New member here. I'm shopping for a new car. I finally got my "dream car", a BMW 325i, and have enjoyed it. But I got the sport package with the stiffer suspension, and I've decided that was a mistake. On smooth freeways it is wonderful, but on our less than perfect streets it is punishing. I also need a car with more cargo space, more space for passengers (in particular back row) and I desire a taller ride... an SUV or CUV.

I've looked at Pilot, CR-V, CX-7, Enclave, Murano, RX350, and Highlander. I have also become "spoiled" by the higher end touches of the BMW, and I would love a luxury brand. So far the RX350 comes closest to what I need in cargo and passenger space, with the luxury, although with an uninspiring ride.

I don't have Infiniti or Acura dealerships here, but will visit both this summer while on a trip to Dallas. I'm leaning towards an MDX or RDX. I'm positive the MDX Sport will meet all of my criteria, but I am also intrigued by the RDX Tech. It appeals to all the "boy racer" in my ego and my gadget geek side as well. I would have loved to own one when I was younger and single, but now I'm 54, a tad "slower", married with one child.

So how harsh is the RDX's ride? Is it going to be similar to my BMW Sport package? If so I bet it would be FUN for the test drive but I predict I would tire of living with it, driving on the streets here.

I also have to determine (from sight) if the second row seating is comfortable for adults and the maximum cargo space meets my needs. I may have to pony up the $$$ to get the MDX, but I sure keep looking at the RDX brochure!

 

out of the models you have listed above...the Acura sure does have the stiffest ride out of the pack. I dont think you will find it fatiguing, in fact, its really not all that noticable until you hit a stiff rut, or large bump, overall driving experience is taught and compliant but in no means soft or similar to the RX, but having the car that you have, i think ull find it very easy to live with day to day

2nd row seating is more than accomodating. the enclave is a bigger truck. if you dont need the 3rd row the RDX is much more thrilling to drive and exiciting. the mdx altho having the shawd...is not really that enthrawling. drive the rdx and ull see why we all love it. stay away from the Mazda like the plague....if you are looking at the Pilot, its redesigned for 2009 (and the touring model is actually pretty solid) but lacks the shawd and driving dynamics of the mdx. the crv is underpowered.

 

o, and if its features you are into, the Murano has it all for similar pricing of the Acura...the cvt isnt too shabby the RDX drives/handles better in comparison.

 

Thanks for your replies!

My wife liked the Murano, and I should , intellectually, but I am not that excited about the looks.

My wife's car is an '05 Odyssey, so we have all the room we need there. And we only have one 7 year old child, although she's at the age that we often carry her friends around. Again, the minivan has been perfect for that.

But I want a bigger vehicle for my car, and one that will carry some musical equipment on occasion so my wife and I don't have to exchange cars. Plus, I would like the second row big enough that my family is almost as comfortable riding in it as they might be in the (huge) Odyssey. But I don't need a third row, which is why I am rethinking the Pilot/Highlander cars. I sat in an 09 Pilot yesterday and it seemed almost as big as our Odyssey on the interior. (And I didn't care for the CX-7 I drove, interior materials not impressive.)

So I don't need the 3rd row of the MDX, but I may need the cargo room for my equipment. Someone on an MDX forum also owns the RDX, and he has steered me towards the MDX Sport. He feels like the Sport ride is a refined sport suspension, but more forgiving than the RDX suspension. Plus the Comfort button is available when the roads get too rough, or you just want that ride.

But the MDX is much more expensive than the RDX, and possibly bigger than I need.

I'm glad there are car forums on the Internet. My wife really does not enjoy listening to me go on like this.

 

I sit in the back seat of my RDX all the time when my wife is driving and the baby seat makes the front a bit cramped. I am 6'1" and I have tons of room in the back. Before the baby seat was installed we would have 3 adults in the back no problem.

As for space, with the back seats down, there is tons, though with 3 back seat passengers the rear cargo space, while more than a regular car, is not nearly as much as in my dad's MDX.

