Again in 1986, Honda’s new luxurious automotive division, Acura, aimed squarely on the established premium automotive market with athletic, well-built and dependable automobiles that instantly altered how patrons felt about what they need to count on from their hard-earned funding. With the compact Integra and the midsize Legend, Acura acquired an enormous head-start on Lexus and Infiniti.
At the moment, Acura outsells Lincoln, Cadillac, Volvo and Infiniti with two merchandise that account for 75 p.c of its U.S. gross sales. The total-size MDX crossover, and this week’s RDX compact crossover, every outsell the three remaining automobiles (mixed) in Acura’s lineup.
When the RDX debuted in 2006, it was loosely primarily based on Honda’s CR-V. Now, it’s longer than the CR-V and carefully mimics the scale of its major rivals within the luxurious automotive crossover section, merchandise referred to as the Audi Q5, the BMW X3, Cadillac’s XT4, the Genesis GV70, the Infiniti QX50, the Lexus NX, Mercedes’ GLC and Volvo’s XC60. This can be a group with a number of very competent choices.
The overwhelming majority of those five-passenger wagons use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine as base energy — identical to the Acura. The RDX will get factors for making its turbo-motor probably the most highly effective, with a sturdy 272 hp and 280 pound/toes of push-in-the-back torque. Weighing lower than all however the Cadillac, the RDX can be the second least costly in base FWD kind, beginning at $41,145.
This third era RDX is 187 inches lengthy, on high of a 108-inch wheelbase. By comparability, the Acura has the longest physique within the class, however the second shortest wheelbase, bettering solely the Lexus. Longer wheelbase normally interprets into extra steady driving dynamics and a smoother journey. That the RDX proved safe and composed throughout an unsightly stretch of sub-zero January climate says quite a bit about how a lot this machine has matured.
When first sampled 15 years in the past, it was simple to see that the RDX was a game-changer. It was extra athletic than its early friends, like many Honda merchandise are. The cabin was properly finished, however not outrageous. The primary RDX was a balanced performer at a time when not each compact crossover was nicely sorted out. Worth was evident with high quality in lots of the particulars.
The identical stays true now. The texture of the leather-clad steering wheel suits your fingers appropriately. The 16-way suede and leather-based seats are good; supportive for lengthy days, but simple to climb out and in of. The accent stitching, the 27-element inside lighting selections, the digital driving aids, the spectacular 16-seaker ELS audio system, plus the textures on the surfaces that you just work together with appears acceptable for the premium class — $52,845 as proven in mid-level A-Spec trim carrying luscious Apex Blue Pearl paint.
In a sea of cars painted black, white and a few shade of silver/grey, the Acura’s vibrant shade was alluring. The entire stance and design of the wagon appears environment friendly, correct.
Different noteworthy content material contains Amazon Alexa, wi-fi charging and entry to Apple and Android, heated and ventilated entrance seats, encompass view digital camera and jewel-eye LED lighting. The Tremendous Dealing with AWD ($2,000) provides dynamic driving choices and paddle shifters, however no locking button to maintain all 4 wheels pulling ahead. The high-resolution heart panel display screen gives navigation and a wealth of information, but the mouse-pad controller on the console could be very distracting to function whereas driving.
Being lighter than its rivals helps the RDX really feel very spritely. Much less weight for the turbo to energy down the street helped Acura engineers abandon the heavier V-6 engine previously used right here. EPA scores are 21/26/23 mpg for AWD fashions operating by way of a slick 10-speed automated. With a lot of the RDX’s go to coinciding with sub-zero temps, gasoline financial system barely acquired to 21 mpg for the entire week, together with a prolonged sunny day run to Bingham and again.
Two ideas: Acura received’t have a hybrid model prepared till late this 12 months, which appears like a miss with this mid-cycle makeover of such an essential product. Honda’s spectacular success with the CR-V Hybrid solely provides to the miscalculation. The Acura ADX, its first EV, received’t seem till late 2023.
The RDX is clearly superior to a number of of its opponents, however the Korean manufacturers are quick looming within the rear-view mirror. Genesis’s GV70 has the worth quotient system down pat and is making speedy inroads within the luxurious section, whereas Kia’s newest Sorento matches the RDX in content material and options for considerably much less cash. It could not have the premium cache, but, nonetheless quickly escalating new automotive costs and restricted product availability are creating client nervousness available in the market. Even with the Acura constructed proper right here in Ohio, manufacturing is affected by the identical supply-side and laptop chip points as different builders.
Subsequent week: Mitsubishi Outlander SEL
Tim Plouff has been reviewing cars within the pages of The Ellsworth American weekly for almost twenty years.
