2020 Acura RDX – An MVP with a critical flaw
In fact, there are a few of any differences between the two. We were impressed when we tested the RDX a year ago, but it was brand new. Then considering it’s one of the best selling small luxury SUVs in the market. We figured it was important to figure out if our opinion holds up a year later, so stick around and we’ll unpack more of what we like and dislike about the RDX, including figuring out which one of the RDX are the best value Music Music. One year later, the design of the RDX still feels fresh and compared to Acuras old, beat styling. This one looks like it will be, an instant classic. The logo is too big, but the broad, clean, grill and rakish headlights look good in this upper character line which swoops from the windshield to the rear hatch, makes up for the comically large acura badge. Applause that sharp styling carries into the cabin which has this bold red leather it’s instantly eye catching, which is probably why we’re seeing it more often on new luxury cars. I’M glad we’re, looking at mostly red upholstered seats and just a hint of red in the rest of the cabin it’s not overwhelming the seats themselves, are very comfortable it’s, not hard to find a comfortable driving position. The rear seats provide plenty of head and legroom, even for someone my size. Frankly, the RDX pushes the limits of what constitutes a compact SUV. Not only does it have plenty of room for passengers, but it also packs ample rear cargo space, it’s easily accessible, the load floors at a good height, and you have cubbies down here with a hidden compartment below the cargo floor.
So what do I not like? Well, most of what’s, going on over here you’ve got conventional climate controls, which are good, but the good ends there. The vivid widescreen infotainment system should in theory, be great, but it’s operated via this touchpad down by the shifter. This is similar to the less remote touch. Trackpad but Acura has added more complexity with the separate scroller for the right third of the screen. The RDX comes with apple carplay, which is nice, but that system is optimized for a touchscreen. This controller is designed to map directly to the infotainment screen. So if you touch the top left corner of the pad, it clicks on whatever is in the top left corner of the screen, but it still negates the simplicity of car play. Consider BMW in its I Drive system, BMW basically introduced infotainment to the industry and the fact that it’s adopted a touchscreen in recent years speaks volumes. Perhaps you’re like me and think a touchscreen would have solved everything here or maybe you think remotely operated. Infotainment is the way to go wherever you land leave a comment below and let us know what you think above the base spec RDX. There are effectively three packages that operate as trim levels, including technology, a spec in advance, but CarGurus recommends the base RDX because it comes so well equipped. It comes with standard features like the 10.5 inch touchscreen, how moonroof leather heated front seats, Bluetooth, connectivity, apple, carplay and a whole host of driver assistance features ensure our ace spec came with some visual upgrades, ventilated seats, this massive panoramic moonroof and a fantastic 16 speaker, Els Audio system, but the base RDX, is where the value lives.
If you’d, like a more detailed breakdown of each package of the RDX check out my written review via the link in the description below no matter which level of the RDX you select, it comes with the same engine it’s a 2 liter turbocharged, four cylinder that makes 272 horsepower sent through a 10 speed automatic transmission. The power can be sent in the front, wheels or available super handling. All wheel drive. You can use the steering wheel, mounted paddle shifters on our a spec test model, but I didn’t really bother to use manual mode. Instead, I’ve tested the drive mode dial, which provides comfort, snow sport and sport plus drive modes it’s almost comical how much of the this dial takes up below it? You have separate buttons for park neutral and drive, and then this weird pull tab for reverse automakers claim these shifters and dials save space, because the center console area is so valuable, but look at how much unused spaces in this center console and one upside to all. This unused space, then it makes it easier to find the cancel button for the auto stop star system. I don’t really like these systems, even if they do save fuel in the long term, speaking of which the RDX uses premium fuel in our all wheel, drive a spec test model returns an EPA estimated 22 miles per gallon city 27. Highway 24, combined even with stop start turned off and a week of combined city and highway driving observed fuel economy of just over 22 mpg plus I’m sure my observed fuel economy would have been better if I didn’t leave it in sport mode, the entire time the Rdx provides great acceleration with almost no turbo lag.
The tennspeed Auto manages power well and easily gets you up to speed when you want to pass people on the highway just as crucial. The handling is great, both around town and on the highway, where you can take big sweeping turns at considerable speed. Our test model came with features like forward collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and Lane Keeping Assist combined. The last two features and you have a car that nearly drives itself, provided you keep a hand on the wheel base MSRP for the 2020 Acura RDX is thirty, seven thousand six hundred dollars, which is two hundred dollars more than last year. Our all wheel, drive effect test model started at forty five thousand eight hundred dollars, and while that pricing is typical for the segment, the base price is fantastic. Considering what you get if the infotainment was bad, I would not have recommended this car and I have recommended it to many shoppers over the past six months now, there’s, no denying that the infotainment could still use some work and in some cases, depending on the person It’S even led me to steer them towards the bmw x3 instead, but the RDX is still a capable spacious, luxury, crossover and it’s still a great value, thanks for watching subscribe to see more videos like our review on the BMW x3. If you think I’m over blowing the infotainment or if you think it could be an actual deal breaker, let us know in the comments and to read my full review in the 2020 Acura RDX go to cargurus.
