Spec / Platinum Elite A-Spec): 3.5L V6, 290 hp
• Engine (Type S Ultra): 3.0L turbocharged V6, 355 hp
• Trailer Stability Assist: Standard on all trims

Towing Capacity: Head-to-Head

Which Acura SUV Is Right for Your Towing Needs?

The answer depends on what you're towing. If your loads stay under 1,499 lbs (680 kg) — and you want a five-passenger compact luxury SUV for everyday use — the RDX handles the job while staying the more manageable vehicle day-to-day.

If you regularly tow loads in the 2,205–5,000 lbs (1,000–2,268 kg) range, the MDX is the only Acura SUV equipped for that work. The choice between the 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg) and 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) tow packages comes down to what you're hitching. A mid-size pontoon boat on a trailer, a loaded horse trailer, or a travel trailer in the 2,000 kg range all fall within the MDX's heavy-duty package ceiling.

All towing packages for both the RDX and MDX are dealer-installed accessory items — your Acura dealer can confirm availability and installation details.

Talk Towing With the Team at Acura Montreal Centre in Montréal

If towing is a key factor in your SUV purchase, the team at Acura Montreal Centre in Montréal can help you evaluate the RDX and MDX tow configurations side by side and confirm which accessory package fits your intended load. Stop in at Acura Montreal Centre in Montréal to discuss your towing requirements and explore both models.