Topic: Test Drive: 2019 Acura RDX

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[dirtyjeffer]

looks like a decent offering for the class...my only gripe is the spacey looking center console area, but perhaps you get used to it.

[NormT]

looks like a decent offering for the class...my only gripe is the spacey looking center console area, but perhaps you get used to it.

Consuner Reports called the infotainment the worse they have seen and Autoguide called atrocious.   Everyone thinks this competes with the Germans or JLR but Car & Driver said it was not as solid and more Bspec or Cspec. C&D also found it 0.4 slower 0-60 mph than the old V6 and CR clocked thr RDX at 7.0s 0-60 mph.

It is missing reclining and sliding rear seats along with tri-zone climate co trol that others offer like QX50(seats) or Envision.

In the end this Honda+, along with QX50, are about the last to join the compact SUV offering a turbo-4.

[Jaeger]

looks like a decent offering for the class...my only gripe is the spacey looking center console area, but perhaps you get used to it.

I've seen a couple on the road in A-spec trim.  Not a bad looking rig at all, as these things go.

[johngenx]

Now that she's had it a little while, my SIL says about the new RDX:

It's right sized for Vancouver. It can carry a decent amount of stuff but still park places and zip through traffic.

The lane departure system is a little too aggressive, but not enough that it's truly annoying. A little surprising in very certain circumstances.

The infotainment is still clunky like the last RDX.

The turbo engine is light years ahead of the 2.3L from the original RDX but not quite as nice as the previous V-6. (She's had one of each gen)

The front seats feel comfier on long trips. Seems like slight changes have worked well.

The power tailgate feels sturdier. The previous one felt like it might not last a long time, the new one feels more solid and doesn't sound like its wheezing when opening the gate.

The transmission shifts nicer than the previous one.  The previous generation felt like it was very confused at times and would hunt around. That seems completely sorted.

[dirtyjeffer]

Now that she's had it a little while, my SIL says about the new RDX:

It's right sized for Vancouver. It can carry a decent amount of stuff but still park places and zip through traffic.

The lane departure system is a little too aggressive, but not enough that it's truly annoying. A little surprising in very certain circumstances.

The infotainment is still clunky like the last RDX.

The turbo engine is light years ahead of the 2.3L from the original RDX but not quite as nice as the previous V-6. (She's had one of each gen)

The front seats feel comfier on long trips. Seems like slight changes have worked well.

The power tailgate feels sturdier. The previous one felt like it might not last a long time, the new one feels more solid and doesn't sound like its wheezing when opening the gate.

The transmission shifts nicer than the previous one.  The previous generation felt like it was very confused at times and would hunt around. That seems completely sorted.

based on that, i'd say it seems to be a pretty solid choice in the segment...i think it looks nice from the outside, and the interior looks good, i just find the center area a bit not to my liking (but not a deal breaker)...seems like the engine is decent, and the new 10 speed auto seems to work well in the applications Honda is using it in.

[ArticSteve]

My son has been locked into Acura leasing for years as they up till recently offered 2% off any lease rate which is pretty hard to pass up.  So he called the leasing manager at TO Downtown Acura and lined up an RDX and we ended up with an Elite trim. 

Handles much better, didn't get into the nav/info system due to complexity, lack of stick shifter sucks and the motor is inferior to the 2017's V6.  In sport or sport plus, which is the mode that one needs to get it going, it's way too loud as sound is piped in.  Next spring son is looking to trade into a 2019 MDX lease before they change them and up the price and rates.

I should add that the best part of this new RDX is the SAWD which just has to be light years better than the current slip and grip which is crap in snow.  Since most ppl don't understand the difference between a turbo 4 and and V6 this new RDX should do alright, but lets get back to traditional shifters. 

[dkaz]

The RDX had a stick shift?

[whaddaiknow]

looks like a decent offering for the class...my only gripe is the spacey looking center console area, but perhaps you get used to it.

For some bizarre reason, and despite being an Acura fan, I can't warm up to the new RDX. The exterior is just meh lacking in style and that UUUge Acura badge in the middle of the grille 
A sensible car in many respects, it just doesn't make me look forward to a test drive, let alone a long(er) term ownership.

[tortoise]

The RDX had a stick shift?

[RoadRageous]

The RDX had a stick shift?

It has paddle shifters. I think that's the new definition of "manual".

[dkaz]

 

Did the definition of stick shift change? This is a stick shift:

[tortoise]

It did once manufacturers decided buttons were a reasonable way to change gears.

[ArticSteve]

Did the definition of stick shift change? This is a stick shift:

Depends if you're an argumentative person. 

"stick shift"  the shifter is in the form of a horizontal "stick" that one grips.  Can be associated with automatic or manual transmission.

Example; F150s come in columm shifts or stick shifts.  Both automatic.  When ppl ask me what transmission I have in my Mustang I say manual.  Both auto and manual in that car are STICK SHIFT.

[chignectohead]

No way to hold a gear in this rig, just like the Accord it shares powertrain with. The paddles are essentially useless, because you are forced to click away like a trained lab chicken through ten gears to get where you want to go.. Then after you back off and eventually add gas back in but not at deep throttle, bonk, it's back in Drive. Surely the mind of man can do better than this. Mazda does for a start.

They sold a few Accords right away here in Halifax, and now i realize I'm seeing the same ones over and over again. Same driving schedule i guess. It looks kind of weird, but not cheap like Camry. Bring on the CX-5 turbo - I want to see if I can live with a tippy-toe compared to the 6.

[NormT]

The 2019 RDX is slower than a Honda Odyessey minivan! The Motor Trend 2019 RDX 2.0T faired even worse of all formal tests with a 7.1 0-60 mph time or one full second behind the RDX v6.That follows Consumer Reports 7.0s and Car & Driver 6.6s ranging from a half second slower or more behind the prior generation with 3 5l. Even the lower power Buick Envision 2.0T with less power and four less speeds accelerated quicker, stopped shorter, and handled MT handling test better than the RDX. "RDX's vague braking feel and response. Given that Acura equipped the RDX with "limousine" brakes, slowing down precisely was frustrating for many. Said Scott Evans: "Trying to make a stop sign is much harder than it needs to be." "Acura's wide net leads to confusion about what aiming to be. "It's torn between being luxurious and soft like a Lincoln, sporty like an Alfa, or techy like an Audi, and those things sorta cancel each other out...on winding roads in Sport+ mode, but we didn't feel the emotion we expected."

[ktm525]

Good work Norm sneaking that Envision reference in there. Stick shift to me is a manual. Auto is either column shifter or console shifter but never stick shift.

[Jaeger]

I'd take an RDX over an Envision any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[ChaosphereIX]

I'd take an RDX over an Envision any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

As would I. The Envision is a POS.

[rrocket]

I'd take an RDX over an Envision any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

As would I. The Envision is a POS.

Yea, but the Envision could appreciate in value...like all Buick products in Norms world.