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Lol this clown…the logo is to big… who are u the logo guru lol clown
Well I don’t have a screen at all in my car so it couldn’t be that bad 😂😂😂
I ALMOST DIDN'T LOOK AT THE RDX BECAUSE OF WHAT THIS GUY WAS SAYING.
I BELIEVED HIM . HOWEVER I DID DECIDE TO TAKE A QUICK LOOK FOR MY SELF.
TOTALLY DISAGREED.
GUESS WHAT I BOUGHT THE RDX ASPEC .
ITS A REALLY FUN AND EASY TO DRIVE .
LAST TIME I LISTEN TO THIS GUY ON CAR GURU.
Test drove this today and would not buy one without SHAWD. drove on a twisting mountain rd and was literally fighting the wheel to keep it in lane. It doesn't feel confident on some roads like my 2012 acura mdx with shawd. Also engine noise from stop comes thru the cabin and sounds like a lawnmower. My wife didnt like that at all! Love it though once it gets going and the engine noise calms down. Gets up to speed in a hurry! Also more cabin noise than the Mdx. 10 speed transmission is overkill and doesnt work well in sport and sport +. Transmission doesn't get any better fuel economy. I averaged 21 mpg in mixed driving. My mdx gets 18 to 20 mpg Bring back old 6speed Push btton is scary if you have to turn and back up on a dime as you have to look down. pls acura bring back shift column or rotary dial. Also base model doesn't have blindspot monitoring and cross traffic alert and no navigation so if you lose cell service no navigation for u. Other wise still love Acura but will wait for 2021 mdx
The front is good but the back just looks like a budget CRV. Those taillights are shit.
Damn that blue is sharp
I would have bought this car if there was touch screen. Honda crv or Hyundai santa fe are better.
Are there any changes between the 2019 and the 2020? You mention it during the opening shot but never mention it again
Your blowing it
Is this guy dumb, The nav is easy to use I HAVE A RDX it's easy to use!
What color blue is that ?
administrator gia perez of New Hyde Park, NY is a fat drunk slob & gossip-only good paying job she had was wiggling her but in skin tight jeans to drive a guys lexus-some black man she was shacking up with in sin-before she was a drunk fat slob-it's on video
A logo badge NOT too big. Stands out as it should.
Touch screens are cheaper to produce than buttons, switches and trackpads, but in a moving car a touch screen NOT (distracted driving) safe or inaccurate oops my finger hit the wrong part of the screen. I have driven or been driven in lots of different vehicles and have yet to find an infotainment system layout that works well, INTUITIVE , safe as old fashion buttons and easy to read. Odd since so many car buyers are obsessed with these systems. They likely add $ to the price, are profitable for the car companies but have features that are outdated for the consumer by the time they are in production.
I had planned to replace my aging Acura with a New RDX last year. However, when the car premiered with the features shown here, I put off the purchase until I had a good look at the then-new Honda Passport. I recently bought the Passport Touring. I prefer the more traditional V-6 engine to the modern trend to over-stressed,small displacement, turbo boosted 4 bangers, which deliver nothing I don''t get in the V-6 except seriously shortened life and high gas prices. When you factor in the gas price difference, the Passport costs less to run for fuel, delivers better power and performance. My Passport has all of the conveniences of the RDX without the juklebox dashboard design. Finally the Passport has a lot more room and costs very much less. It's a no brainer.
The touch-pad is actually very easy to use. Takes just a few minutes to learn.
Acura changes the infotainment again and people are still complaining lmao. Like holy shit! Nothing is perfect. Car companies cant hit it on the head perfectly!!!!! It's still a great car for the MONEY.
We bought a '20 tech in Jan '20 (2 mos ago) We've had the car 60 days and I'm on my 5th trip back to the dealer. I've never had this happen before. We're Honda/Acura loyalists, this being our 9th Honda/Acura vehicle and it's an embarrassment to the brand.
Within the first month we had to have lower control arm bushings replaced, which is a known problem that they're still not repairing but selling this way. The brakes constantly squeal and there's no TSB, so no resolution. The lift gate was misaligned and damaged the tailgate trim and the Acura rep wants to "sand down the clear-coat" to smooth the damage versus replacing the trim – on a NEW car, and it has the worst leather seat upholstery stitching and assembly I've ever seen.
