![]() On the city or the highway, the RDX’s sound insulated cabin shields most of the noise out very well but there were still some minor droning that crept through which I attribute to the Blizzak winter tires equipped here. With perhaps a little more highway driving and less of Toronto’s bumper to bumper traffic, I can easily see most people hitting those rated numbers. Acura rates the RDX at 12.4L/100km city, 8.7L/100km highway and 10.7L/100km combined. My week’s combined average wound up being 11.2L/100km with most of the seat time well within city limits but most of mileage being on the highway. That good.Įqually as touchy (in a good and bad way) is the gas pedal and it took me a little longer than expected to feel out how much pedal travel is truly needed to maintain a constant highway speed to get some good fuel economy. This doesn’t mean the RDX can’t stop smoothly but more than one journalist has commented on how well the brakes function and you will likely have to recalibrate your right foot to adjust. Delightfully, the brakes are even moreso adept at hauling this animal down as they have zero dead travel in the pedal and bite hard immediately. Throwing the vehicle into a corner proves the RDX is competent but not exciting. The suspension is taut but offers a comfortable and smooth ride nothing that would surprise you. of torque, giving the car a great sense of heft despite its 3,962 lb. The all-wheel-drive system functions invisibly and wonderfully to help plant all 279 horsepower and 252 lb-ft. Eschewing the current trend of forced induction engines as seen in its competitors, the RDX’s throttle response is immediate, deliciously throaty and will forcefully but smoothly pull the vehicle to speed. The RDX’s strength (quite literally) lies in its choice of powerplant: a 3.5 liter, 24 valve i-VTEC V6 engine mated to an all-wheel-drive system. This compounds the frustration as the on-board navigation system might seem quick as you initially navigate it but will slow down as it tries to predict your typed in address one letter at a time. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enthusiasts should look elsewhere as this iteration of Acura’s system lacks such support. Neither one will wow you and my time with it was somewhat frustrating for anything other than radio and Bluetooth streaming music options from my phone. Most folks used to this feature will undoubtedly hit the dash trim a few times before finding the actual button.Įquipped with a stacked, dual-screen infotainment system, Acura has taken the approach of having a lower resolution but larger display up top coupled with a slightly higher resolution and smaller touch screen within driver’s reach. Last but not least is the start/stop button is which located peculiarly low and almost tacked onto the left side of the centre console trim. The other is the volume knob which is placed high up the center console stack. The odd exceptions are the rear window controls which, whilst placed logically on the armrest, are towards the rear of where you hand would fall and require a slight wrist contortion or a movement of the entire arm to reach. For most part, everything needed is well within reach of the eight-way power driver’s seat which is also both heated and cooled (ditto on the passenger side). Amongst the sea of SUVs on the market today, the RDX might easily get lost in the rest of the pack – perfect for those who just want to blend in.Ĭontrasting the dark exterior is the very polite and pleasant (how Japanese) Parchment Leather interior. Acura has toned down the front ‘beak’ and it’s now laid back and looks more like a blade edge or an arrowhead. With its somewhat rounded, bulbous shape, the RDX isn’t going to be on anyone’s list of stunning SUVs but it is inoffensive. From certain angles and partial sunlight, the intended dark brown color does come through but for most part, looks grey or black. The Kona Coffee Metallic paint job the car came in didn’t give me the java jolt I was expecting from the Hawaiian namesake. Enter the 2018 Acura RDX Elite, which I had the keys to for the week and was more than happy to put on my ‘dad hat’ and see what the fuss is all about. This space requirement is what continues to stoke the red hot compact SUV market as the defacto choice for growing families as no one ever wants to project the ‘soccer mom’ vibe in a utilitarian minivan. The reason? To be able to accomodate baby seats and strollers while still humanely hosting other passengers in the back (in-laws I presume). With most of my friends married and now having kids, more and more of them are considering jumping from a compact car to some sort of crossover.
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