When Acura’s US designers and engineers have been tasked with bringing the all-new 2019 RDX to market, they studied the competitors, strived to beat their section opponents through each metric they may, after which determined to promote their completed product for 1000’s much less.
That is an formidable marketing strategy, however on paper with this almost loaded $45,500 RDX A-Spec, the brand new Acura delivers by providing extra luxurious, energy, tech and house than the vaunted Europeans, which hover nearer to the $50,000 mark, or considerably past, when comparably geared up.
On account of the Acura RDX’s mission to supply extra SUV for much less money, my expectations have been raised. Does the behind-the-wheel expertise meet these targets?
Combined first impressions
My week with the 2019 Acura RDX A-Spec begins with a fast jaunt across the block. However after only a few miuntes of driving the brand new SUV, I am giving it a dollop of side-eye. The crossover’s 10-speed automated transmission is nice, however as a result of it shifts to about sixth gear by 35 miles per hour, you hear the sound of the engine rise and fall approach too typically throughout metropolis driving.
Thankfully, due to the sleek, well-timed programming of the transmission, you by no means really feel any jerkiness by way of these myriad shifts. However as a result of Acura pipes synthetic engine noise by way of the cabin’s audio system so as to add a touch of sport to the drive, you’re pressured to listen to the engine fluttering by way of gears. It isn’t a turning into noise, and it does not make a great first impression.
These pretend sounds are actually pronounced as a result of the RDX presents one of many quieter cabins I’ve skilled not too long ago. To quell this disconcerting artificiality, I twist the big, center-stack-mounted, NSX-inspired drive-mode management knob counterclockwise to deliver the RDX into its Consolation setting. In Consolation mode, the electrical energy steering turns into lighter, the throttle-response profile and optionally available torque-vectoring Tremendous Dealing with All-Wheel Drive are given a light-weight sedative, however most significantly for my sanity, the Lively Sound Management’s synthetic noise-making steps into its quietest setting. The irritating pretend noise remains to be there, however it’s nothing that rolling down the home windows or some medium-volume music cannot remedy. Funnily sufficient, the 272-horsepower, 2.Zero-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine itself sounds refined. Due to this fact, the Lively Sound Management’s existence is superfluous for on a regular basis driving.
The RDX has one of many nicest, quietest cabins I’ve skilled not too long ago, which makes the pretend sound enhancement all of the extra noticeable.
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For this new third-gen RDX, Acura was capable of cut back the unibody’s weight by 41 kilos, whereas growing its rigidity by 38.three %. The construction’s key dimensions are raised, too: size is up 2.four inches, which fits principally towards growing max cargo quantity, up this yr by 2.9 cubic toes to 79.eight. Width can be elevated by 1.1 inches in contrast with final yr’s RDX, and with a 2.6-inch longer wheelbase, the entrance and rear overhangs are actually shorter, however passenger quantity is up half a cubic foot to 104.
On account of all these dimensional shifts, the 2019 RDX’s middle of gravity has moved three.1 inches aft, thus yielding a extra athletic 57/43 entrance/rear weight distribution, in contrast with final yr’s 60/40. Regardless of these enhancements, the BMW X3, which weighs 137 kilos (or a complete me) extra, does a a lot better job of hiding its weight and elevated middle of gravity. The RDX, in distinction, feels each little bit of its high-riding four,Zero19 kilos.
The RDX dives underneath braking, displays noticeable physique roll with sudden course corrections, and though its suspension does an amazing job of absorbing choppiness, the bumps that do filter by way of lend to a delicate bucking feeling within the cabin.
The RDX is keen to assault corners, however it feels each little bit of its four,000-plus-pound curb weight.
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Born to run
The RDX will not be ashamed to point out its faults round city, however get it cruising on the freeway, and it turns into an A scholar. This must be one of many quieter autos on sale at the moment, which makes long-distance journeys far more pleasing. That serenity pairs effectively with a number of the most snug seats within the business. My present benchmark for seat consolation may be discovered with Nissan and Infiniti’s NASA-inspired “Zero Gravity” know-how, however the seats within the Acura RDX come fairly darn shut. In-cabin enjoyment solely will get higher as quickly as you crank the RDX’s obtainable 710-watt, 16-speaker, 16-channel ELS Studio 3D sound system.
