IL Track Tested: 2010 Acura RDX

It is a tiny fugly Xover. I love SUV's and 2 that should disappear forever is this one and the Infiniti EX

Im gonna start firebombing Acura dealers if I see one of these on the road

I'd take an AWD station wagon before a FWD crossover

WTH?!?!?

The RDX was awesome with the SH-AWD. I don't see this helping handling at all. Then again I have yet to see one on the road.

4 cyl, 2 wheel drive, can't tow or go off road and still weighs as much as my old cast iron 6 cyl, solid axle beast of a Grand Cherokee.

Worlds heaviest Civic wagon?

Were Acura designers inspired by turtles or parrots for their grille design? The world wonders.

This vehicle has no point w/o AWD, which should help with handling and negate/mitigate the weight increases effect on acceleration. Acura can pitch the new TSX wagon to those who want extra room and don't need AWD and they should get something cheaper, better looking, more nimble and more fuel-efficient in the bargain.

$36K+ is big money for a FWD poseur and a V-6 RAV4 ought to be able to provide better economy and acceleration numbers with more practicality and economy should the buyer be able to give up the pretentions of [i]faux[/i] prestige that inhere in the Acura brand, along with a few goodies like HIDs.

"Super Handling" AWD.. yep. Filler and no substance when it comes down to the raw numbers, although I know it enhances behind the wheel feel

Where is the comparison with the AWD?

Here it is, which proves that there really is no point to this version and its uglier than it was to begin with- nice work Acura, and keep up those sweet front end designs so I'm never tempted to buy one again for the value proposition. For the record the AWD I had for a loaner did handle very well but also rode very stiff and had a hearty appetite for premium- I think I fought for 20 in suburban/hwy driving.

From the Sep 11, 2006 Full Test:

0 - 30 (sec.) 2.4
0 - 45 (sec.) 4.2
0 - 60 (sec.) 6.8
0 - 75 (sec.) 10.4
1/4 mile (sec. @ mph) 15.2 @ 90.4
30 - 0 (ft.) 30
60 - 0 (ft.) 127
Braking rating Average
Slalom, 6 x 100 ft (mph) 65.7
Skid pad, 200 ft diameter (lateral g) 0.80
Handling rating Excellent
Sound level @ idle (db) 41.4
Sound level @ full throttle (db) 75.2
Sound level @ 70 mph cruise (db) 69.4

"$36K+ is big money for a FWD poseur and a V-6 RAV4 ought to be able to provide better economy and acceleration numbers with more practicality and economy should the buyer be able to give up the pretentions of [i]faux[/i] prestige that inhere in the Acura brand, along with a few goodies like HIDs."

@cz75 says, you could say the same thing about most of the other vehicles in the same class.

"I love SUV's and 2 that should disappear forever is this one and the Infiniti EX."

@notabigdeal, Acura would probably beg to differ as the RDX owns... I believe 25% (give or take) of that segment.

"Super Handling" AWD.. yep. Filler and no substance when it comes down to the raw numbers, although I know it enhances behind the wheel feel"

@Cx7lover, care to fully explain yourself? SH-AWD is one of the most advanced AWD systems on the market and many other manufacturers are now offering similar setups. BMW, Audi and a few others are or will offer a similar system. Sure it may be a band aid for cars like the TL and RL but it does work and works well.

Honda should include a can of black spray paint with each new Acura. So owners can black out the ugly front grills.

The 2wd EX-35 is the driver's car but it is more of a station wagon than SUV.

http://wot.motortrend.com/6376570/miscellaneous/the-top-ten-fastest-suvs-weve-tested/index.html

The AWD RDX makes a decent case for the younger crowd that craves a sporty AWD ride with some practicality. The Infiniti EX was truly pointless from jump street with the just barely adequate sized but also overpriced FX right there. Have they actually sold more than 100 of these yet?

"@notabigdeal, Acura would probably beg to differ as the RDX owns... I believe 25% (give or take) of that segment."

Are you sure? Acuras sales are in the complete toilet....how can they own 25% of any market? If you can show some numbers I will believe you but I am doubtful.

honda:

What market does the RDX own 25% of? You didnt specify what segment you were talking about. This vehicle has few direct competitors and has not sold well for Acura. Its not efficient, its not spacious and its not attractive. Its most direct competitor is likely the EX which is also a sales flop.

This thing weighs less and has less power than the bloated Ford Edge. Yet, the MPG ratings are effectively identical. I expect more from a turbo four.

jmess:

EX a driver's car, yes but this 'station wagon' has 3.5 inches less rear seat room than my 128! Meaning that if you not eligible to star in an upcoming little people big world episode you have no business riding in back seat. This thing is an abomination from a practicality standpoint. If practicality doesn't matter you get the G37 coupe, if it does you get the G37 sedan, if you want less room more weight and worse mileage you get the EX- smart, very smart Infiniti. A car that can't even compete in its own lineup- what a pathetic waste of time and money.

Once upon a time....

@jmess

"Honda should include a can of black spray paint with each new Acura. So owners can black out the ugly front grills."

+1

The current Acura styling turns my stomach.

"What market does the RDX own 25% of? You didn't specify what segment you were talking about."

"Are you sure? Acuras sales are in the complete toilet....how can they own 25% of any market? If you can show some numbers I will believe you but I am doubtful."

@1487/Bodyblue, actually my numbers were a bit too conservative. It's actually 38% in its first full year of sales. I'm unsure of the current numbers since there are more offerings in that segment.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/acura/2009-acura-rdx-ar59307.html

Yes, sales didn't meet Acura's expectations but the vehicle was introduced right before gas prices spiked and vehicles sales hit the bottom.

I actually had a loaner RDX for 2 days while my 2003 Acura CL-S 6MT was in for service last year and was quite pleased with the performance. It's is a bit stiff but I prefer it over something of the RX variety.

The only things I didn't like:

- Its lack of substance (interior).

- The materials weren't quite where they needed to be. It didn't exactly feel cheap but compared to the newer Acura's (TSX and TL) it just didn't feel as substantial.

- As with most Honda's the 5AT gearing is a bit long and the stall speed is slow as molasses. Better gearing (6AT please) and a quicker stall speed would eliminate the "off boost" feel off the line.

- Efficiency was only average for its class as it falls inline with most other competitors in that area.

$36k for a 4cyl 2WD Acura SUV????????? For $27k i can get a fully loaded Outlander XLS 4WD V6.

That's a beautiful car.

I'd probably take a VW GTI for 10k less with almost as much utility.

Thanks for the comparison!

FWD RDX appears to be pitching for enthusiasts (Amazingly, Acura and Honda drivers are often the most aggressive here in Portland OR ! ). Will Acura offer the FWD performance accessories ?

For S. Calif and the drier parts of the USA with smooth dry roads, the FDW's lower price and weight should snare Acura more RDX customers.

it may be ugly but it's the baddest little SUV on the block.

I will agree the Acura badging is a bit dodgy, but there really are not too many dependable alternatives in this segment. That is unless you are content with the Rav-4 or CR-V. The RDX is very comparible in drive quality to the Q5 for significantly less, but I will agree the introduction of the six cylinder would make it even better. I hope soon Acura figures this out.