It's also a gas guzzler, averaging 17.5 in mixed driving and only 20 or 21 on 500 mile highway drive. It doesn't even approach the EPA numbers on the window sticker, EVER. All the complexity of a four cylinder turbo w/10 speed transmission to get what MPG? Huh? My pick up truck does better!
The only bright side is that the dealer is great, but they can't make up for a poorly designed and manufactured vehicle.
There are much better choices. Save yourself from the mistake we made, look at something else. There's already one class action suit for this redesigned model. Buyers beware.
it's a fantastic car until you drive it in Canada… when snow hits you get all sorts of error, "front radar, lane departure, collision warning, braking system and so on.." – never had these issues on ILX, TLX, XT5, XC90.. — ahh.. also, front and read parking sensors start beeping , mistaking snow for an object.
He says if you don't like the RDX, buy a BMW? Why not just seek out an old Corvair? I looked at an RDX last year, didn't like thge turbo engine, didn't like the wisz-bang console.
Then I looked at a Passport: better design, better engine, proven transmission, larger, more features, and in my case, about $5000 cheaper. Deal!
Join this Facebook group about the RDX https://www.facebook.com/groups/2280777962201435/?ref=share
– I've had my new 2020 RDX for a week now & it replaced an identical 2017.
– And it sucks! It lurches in Reverse. The button shifter is stupid. ( the mid 1950's Ramblers and Doges had them too & they went down the toilet). And the Sirius Radio is too complicated, compared to the previous touch screen buttons. I'll probably get the hang of doing everything the new way, in time. But my question is; why the extra effort? When the previous way of doing things was just fine.
My wife as had 3 RDXs, so we have experienced the evolution of this Acura model. She is currently driving a 2018 so the next one would be the new model with the touch screen interface. I agree with the reviewer, the center console setup is massive and the gear selector is unconventional to say the least. Touch pads are fidgety, and are no less safe than a touch screen. However, putting the screen on the top of the dash pretty much does away a touch screen option. We have loved the Acura RDX's price point, the way it comes packed with options and its drive-ability. But the dash setup looks more faddish than a step forward. Just review the 2019/20 Audi Q3 instrument panel to see a setup that really is a step forward. No tablet glued to the top of the dash, most interface options available through the steering wheel and the coolest touch screen I've seen. We do love the RDX but don't think this new center console is the way to go. And, tone down that front grille logo – we get it . . . it's an Acura!!
No android auto SMH
I would never settle for base trim and especially not FWD on an SUV. I would say at least get the Tech package and SH-AWD if you insist on the base trim. Otherwise, I am all about the A-Spec (SH-AWD, of course)!
You didn’t even mention SH-AWD… It feels like the car is on rails when you take a sharp corner at high speed, which is VERY remarkable for such a tall car.
I don't mind a non-touch screen, but this center console is way to complex looking and busy. Cars can have many tech features, but can still remain simple clean design.
The RDX 'recommends' premium fuel. We've been mainly using regular or mid grade fuel since ownership 10 months ago and have noticed no performance effects for our driving patterns. The Acura badge on the front grille was a minor attraction for me. I love it. Each to his own but to me it isn't "comically" large. The base model might be the best value but for us the 16 speaker ELS sound system was crucial in our decision to purchase the Advance package along with all the other goodies. So far….it's been a good ride👍🏻
Read the reviews before you buy one. Jump on forums and see what REAL RDX owners are saying.
Good looking vehicle. Too bad it has a lot of flaws.
We leased a new 2019 RDX ASPEC during last summer here’s the flaws:
Gas mileage sucks.
Due to the panoramic roof the car gets extremely hot during summer.
Turbo does lag, unless on sport mode.
Sports mode kills your MPG.
Brakes screech, Acura already replace brakes and rotors front and back, and still doing the same screech. Acura doesn’t have a fix yet for the brakes.
The rear gate always makes a loud popping noise when backing out of a driveway. It’s worse during summer; any road bumps and the popping noises gets louder. The dealer confirmed the noises, no fix from Acura.
The Radio screen blacks out for no reason. Of course it doesn’t do that when it’s at the dealer.
When you start the car you can’t change the radio stations from the steering wheel control, for a long time. (Really annoying.)
Pretty expensive car to have a lot of BS problems.
Nice to look at, that’s about it. Don’t buy one, let them sit at the lot til Acura fixes the brakes screeching and all the other problems.
I will be posting up a video soon, showing all the flaws.
Hopefully this saves someone a few headaches.
The dash screen is meant to be untouched for finger prints & scratches. The system forces you to adapt to it & is well worth it once you be objective.