I have owned an RDX for two years now and pretty much from the day I got it I have been desiring an MDX. I have gotten about 19mpg on average of combined driving in the City (not that bad traffic) and HWY. I believe that it is on par with the fuel consumption of the MDX (right?).

Now that the prices are affordable for me, I think that if I find the right deal, with the right numbers I may make the move.

So, is fuel consumption similar? I get 15-16 in pure city driving, have gotten up to 23 on the hwy, but its usually 20-21.

Considering 07-09 models, is there a "better" year?

Which package is "worth" having? Don't need to have navi, would like to have heated rear seats (is that only available with the optional entertainment package?)

Common troubles for this cars?

Do the RDX wheels fit? I have an extra set of rims and could keep them if they do....

Do they all have blue-tooth connectivity?

Lastly, has anyone made the jump? and how do you feel about it? the RDX is a very nimble car and waaaay smaller than the MDX, I am afraid that I would feel like I am driving a boat and regret the change, and at the same time I want to have more room.

Thanks in advance.

 

Have you taken the MDX out for a test drive yet?

 

I am scheduling that for the next couple of days. I told the dealer that I wanted the car for a few hours, not just for an around the block test drive.
One of the reasons (probably the most important) for wanting the MDX is room. We have a kid, want to try for the next one in the summer, have a dog and want to get another one. There is not that much room in the RDX for the entire family and "stuff"
The only way for the move to work is only and only if I find the right mileage/price combination, I don't want to increase my monthly payment.

 

Why do you ask? is there something that I will not like?

 

Oh i was just wondering. I think you should like it. It's pretty nimble.

 

Frankly, I'm a tad disappointed with the cargo space behind the second row seats of our '08 MDX. But, in our case we moved up from a Dodge Grand Caravan which was the perfect cargo hauler and gave plenty of room for all our stuff plus two good sized Australian Shepherds. But, we can't have it all, and we do love our MDX in every other way. The pop-up third row seats were the frosting on the cake. The overall length of the MDX is much more compact than the big new GM CUV's and that is what sold my wife on it...it has the overall proportions of a two row SUV but with the option of being able to have third row seats in a pinch.

 

I have heard that it is when compared to the competition. The RDX however makes my Saab Aero feel like an old chevy caprice. It's very stiff and responsive, especially with the 19" wheels.


YOu can't have your cake and eat it too.....unless you get a Suburban
I understand the lack or room behind the third row when in use, but what I need it a nice trunk, ample space in the back seat, and the third row would only be for the once in a blue moon situation that we have the entire family and don't want to drive two cars. I think that the future would be with two or maybe three kids and the two dogs in the trunk. If I need to haul everything the roof box would be the alternative.

 

Yah, I always forget about the roof rack...it could be used in more extreme instances but otherwise kind of a hassle. The Dodge Caravan we had for 9 years (before my wife killed the motor by hydo-locking it while driving thru a pool of water after a rain:o( also had a roof rack but was never used...or needed.

 

I don't think that the rack is useful at all. I had bike racks for the roof and sold them once I got the RDX because I could not see myself trying to put a bike on the roof safely. But as a last resort is a good idea, especially if you have tons of 5h1t to haul.

 

Anybody, please some responses to my questions.........Pretty please....

 

Only experience with an RDX is driving one for a day as a loaner, so can't help you from that aspect.

After 20,500 miles, I average 20 MPG combined, probably 60/40 highway/city split. 100% highway I've seen up to 24 mpg, mostly city I've seen 17 mpg. These are the estimated numbers the dash gives me.

07-09:
2007: no auto-dimming mirror (was an accessory from Acura). Also a few more service bulletins for the 2007 (not recalls) that were fixed in 2008+. Power tailgate only with entertainment (right?)
2008: Aberdeen green discontinued. Desert rock discontinued halfway through the year. First half power tailgate only with entertainment, second half power tailgate separate option for all but base.
2009: Steel blue and one of the greys (nimbus?) discontinued, mocha metallic and bali blue new colors. All models except base have power tailgate standard.

Otherwise everything identical from appearance and options. I'm partial to the 2008 .

Heated rear seats only with entertainment package which also requires either tech or sport which would have navi. I think tech at the least is preferable, more will say sport is worth it but depends on how much you want to spend.

Common troubles? A lot of people have had issues with thumping noise from the rear suspension. Like with any vehicle some have more troubles than others but I don't know of any universal issues.

RDX wheels will not fit as they have a different bolt pattern. RDX rims will fit first generation MDX's (both 5x114.3, new MDX has 5x120--same as Odyssey and Ridgeline)

All have bluetooth connectivity no matter the trim line.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the info....it seems that I want an 08 or newer....for some reason the freaking tailgate button seems to be very very desirable, don't know if it's worth the extra money for the packages. Heated rear seats are also desirable, but the same as above.
hmmmmm maybe time to wait a bit longer before making the jump, the car I want is still too expensive.

Thanks again.

 

To answer your question, I recently moved from an 08 RDX to an 07 MDX Tech Entertainment. I couldn't be happier with the change. But be aware, the vehicles have completely different characteristics. The RDX is definitely faster, more tossable, more nimble and a lot more fun than the MDX. But the MDX is more "mature," if that's the right word to use. It is smoother (much smoother), quieter and no turbo lag (which annoyed me). If the two cars were dogs, the RDX would be a Jack Russell Terrier and the MDX more like a German Shepherd. Both good dogs, but very different in character and size.

I bought the MDX because my 14 year-old son grew six inches in the year after I bought my RDX. He fit fine when I bought it, but now it's a little cramped for him. The MDX is definitely bigger and it's luxury features are a nice touch. The RDX is kind of a pseudo-luxury car, the MDX feels like a real luxury car.

As far as driving, the MDX still is very nimble for its size. The SH-AWD really pushes it through the corners. It's a beast in the snow and gets about 20 mpg around town and 25 or so on the freeway. It's not as fast as the RDX, not as light on its feet, so to speak, but definitely firmer and sportier than other mid-sized SUVs.

My recommendation, if you want something bigger, more sophisticated and mature than the RDX, then you'll be happy with the MDX. If you have kids (more than 2), you'll definitely prefer the MDX.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

 

I had an RDX for a loaner and felt it was quite cramped. IMO it's mission is to service DINKs or empty nesters...people who want a little cargo room but still want somewhat of a sports sedan.

I feel the MDX is one of the most versatile vehicles out there...it literally is a jack of all trades. Before buying our BMW, we had one car for 4 months (our MDX) and it was the perfect vehicle to service all of our needs.

I guess it boils down to the numbers: 1) cost - will an MDX be affordable enough for you? and 2) 300% - the MDX oustold the RDX 3-to-1 in 2009 - there's a reason for that.

 

@Heresy, thanks for the comments.

@Type, I was a DINK Now we have a kid and plan to have more. The reason the MDX outsold the RDX is because the RDX is appealing to a very small group of people, not necessarily because it's a bad car.