That was plan A, but unfortunately circumstances require me to get a new ride right away, not in 6 months. That will probably be next after this lease is up, whatever I choose.

When you mentioned snow I had a feeling you were in Canada, I’m from Edmonton, not sure where you’re from. But if your weather has been anything like it has here then you need to wait till the roads clear and take it on a real drive. The current conditions do not allow for a good drive. My opinion is go get the NX because the 2G RDX is terrible in the handling department. Feels like you’re driving a boat and my understanding is that the NX handles much more tight and offers a lot more features as well in F-sport trim. But I admit to not driving the NX before. Alternatively go take a look at the Jaguar F-pace, gorgeous looks and RWD based so handle very well. They start at like 50K but you can get one with decent options for a bit more keeping in mind the NX goes up to about 60k iirc.

He’s in Canada. Our top trim Acura products are labeled “elite” while our top trim Honda products are sometimes called “Advanced”, I understand it is the other way around for you guys in the states.

Also from Edmonton. Cheers to terrible road conditions - haha.

Sorry, in Canada Elite = Advance.

Haha I had a feeling! When you mentioned summer time driving the first thing that came to mind was groat road! My 2007 RDX chewed up and spit out groat road like it was nothing! My advice is to take the NX onto groat road on a dryer day (hopefully we get some warmer dryer weather soon) and then let us know how it is. But IMO you can’t possibly do worse than the 2G RDX. Cheers to the terrible conditions, but they do make it very fun!

I am obsessed with the F-pace. I absolutely love the styling and thr fact it comes with a supercharged V6 and RWD based platform is just amazing. My one issue with it though is that reliability might be suspect and also I’ve read on many reviews that the interior materials are somewhat cheap. So I agree, it will really have to depend on what they are going for in a few years for me as well.

There are also minor feature differences as well in the Canadian 2nd gen RDX. eg we’ve always had a white with black interior option which wasn’t available for a long time in the US.

I’ve read the A-spec will be available at launch this summer. I also have a 2008 RDX which replaced my 1996 Intégra - both bought new. I have it detailed every year and people can’t believe how old it is. I love it for the same reasons you do. If it doesn’t shake your kidneys a little it isn’t a car IMHO :-) A 2020 RDX may be in my future. If I had to pick one right now like the OP, I would go with the NX but the new X3 is beautiful and JD Power puts BMW owner satisfaction above Acura. It’s a new model too but has a lot from the 5 series parts bin.

Congratulations man! Post some pics of the new ride (you know, when the weather is not comparable to that of Antarctica!!). What color combo did you go with? I hate to admit it but I love the atomic orange (I think that’s what it is called) color on the NX and that would probably be my pick. This weather absolutely sucks for driving but I can guarantee you that you made the right choice since you’re looking for some decent handling. I despise what Acura did with the 2G RDX and fingers crossed the 3G won’t be like it. Also, for what it’s worth, the AWD system in the NX can at least send 50% of the torque to the rear whereas the RDX can only send 40% and with the terrible weather we’ve had the slightly superior AWD system is much appreciated.

Nice! I like that combo as well. Did you go with the F-sport model? Black rims always looks sweet on a white body, good call! I have no issues driving in this weather, it’s the other drivers that really cause issues for me personally. People throwing themselves in front of me during turns, people stomping on the brakes for literally no reason, it’s just pandemonium with other people on the roads. Looking forward to some pics!

Mentally I’m sold on picking up a CPO 3G RDX in 3-4 years hopefully but I’m trying not to get too excited without driving it first and seeing the production model. There is also the Jag F-Pace which I am sure is going to depreciate like a ton of bricks by 3-4 years so we’ll have to see at that time. I’m just very happy to have so many awesome viable choices.

I really like your list. I wanted to like the 3G MDX more but after being given a 2016 loaner to drive for a few days while my RDX was being repaired I just couldn’t like it. It for sure feels more car-like vs our truck like 2G models, but it also feels big. Like it felt really large and while I did take it on some highway on-ramps and got the tires squealing (rather easily) I just never got that same feel as my 2G. However I do need to keep in mind the sport hybrid has a different transmission and adaptive shocks. My other concern with the sport hybrid is that it can only ever use 68hp in the rear whereas the standard models can send 70% of the power to the rear and I feel that would help rotate the car better.

I have yet to get any seat time in a F-pace but many reviewers seem to note that it can feel a little cheap and it is lacking some more modern luxury touches, however it has a solid drivetrain and the best exhaust note in an SUV. My dream garage consists of a F-Pace and F-Type.

Based on what I seen of the RDX prototype it looks like it will be a good compromise between sport and luxury. It appears to have some really nice quality touches and the technology while not at the cutting edge, is still very very competitive with the best out there. What color choice were you thinking of? Since they have yet to explain interior options (and not holding my breath on a red leather interior option) I am hoping for san-marino red on beige.

A bit of a dark horse third choice for me would be the Alfa Romeo stelvio with that absolutely stunning 2.9TT engine or even the normal 2.0t (0-60 in 5.4s!!!). It is a lot like the F-pace with 50:50 weight distribution, RWD-based, and nice proportions. But that rear end is too bulbous and more importantly reliability will have to be proven....this is very iffy.

Yup that’s my largest concern. From what I understand Alfa is trying to improve reliability but not so sure it’s where I would like it to be.