Whether or not listening to 320-Kbps Spotify recordsdata from my USB-connected iPhone or 2,113-Kbps, 5.1-channel audio recordsdata like those Acura supplied me on a thumb drive, the ELS system offers me hours of listening enjoyment, though I want the 4 headliner-mounted “Highline” audio system did a greater job of lifting the sound stage. Nonetheless, it is a respectable premium audio system that does of nice job of constructing the RDX’s cabin really feel much more upscale.
I really like how the inside is constructed to wrap round you whereas nonetheless feeling ethereal. The middle console sits excessive, which makes you are feeling such as you’re nestled contained in the automobile versus sitting on prime of it. Acura then provides a beneficiant quantity of space for storing beneath the console. By my estimate, you could possibly match a complete air con compressor or an alternator and a small bag of Flamin’ Sizzling Cheetos underneath there, though most individuals will doubtless simply lay down a passenger’s cellular phone or pill proper in entrance of the adjoining charging port.
The RDX A-Spec comes with a 272-horsepower 2.Zero-liter turbocharged inline-four engine.
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Throughout my turnaround journey from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, most of my time behind the RDX’s wheel is accompanied by a blissful smile. The quiet Milano leather-lined inside, supple freeway journey and pleasing ELS audio mix to enrapture me into tranquility.
The RDX’s spectacular, class-leading suite of ordinary security options additionally aids my peace of thoughts. The SUV is supplied with eight airbags, two of which shield the motive force and entrance passenger’s knees. Additionally normal on the RDX is ahead collision warning and mitigation, lane-keep help, multi-angle rearview digital camera and tire-pressure monitoring. This RDX A-Spec can be geared up with rear cross-traffic monitoring, parking sensors throughout and blind-spot alert.
Commendable in corners
On the best way again to Los Angeles, I interrupt my relaxed bliss with an thrilling expedition into the San Gabriel Mountains for some canyon carving. I am curious to see how the RDX’s Tremendous Dealing with All-Wheel Drive will react to being pushed in anger.
On twisty canyon roads, the RDX nonetheless shows stilty heaviness, however I can really feel the SH-AWD expertly managing the VTEC engine’s 280 pound-feet of torque. I dive right into a bend with just a bit an excessive amount of pace so I can hear the tires start to mumble for mercy, after which I shut them up with a touch of throttle earlier than the apex.
I really like the fluidity of Acura’s SH-AWD system on winding again roads.
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As soon as I move the apex, I squeeze the accelerator for a full-blast exit, and a sense of empowerment washes over me. “I simply erased understeer,” I giggle to myself. If the RDX have been sentient, that is the second I might lock onto its bejewelled LED eyes, and with a seductive stare, utter, “Hey, woman. The way you doin’?”
The RDX A-Spec is admirable for the sporty traits it displays on a again street, however it’s no sports activities automobile, and neither is it speculated to be. Nevertheless, my thoughts retains going again to the BMW X3, and the way that heavier SUV is ready to trick me into pondering I am driving a compact sports activities sedan. I by no means get that sense within the RDX, and that is a disgrace, as a result of, a minimum of within the dry, I favor the fluidity of Acura’s SH-AWD to BMW’s xDrive.
However the Acura has some benefits over the BMW, particularly within the powertrain division. The RDX’s engine is 24 horsepower and 22 pound-feet of torque forward of the BMW’s turbocharged four-cylinder, and the Acura feels far more pressing to construct pace, in consequence. The 10-speed, paddle-shift automated transmission definitely helps with the immediacy, but additionally with effectivity. In prime gear at 70 mph, the RDX is just turning about 1,800 rpm.
