WE LIKE Winding road handling, excellent packaging
WE DON’T LIKE Vague brakes, infotainment interface
Acura has stepped up its game with the new compact RDX, but it’s trying to be all things to all buyers.
The Acura’s wide net leads to confusion about what aiming to be. “It’s torn between being luxurious and soft like a Lincoln, sporty like an Alfa, or techy like an Audi, and those things sorta cancel each other out,” Christian Seabaugh observed.
With a powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four engine derived from the Civic Type R, the RDX sends power to all four wheels via Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. We enjoyed driving the RDX on winding roads in Sport+ mode, but we didn’t feel the emotion we expected.
Overall, “the drive, the package, and the cargo space at the price Acura is asking make this a fairly compelling prospect,” Frank Markus said.
However, there was one unanimous complaint: the RDX’s vague braking feel and response. Given that Acura equipped the RDX with “limousine” brakes, slowing down precisely was frustrating for many. Said Scott Evans: “Trying to make a stop sign is much harder than it needs to be.”
The exterior design is a step forward for Acura, but its busy lines and massive grille and logo kept it from winning our hearts. Inside, there’s a steep learning curve to control the infotainment system via its touchpad, which Angus MacKenzie described as “distractingly difficult to use on the road.”
We also highlighted its active safety technologies, like the accurate lane keeping assist software and the adaptive cruise control that maintained a set speed on steep downhills.
“I was impressed by the Acura,” Gordon Dickie said. “To me, it’s a quantum leap forward to capture more market share in this segment.”
READ ABOUT 2019 SUV OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS:
- BMW X2
- BMW X3
- BMW X4
- Cadillac XT4
- Ford EcoSport
- Ford Edge
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Infiniti QX50
- Jaguar E-Pace
- Jeep Cherokee
- Lexus RX L
- Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
- Nissan Kicks
- Subaru Ascent
- Toyota RAV4
READ ABOUT 2019 CAR OF THE YEAR CONTENDERS:
- Buick Regal
- Ford Mustang
- Ford Transit Connect
- Hyundai Accent
- Hyundai Elantra
- Honda Clarity
- Kia Forte
- Lexus ES
- Lexus LS
- Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Avalon
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback
- Volkswagen Jetta
| 2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD | |
| Base Price/As tested | $40,295/$51,715 |
| Power (SAE net) | 272 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
| Torque (SAE net) | 280 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Accel, 0-60 mph | 7.1 sec |
| Quarter-mile | 15.5 sec @ 90.7 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 133 ft |
| Lateral Acceleration | 0.81 g (avg) |
| MT Figure Eight | 27.7 sec @ 0.62 g (avg) |
| EPA City/Hwy/Comb | 21/27/23 mpg |
| VEHICLE LAYOUT | Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV |
| ENGINE/TRANSMISSION | 2.0L turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 /10-speed automatic |
| CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) | 4,072 lb (57/43%) |
| WHEELBASE | 108.3 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT | 186.8 x 74.8 x 65.7 in |
| ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY | 160/125 kW-hrs/100 miles |
| CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB | 0.83 lb/mile |
The post Acura RDX: 2019 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Finalist appeared first on Motor Trend.
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