Acura's third-generation RDX was 100=percent designed and assembled
here in the United States, This compact SUV went from total bore to total score.
Go America!
From the exterior the RDX looks less boxy and kind of generic than its
previous model. The longer sloping roofline, the character line that angles
more dramatically upward across the car's body and its expressive front
fascia all contribute to this mini ute's
sportier look, but it's still classy and got elegance, even though this badge is as
big as my head. Really Acura? The sporting theme carries into the interior with
cues seemingly inspired by the cockpit of the NSX sports car. From the bucket
seats, to the advanced tech, the trim materials in here are really plush. This
open pore wood is incredibly appealing. The leather is soft. These details are
really well thought out. The stitching is great. You know, the design in here is
pretty minimal, but it all comes together so nicely it's really handsome. I prefer
a touchscreen, but the RDX's control pad might be the next best thing. Instead of
moving a cursor the pad act like a proxy for the screen. Pressing the upper left
corner down here operates the left corner there. With a little practice
the system is easy to use. The RDX features a push-button shifter that I
like. With nothing mechanical connecting it with the transmission there is room
for thoughtful storage space underneath the console. My purse actually fits down
here so when a friend rides shotgun I don't have to contort to put it in the
back. Speaking of the back, there's not a ton of legroom in the second row unless
of course someone's sitting behind me and there's no recline function on the
seat. It's not bad, but a little more would be nice. The RDX was built in the
US of A so of course it has amazing trunk space, and it has a category
leading 59-cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row. Its cavernous back
here.Hello...
Let's talk about my favorite part of the RDX. Actually, you know what, I'm gonna let
you listen to it. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system is standard in the
two highest trim levels and it's insane. The 16 speakers are geniusly positioned.
In Acuras press materials they call it an omni-directional high fidelity listening
experience. I call it being wrapped in an ear blanket of awesomeness.
The RDX now sports a direct-injection turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
engine that makes 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. For folks comparing
at home that's more power than BMWs X3, the Audi Q5, Volvo XC6, and a similarly
equipped Mercedes GLC. If you're gonna ditch a V6 for a four-cylinder engine you
better make it a good one. Acura did. It's nice and torquey in the
low range, and even if the shifts in the 10-speed automatic aren't lightning-fast
there's still a really nice surge of power after every gear.
Both sport and sport plus hold gears longer for more immediate acceleration.
The steering sharpens, the throttle opens up and you can actually hear it in the
exhaust note. I really like the way the RDX drives in sport mode and Acura
thinks buyers will too since that's actually the default drive setting, not
usual comfort mode. Both front-wheel drive and Acura Super-Handling all-wheel
drive are available on all trim levels. The front-wheel drive option gets a
little bit better gas mileage, but it's negligible. Personally I'd pony up the
extra, $2,000 for that improved traction and the great torque
vectoring system Acura's employed Usually 70% of that all-wheel drive
power is focused on the rear wheels, but in bursts up to 100% of it
can be shifted to either the right or the left side. So, when you're going
around turns
it's super grippy. It's totally confidence-inspiring and really fun.
Looks like Acura's NSX DNA didn't just make it into the interior.
Another reason for all that fun is the RDX's rigid architecture, which uses
high-performance structural adhesives to improve stability. That means, among other
things, minimal body roll around corners. Okay one nitpick, I'm not into how grabby
the brakes are. Not unlike me reading my YouTube comments, these are a tad
sensitive. The Acura Watch suite of safety technologies comes with all four
RDX trim levels and includes a collision mitigation braking system, adaptive
cruise control, and lane keep assist, along with a multi-angle rear-view
camera and Apple CarPlay. Google hasn't figured out Acura's touchpad
interface yet, so Android Auto isn't available until they do. The next level
up is a technology trim which includes blind spot warning, front and rear
parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alerts, and two rear USB ports. Move up to
the performance design A-Spec and get 20-inch wheels,
dark aluminum exterior trim, and a sport steering wheel. And then there's the
top-level advanced trim with a 10.5-inch head-up display,
adaptive dampers, a heated leather steering wheel and rear seats, and
surround view camera system. These cameras are getting so good I want
someone to shoot a movie with one. For the base front-wheel drive model Acura
is asking a little more than $38,000 including destination charges. For this
advanced trim that we're driving here pricing tops out around $48,400
that's where some of the RDX's European
competitors pricing starts.
If you're looking for a value rich, luxury SUV that has real performance
driving chops, elegant good looks, and it was built right here in Uncle Sam's
backyard, well, I think the Acura RDX might be a very sporting choice.