Oddly, the RDX is just rated at 26 miles per gallon for freeway gas economic system. Scores of 21 within the metropolis and 23 mixed are simply common, however after every week and 396 miles with the RDX, I solely managed 18.four mpg. Even accounting for my spirited run by way of the San Gabriels, I might’ve been completely happy to see a quantity matching the EPA’s metropolis determine.
The RDX boasts a number of the most snug entrance seats in any new automobile at the moment.
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Magnificence and brains
It is the climax of golden hour within the heavens overlooking Los Angeles, and I am armed with an extended digital camera lens. Because the solar takes its closing bow for the day, I am captivated not solely by the silence and fantastic thing about the wilderness, but additionally by the RDX’s visible attract. In full preparation for the hate feedback this assertion will generate, I have to declare that the RDX (to my eyes and by a slim margin) is better-looking than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, thus making it the best-looking compact SUV on sale at the moment.
Gone from the RDX’s nostril is the hideous defend grille, and instead is Acura’s new diamond-pentagon maw nestled between enticing Jewel Eye LED headlights which can be a number of the best I’ve skilled on any car. My favourite a part of the RDX’s face lies within the wing-shaped air curtain openings that assist to cut back drag. Total, the RDX, even with its eight.2 inches of floor clearance, seems to be hugging the street.
The great appears translate to the inside, too. Not solely does it wrap round you, however it appears good doing it. It is a fairly useful place to be, too. Acura’s True Touchpad Interface is intuitive in that the touchpad on the middle console acts like a touchscreen. In different phrases, if you could click on on one thing within the upper-right of the 10.2-inch HD display, merely place your finger on the upper-right nook of the touchpad, and also you’re there.
The RDX is the primary new Acura to get the brand new True Touchpad Interface, which, in keeping with Acura, went by way of tens of 1000’s of testing hours at Ohio State College’s Driving Simulation Laboratory. Inside minutes, I am snug navigating Acura’s Android-based working system in addition to the built-in Apple CarPlay. The pace of my acclimation jibes with Ohio State’s and Acura’s R&D findings, which present that customers sometimes grow to be snug with the interface inside minutes.
After every week with the car, touchpad instructions are edging on second-nature for me, so I see promise on this new setup. It is simply higher than Lexus‘ Distant Contact Interface, and if I spend extra time with it, I believe it is poised to beat business leaders like Audi’s MMI and BMW’s iDrive.
Nonetheless lacking the magic
Total, the 2019 RDX is a handsome, snug, sprightly and value-priced entry within the compact luxurious SUV section. If worth is a major consideration for you, then that is arguably the highest choose within the class, however in case you can afford to enterprise into the $50,000-plus vary, I’d select one thing with a European badge as a substitute.
Should you’re contemplating one thing with a Lexus or Infiniti badge, I am going to prevent time by saying you could neglect the Lexus NX 300. Its turbocharged four-cylinder does not provide close to the refinement or energy that the Acura can, and whereas nearly $1,000 much less when comparably geared up, its 71.6 and 17.7 cubic toes of passenger and behind-second-row cargo quantity pale compared to the Acura’s 104 and 29.5 cubic toes.
The RDX is arguably the most effective worth within the compact luxurious SUV class.
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The Infiniti QX50 is on par general (particularly on the subject of inside volumes) with the RDX. Nevertheless, comparably geared up, it is nonetheless simply over $four,000 dearer.
Choose the RDX, and your left mind may be happy in realizing that you simply drove off the lot in one thing that provides extra energy, luxurious, tech and house than the competitors, and also you get to maintain a load of money in your pocket, too. However in case you’re right-brain dominant, the RDX could set you on a course of questioning what may have been with the pricier competitors.
Do your self a favor and inform your proper mind to close it. An additional $5,000 to $10,000 in your checking account should buy plenty of right-brain satisfaction. Positive, the RDX’s priciest opponents — the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC — really feel somewhat extra particular general, however that added premium really feel is not definitely worth the worth. The RDX could really feel somewhat out of kinds round city and in want of extra chassis tuning, however for the value, it is the one it is best to get.