Key by Amazon and AcuraLink: Should You Try It on Your Acura RDX?

Acura has a solution for your stolen package issue that doesn’t involve a special trip to an Amazon Locker. Instead, Acura—along with Honda, GM brands, Volvo, Ford, and Lincoln—offer Key by Amazon compatibility. Although this feature has benefits beyond Amazon delivering packages directly to your car, that’s the reason we gave it and AcuraLink a try. So, is AcuraLink worth your money? And how well does Key by Amazon work?

First off, the AcuraLink app offers some free, basic services. It starts with a dashboard that shows your mileage, fuel range, and tire pressure (after a brief delay as the system connects with your car). In case you haven’t been waiting on my every word across MotorTrend’s other 2019 Acura RDX A-Spec updates, let me again thank Acura for providing oil-life percentages based on how you use the car. No more rigid 5,000-mile service intervals. And unlike a couple competitors, the RDX shows tire pressure at each tire.

Among the many perks in the complimentary basic package is Send Destination, which allows you to send a location from the app to your car’s nav system. I’d find this more useful if I weren’t already so attached to Apple CarPlay. The 2019 and 2020 RDX’s nav system is all right to use with voice commands, but nothing beats the ease of CarPlay for around-town navigation.

As this is written, only the 2019 and 2020 RDX are eligible for Key by Amazon, but you can bet that future Acuras including the next-gen TLX and MDX will offer it, too. For Amazon to deliver packages to your Acura, you need an Amazon Prime subscription and a subscription to the Remote level of AcuraLink.

At the moment, Remote is $110 a year after a six-month trial. Sounds expensive, right? But actually, it makes sense, especially if you’ve leased your RDX. Besides Key by Amazon in-car delivery, the Remote level of AcuraLink includes remote engine start (cool off/heat up your car before getting inside), remote lock/unlock, and the ability to keep track of whether your kid has driven above a certain speed or beyond a geographic zone you’ve established. Most important, however, is the ability to mess with your family and friends by sounding the horn and flashing the lights, right from the app.

Depending on your situation, though, simply getting Acura’s $399 remote engine start system from your dealer may be a better fit if you can do without the above feature and Amazon delivering packages to your car. For a three- or four-year lease, if you plan to try Key by Amazon and remote start, consider the $110 a year Remote package.

So, How Can I Get Amazon to Deliver Packages to My Car?

First, set up the Key by Amazon and AcuraLink apps and link them together. Yes, it takes a few minutes, but you’ll never have to do it again. Once you’re sure that Mission: Impossible box set has your name on it, select in-car delivery when you check out on Amazon. The only problem I have with Key by Amazon is that, at least for now, Amazon won’t deliver to a parking structure. This meant I had to park my RDX, which has black leather seats, outside in the California sun for the length of my workday. Nothing the AC and ventilated seats can’t handle, but still not ideal. For two-day delivery, the window was between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; same-day delivery’s window is between 5 and 9 p.m. Amazon will alert you when the shipment is on its way, as well as when it’s been delivered.

Despite the minor parking-structure issue, getting Amazon packages delivered to my Acura was a good experience. By itself, it doesn’t justify AcuraLink’s $110 a year for the Remote level, but for that right buyer who believes they’ll also use remote start (and the other available features) for the length of their three-year lease, Remote instead of the $399 remote engine start system could be worthwhile.

So, How Can I Get Amazon to Deliver Packages to My Car?

Read more about our long-term 2019 Acura RDX A-Spec: