Sign of the times
By Christian Wardlaw
|
November 8, 2006
What We Drove
Acura RDX – Review:Consumers are flocking to crossover SUVs, or CUVs, simultaneously draining the conventional sport-ute and sport coupe markets of potential buyers. People are no longer willing to accept the compromises inherent in those vehicles, and CUVs are able to blend performance, comfort, and utility better than any other type of vehicle. Acura jumps into the fray with the $33,665 RDX for 2007, so we borrowed a version equipped with the optional Technology Package and a sticker price of $37,160 for a week of driving around Southern California. Some of us liked the RDX, some of us didn't, and some of us would rather have the less expensive but very similar Mazda CX-7 instead.
Why We Drove It
Equipped with Acura's first-ever turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and given that the consumer marketplace is shifting to CUVs in large numbers, the new RDX was high on our list of must-drive vehicles for 2007. As we discovered on a rapid ride up the mountainside to Idyllwild, Calif., the blown motor is unfazed by altitude and the RDX handles exceptionally well for an SUV. But we also discovered that the Acura has a prodigious thirst for fuel, which makes us question whether a V6 engine would be a more appropriate powerplant. This, in addition to other shortcomings, makes it hard for us to call the RDX an unqualified hit in the segment.
Performance
Turbo lag is a problem with the Acura RDX. In traffic, the RDX is sluggish under partial throttle application, but if you dip in to extract added motive force the turbo can suddenly kick in and deliver more acceleration than expected. Not as satisfying as a V6 engine with similar power ratings, and at 14.8 mpg average, what's the point? This would be a much better vehicle with the Accord's V6 under the hood. Transmission shifts smoothly, however, and sport mode holds gears longer to keep motor in the thick of its power band. Paddle shifters help make the RDX a blast to drive on twisty roads.
Handling
With a stiffly-tuned suspension and a wide track, it's no surprise that the Acura RDX handles exceptionally well for an SUV, but it's still an SUV and it rocks a little too much on its short wheelbase. So, while you're probably traveling faster than other people on that favorite twisty two-lane road, you're not having as much fun as you might in a vehicle with a lower center of gravity. Accelerate hard out of a turn and palpable SH-AWD power transfer positively affects the RDX's attitude and balance. Brakes are responsive and effective, the steering accurate and well-weighted. Ride quality can be stiffer than some might want, but considering the high handling limits the RDX offers good compliance.
Visibility
Rectangular heated side mirrors, collapsing rear head rests, and thin front pillars all add up to a superior visibility experience from the Acura RDX's driver's seat. Add in the reversing camera, and you might not miss a reverse sensing system. I still did, and if you think likewise the dealer can install one for you at extra cost.
Fun to Drive
Compared to other SUVs, and some cars, the Acura RDX is fun to drive. The turbo lag is a bit of a buzz-killer off-the-line, and while the RDX is quick it never seems fast. If you want something really fun to drive but still need space and utility, consider a sport-tuned wagon like the Subaru Legacy GT.
Front Comfort
The Acura RDX's front seats are deeply dished and sport bolstered, and they can feel confining when idling in traffic or bouncing around town. However, in the turns, they hold the driver in tight. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel makes it easy to find a good driving position, and though the upper door panels have no shelf on which to rest an arm, they are softly upholstered and scooped out to make a nice elbow rest. The center console lid is plushly upholstered, but sat too low when I had the driver's seat raised to my preferred position. Getting in and out of the driver's seat can be a little snug for larger people.
Rear Comfort
Entry and exit a bit hampered by intrusive rear wheel wells, and while the Acura RDX provides lots of underseat foot space, the tall and flat bottom cushion lacks thigh support and the back rests are set at a position that is too reclined. Leg room is snug, too, but contact points for my knees were padded so I didn't mind too much. Might be a little tight for three abreast, but two adults will be relatively happy in the back.
Interior Noise
On the highway or irregular pavement, the Acura RDX produces more cabin noise than expected for a vehicle wearing a luxury nameplate. And while some on staff gripe about the sound of the turbocharger, that's not a problem for me. What I can't get past is the note of the four-cylinder engine, which only reminds the driver that a more sophisticated and smooth V6 engine isn't pumping away on the other side of the firewall.
Loading Cargo
The Acura RDX has a large cargo area; bigger than expected in a "small" SUV. The liftover height is agreeably low, and the luggage space is nicely trimmed. Closing the hatch using the assist grip is problematic; the tailgate extends out at the bottom and catches your forearm as the gate swings closed, forcing you to use a hand on the dirty exterior to slam it shut. Folding the rear seats is easy. Lift the bottom cushion up and tilt it forward, then use the release lever to flop the seatback down. Cool feature: the sturdy cargo panel can be placed on the floor for storage, creating a perfectly flat load floor.
Build Quality
Lately, Acura and Honda products we've evaluated have shown a decline in build quality, and while the RDX was better in this regard than many vehicles on the market, there were a couple of obvious flaws on the inside. The metallic dash trim on the left side of the gauge pod was dented, and the gasket between the upper dash and the central dash was sticking out on both sides. Outside, the hood's gaps were tight at the headlights but wide at the windshield, door fit at the A-pillars could have been better, and the right front door did not fit flush at the B-pillar.
Materials Quality
Some of the obvious plastic trim should actually be metal, but it's hard to fault the quality of the materials that Acura uses inside the RDX. The perforated leather looks and feels terrific, the headliner is woven mesh fabric, the dashboard is soft touch (hard plastic up top where people rarely touch), the steering wheel feels good in the driver's hands, and the matte-black plastics have a coarse texture that keeps them from looking and feeling slippery and cheap.
Styling
Inside, the Acura RDX is a work of art. It's got purposeful and strong forms and textures, with exaggerated gauges to emphasize its sportiness. The blue backlit gauges are soothing at night. Outside, the RDX has a fundamentally handsome profile and general shapes, but the details are incongruous. The front end is particularly off-putting. Large 18-inch wheels appear somehow tucked in and under, making the RDX a prime candidate for shiny dubs.
Storage
For the Acura RDX's size, the false-bottomed center console is positively cavernous. Huge. Gigantic. In fact, it might be too big. You'll want to use the covered bins in the side panels or the small unlined slot in the dash next to the 12-volt outlet for storage of smaller daily-use items. The center console is also supplemented by a good-sized glove box, big cupholders, four door panel bins, and twin rear seatback pockets.
Infotainment Controls
Acura is getting a better grip on its infotainment interface. Audio controls can be accessed through the screen via the center controller, voice commands, or the redundant controls on the steering wheel. Plus, for those who abhor combined navigation/audio systems, there's a full set of hard radio keys at the bottom of the center stack. They aren't ideally sized or located, but they exist. Of course, the result is the appearance of clutter – a door to hide them would be swell. Navigation is stupid simple to program, the mouse controller is firm and sturdy, zoom is simple to use, route cancellation is front-and-center, and the system offers a variety of extra features.
Climate Controls
Dual-zone climate controls sit on either side of the center controller, and temperature is displayed within the information strip at the base of the windshield. The Acura RDX's big buttons with clear markingsare very easy to see, use and understand.
Secondary Controls
Large and well marked, and placed in spots you might reasonably expect to find them, the Acura RDX's secondary controls are simple and easy to use. There is, however, way too much going on with this steering wheel. Cruise, audio, voice commands, trip computer – it's all here, most of it visible and well integrated. But it's still overwhelming.
2nd Opinion – James Fabin
The first word that comes to mind after driving the Acura RDX is "disappointment." While the RDX does offer sports-car handling and would by my SUV of choice driving up a twisty mountain road, it falls short in so many other important areas. Inside the RDX you'll find lots of road noise, engine noise, and a very annoying hiss from the turbocharged engine. The engine's non-linear power delivery makes the RDX frustrating to drive around town. In addition, fit and finish was not up to luxury standards. I really wanted to love the RDX, but all these issues add up to one vehicle I could never live with.
2nd Opinion – Ron Perry
I found the Acura RDX to be nicely styled, roomy, comfortable, and really annoying. Driving the RDX smoothly is difficult thanks to the turbo's lack of linear engagement and off-the-line lag, but the braking and steering feel is top notch. I also found it difficult to enter the back seat thanks to a small opening and a rear wheel arch that impedes ingress. Finally, the audio controls are integrated into the navigation display but only certain functions can be activated using the center toggle and others, such as volume and tuning, must be employed using the steering wheel buttons or the stereo knob placed below the main control area.
2nd Opinion – Raymond So
The Acura RDX is one SUV that actually tricks you into thinking you're driving a sports sedan, a refreshing departure from other SUVs that can't even get the "sports" part right. Acura's first-ever turbocharged engine provided more than enough power to bring the RDX briskly up to speed with little to no turbo lag. And, combined with the SH-AWD system, the RDX handled corners at speeds many SUVs would dare not venture, all with the composure of a proper sports sedan. Steering was direct and balanced while body roll was almost nonexistent thanks to the performance-tuned suspension. Ride quality felt compliant and not overly stiff. Everything just feels right in the RDX. It puts the BMW X3 to shame.
Equipped with Acura's first-ever turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and given that the consumer marketplace is shifting to CUVs in large numbers, the new RDX was high on our list of must-drive vehicles for 2007. As we discovered on a rapid ride up the mountainside to Idyllwild, Calif., the blown motor is unfazed by altitude and the RDX handles exceptionally well for an SUV. But we also discovered that the Acura has a prodigious thirst for fuel, which makes us question whether a V6 engine would be a more appropriate powerplant. This, in addition to other shortcomings, makes it hard for us to call the RDX an unqualified hit in the segment.
Performance
Turbo lag is a problem with the Acura RDX. In traffic, the RDX is sluggish under partial throttle application, but if you dip in to extract added motive force the turbo can suddenly kick in and deliver more acceleration than expected. Not as satisfying as a V6 engine with similar power ratings, and at 14.8 mpg average, what's the point? This would be a much better vehicle with the Accord's V6 under the hood. Transmission shifts smoothly, however, and sport mode holds gears longer to keep motor in the thick of its power band. Paddle shifters help make the RDX a blast to drive on twisty roads.
Handling
With a stiffly-tuned suspension and a wide track, it's no surprise that the Acura RDX handles exceptionally well for an SUV, but it's still an SUV and it rocks a little too much on its short wheelbase. So, while you're probably traveling faster than other people on that favorite twisty two-lane road, you're not having as much fun as you might in a vehicle with a lower center of gravity. Accelerate hard out of a turn and palpable SH-AWD power transfer positively affects the RDX's attitude and balance. Brakes are responsive and effective, the steering accurate and well-weighted. Ride quality can be stiffer than some might want, but considering the high handling limits the RDX offers good compliance.
Visibility
Rectangular heated side mirrors, collapsing rear head rests, and thin front pillars all add up to a superior visibility experience from the Acura RDX's driver's seat. Add in the reversing camera, and you might not miss a reverse sensing system. I still did, and if you think likewise the dealer can install one for you at extra cost.
Fun to Drive
Compared to other SUVs, and some cars, the Acura RDX is fun to drive. The turbo lag is a bit of a buzz-killer off-the-line, and while the RDX is quick it never seems fast. If you want something really fun to drive but still need space and utility, consider a sport-tuned wagon like the Subaru Legacy GT.
Front Comfort
The Acura RDX's front seats are deeply dished and sport bolstered, and they can feel confining when idling in traffic or bouncing around town. However, in the turns, they hold the driver in tight. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel makes it easy to find a good driving position, and though the upper door panels have no shelf on which to rest an arm, they are softly upholstered and scooped out to make a nice elbow rest. The center console lid is plushly upholstered, but sat too low when I had the driver's seat raised to my preferred position. Getting in and out of the driver's seat can be a little snug for larger people.
Rear Comfort
Entry and exit a bit hampered by intrusive rear wheel wells, and while the Acura RDX provides lots of underseat foot space, the tall and flat bottom cushion lacks thigh support and the back rests are set at a position that is too reclined. Leg room is snug, too, but contact points for my knees were padded so I didn't mind too much. Might be a little tight for three abreast, but two adults will be relatively happy in the back.
Interior Noise
On the highway or irregular pavement, the Acura RDX produces more cabin noise than expected for a vehicle wearing a luxury nameplate. And while some on staff gripe about the sound of the turbocharger, that's not a problem for me. What I can't get past is the note of the four-cylinder engine, which only reminds the driver that a more sophisticated and smooth V6 engine isn't pumping away on the other side of the firewall.
Loading Cargo
The Acura RDX has a large cargo area; bigger than expected in a "small" SUV. The liftover height is agreeably low, and the luggage space is nicely trimmed. Closing the hatch using the assist grip is problematic; the tailgate extends out at the bottom and catches your forearm as the gate swings closed, forcing you to use a hand on the dirty exterior to slam it shut. Folding the rear seats is easy. Lift the bottom cushion up and tilt it forward, then use the release lever to flop the seatback down. Cool feature: the sturdy cargo panel can be placed on the floor for storage, creating a perfectly flat load floor.
