meagain

I'm not a current owner. I had test driven the previous version a few times and had a loaner for most of the day when I took my husband's TL in for service. We were able to extensively test it then. I "think" it was a 2007.
The memory of it was firmly set in my brain for a comparison.

Today drove the 2010.

First off, in my previous drives of the last model, I didn't insist on a tire check for PSI. The ride was harsh as heck but that may have had to do with overinflation?

The 2010 was VERY different than what my husband and I experienced with the old. Mostly, the SOUND! It was what annoyed the heck out of me when accellerating in the old. That Squeal, scream sound on giving it gas. That Whirrrrrr sound. All gone. The salesman agreed and was SO happy.

So that was the biggie. No high-pitched sounds at all. Just a low-bassy pleasant not loud at all sound. They must've changed something.

The ride was totally doable to me. Some road noise from the tires but it was fine. Just quieter all around to me. I hated that high-pitched deal. I even asked the salesman if I might've experienced bad old RDX's and he said "No - the noise is VERY reduced and the tone is very different" Much better.

I think the beak on THIS car is gorgeous. Totally works IMO. Very pretty car and I like the improvements.

What I really wanted to drive was a FWD version (I have a clunker and would appreciate the mpg savings). Would anyone venture to guess what the difference in ride would be between the SH-AWD and the FWD version?

My negatives on the car are the wonky cargo area. Still the same with the stupid rear side bars for the shade cover, the darned hooks to secure the 2nd row seats, which all protrude into the space. That all seems the same.

meagain

The USB port is an oddball. Inside the center console, fairly high up on the passenger side, you press this simple button to release the USB which is on a 6 inch or so cord. The aux is still by button number 6 on the dash. I didn't see a little hole to feed a cord from the USB area to the cabin but I'm sure one could squeeze through. I didn't test this.

Not sure how much the screen menu changed with the Tech but the quality was very nice.

Carbon2008RDX

The ride will be exactly the same regardless if FWD or SH-AWD. The SH-AWD is for handling and yaw control and traction in foul weather conditions.

vrflyer

Such a nice sound to hear if you're a turbo car nut, but I can also see why many people who are NOT used to a turbo implemented engine don't quite get it.

brizey

I love the sound of my 2007. If anything, it is too quiet. I like engine noises.

MMike1981

true, and i do like the turbo noise, but on top of that, it seems like there is an opening in the front notwithstanding the turbo noise that the RDX never seems silenced from the outside...just too much wind, air, cabin noise for my taste....i like to hear the engine, but not every single thing else

CSpaR

Yes, one thing Acuras lack (my 2005 TSX and 2008 RDX) is good road noise dampening. Wonder if the cost is too high to add better noise dampening?

Carbon2008RDX

Add a drop in K&N filter and it does wonders for "increasing" the sound of the turbo woosh (not to mention better tip in throttle response and performance and possibly better milage).

diggerdave38

I did a drop in K&N and it seems to give the car a different engine tone. I think it also gives the car slightly better performance, but who knows. If you want the engine way louder, just rig up a cold air intake. I put one in a Civic I had way back when and it sounded like a race bike.

Agent70

to meagain -- I believe the Acura press release said the leather is supposed to be better than before. Did you notice any diff? If so, in what way? Also, do you remember if the plastic on the new front and rear is black or dark gray? It looks black in pics, but dark gray on the configurator (especially with cyrstal black pearl exterior). Thanks.

meagain

Agent - I don't recall any differences in the leather. Didn't pay attention to that.
I recall it being black but don't quote me on that. Sorry.

Agent70

Thanks. I'm trying to avoid going to see it in person -- might not be able to resist pulling the trigger (getting the 3-year itch).

BigHatch

you don't plug a cord from the USB to the dash... you'd plug a device into the USB. thats it.

JeffS

Agent, the plastic around the fog light opening, the fog light itself and the rear trim surrounding the license plate are painted silver.

Personally I think they would look better in body color or even black, but that's just my .

The press release also say something to the effect of upgrades leather colors for a more luxious look, but I could tell any difference.

Agent70

Thanks Jeff. I was actually wondering about the plastic bumpers though. I'm guessing they're black like in the pics and not dark gray like on the configurator (colors always seem a little off with the on-line configs for some reason).

richmond5

Have my RDX for 2 years and 25000 miles, no service reminder to replace neither engine nor cabin filter, normal? I change mine anyway at two years mark