Build Quality
Lately, Acura and Honda products we've evaluated have shown a decline in build quality, and while the RDX was better in this regard than many vehicles on the market, there were a couple of obvious flaws on the inside. The metallic dash trim on the left side of the gauge pod was dented, and the gasket between the upper dash and the central dash was sticking out on both sides. Outside, the hood's gaps were tight at the headlights but wide at the windshield, door fit at the A-pillars could have been better, and the right front door did not fit flush at the B-pillar.
Materials Quality
Some of the obvious plastic trim should actually be metal, but it's hard to fault the quality of the materials that Acura uses inside the RDX. The perforated leather looks and feels terrific, the headliner is woven mesh fabric, the dashboard is soft touch (hard plastic up top where people rarely touch), the steering wheel feels good in the driver's hands, and the matte-black plastics have a coarse texture that keeps them from looking and feeling slippery and cheap.
Styling
Inside, the Acura RDX is a work of art. It's got purposeful and strong forms and textures, with exaggerated gauges to emphasize its sportiness. The blue backlit gauges are soothing at night. Outside, the RDX has a fundamentally handsome profile and general shapes, but the details are incongruous. The front end is particularly off-putting. Large 18-inch wheels appear somehow tucked in and under, making the RDX a prime candidate for shiny dubs.
Storage
For the Acura RDX's size, the false-bottomed center console is positively cavernous. Huge. Gigantic. In fact, it might be too big. You'll want to use the covered bins in the side panels or the small unlined slot in the dash next to the 12-volt outlet for storage of smaller daily-use items. The center console is also supplemented by a good-sized glove box, big cupholders, four door panel bins, and twin rear seatback pockets.
Infotainment Controls
Acura is getting a better grip on its infotainment interface. Audio controls can be accessed through the screen via the center controller, voice commands, or the redundant controls on the steering wheel. Plus, for those who abhor combined navigation/audio systems, there's a full set of hard radio keys at the bottom of the center stack. They aren't ideally sized or located, but they exist. Of course, the result is the appearance of clutter – a door to hide them would be swell. Navigation is stupid simple to program, the mouse controller is firm and sturdy, zoom is simple to use, route cancellation is front-and-center, and the system offers a variety of extra features.
Climate Controls
Dual-zone climate controls sit on either side of the center controller, and temperature is displayed within the information strip at the base of the windshield. The Acura RDX's big buttons with clear markingsare very easy to see, use and understand.
Secondary Controls
Large and well marked, and placed in spots you might reasonably expect to find them, the Acura RDX's secondary controls are simple and easy to use. There is, however, way too much going on with this steering wheel. Cruise, audio, voice commands, trip computer – it's all here, most of it visible and well integrated. But it's still overwhelming.
2nd Opinion – James Fabin
The first word that comes to mind after driving the Acura RDX is "disappointment." While the RDX does offer sports-car handling and would by my SUV of choice driving up a twisty mountain road, it falls short in so many other important areas. Inside the RDX you'll find lots of road noise, engine noise, and a very annoying hiss from the turbocharged engine. The engine's non-linear power delivery makes the RDX frustrating to drive around town. In addition, fit and finish was not up to luxury standards. I really wanted to love the RDX, but all these issues add up to one vehicle I could never live with.
2nd Opinion – Ron Perry
I found the Acura RDX to be nicely styled, roomy, comfortable, and really annoying. Driving the RDX smoothly is difficult thanks to the turbo's lack of linear engagement and off-the-line lag, but the braking and steering feel is top notch. I also found it difficult to enter the back seat thanks to a small opening and a rear wheel arch that impedes ingress. Finally, the audio controls are integrated into the navigation display but only certain functions can be activated using the center toggle and others, such as volume and tuning, must be employed using the steering wheel buttons or the stereo knob placed below the main control area.
2nd Opinion – Raymond So
The Acura RDX is one SUV that actually tricks you into thinking you're driving a sports sedan, a refreshing departure from other SUVs that can't even get the "sports" part right. Acura's first-ever turbocharged engine provided more than enough power to bring the RDX briskly up to speed with little to no turbo lag. And, combined with the SH-AWD system, the RDX handled corners at speeds many SUVs would dare not venture, all with the composure of a proper sports sedan. Steering was direct and balanced while body roll was almost nonexistent thanks to the performance-tuned suspension. Ride quality felt compliant and not overly stiff. Everything just feels right in the RDX. It puts the BMW X3 to shame.
Photos courtesy of Ron Perry