This car is a phenomenal drive, though, which I doubt compares to any other SUVs other than maybe the X3.

And I barely notice the suspension in a negative way anymore. I like the feel, and it is rarely very jarring (really seems to be over big problem patches in the road while driving at moderate speeds (e.g., going like 30-40kph and slowing down before a stoplight). I wouldn't let that be an obsticle if the car does everything else you need, because I don't think it is nearly as big of a deal as it is made out to be.

 

huge discounts on all acuras right now, incentives on basically i think all models other than the new tsx. u can get some big money off an mdx to make it comparable to a loaded rdx

 

He's looking at a Sport MDX, it's about $10,000 more than the RDX tech. The MDX sport is going to be more expensive no questions asked.

 

sorry, should have added 08 models i was talking about, going for 6k off +, so if u deal with invoice, +6k, ur alot closer.

 

I'll offer a contrary opinion. I am ok with the RDX's firm ride, though it does border on harsh. My wife OTOH hates it now that she's pregnant. It's stiff enough that her enlarged belly bumps around over relatively minor bumps to the point that she's in pain, and we always take her car instead. We're presuming that this is temporary, but I wouldn't buy it again for that reason alone even though I love everything else about the car (well, except 18 mpg at $4/gallon!).

Try it out for yourself and test out the ride. Chances are good that you'll be ok with it, but if you aren't, don't try to fool yourself into thinking that you are!

 

As I understand it from reading the forum, the 08's have had the suspension softened somewhat.

I have an 07, and it is way too stiff. Unfortunately, I test drove it on smooth roads, but if I was able to test drive it for a week, I would never have bought it. I was watching another RDX on the commute last week, and the ride is so choppy, the thing was pogo-ing front to rear, and the cut line of the lights were jumping up and down on the car in front! And this was on a relatively good road. Most of my passengers comment on how stiff the ride is.

The suspension is one of those things where your mileage my vary. I suggest you give it a good test drive over varying roads before making any decisions.

 

Well

When I asked the dealer during my test drive (back in february 08) about those rumors, he literally told me some people have too much time on their hands to make up these kinds of rumors and post them online...

 

I appreciate the reponses. I'll be honest: without having driven either car, I can almost predict I will prefer the MDX at this time of my life.

My 325i with sport package is wearing on me (but I would have it loved it when younger) and it is one reason I want to change cars. From descriptions I've read, the MDX will have the heighth, space and ride that are the driving reasons for my change.

Too bad, in some ways, since I find the RDX very attractive! I can easily understand your enthusiasm for it. And I will test drive it (before I test drive the MDX) this summer, just to experience it first hand. I'll be sure to request directions to some rough roads, though.

The MDX Sport may be a great comprimise for the sporty suspension, but it is an expensive one. I'll ask to drive a Tech package MDX as well and compare those two MDX's.

One more question for you: would you hestitate to own an Acura if there was not an Acura dealership for service nearby? Literally, I am five hours away from the nearest dealership.

 

i have the 08 rdx- the ride felt stiff for the first 5k miles - after that, its a nice ride even over rough roads.

 

[QUOTE=mvwood]I sit in the back seat of my RDX all the time when my wife is driving and the baby seat makes the front a bit cramped. I am 6'1" and I have tons of room in the back. Before the baby seat was installed we would have 3 adults in the back no problem.

I am guessing that adults must be much smaller where you live than I. There is no way that three grown adults can comfortably sit in the back seat together in the RDX or any of its competitors.

 

[QUOTE=portwashguy]Maybe not 3 male adults, but when visiting friends I have fit 3 female adults with no problem (range in height 5'4' to 5'9")

 

A Honda dealer can service any Acura. Or, much of the routine service can be DIY.

Also there may be an independant shop nearby that knows Honda products. Other than routine service, you are not likely to have many dealer visits for problems. Our RDX is 16 months old with 25K and zero defects.

 

After almost a year in the RDX and I do find the ride quite firm. Where my old X3 felt "harsh"...in the RDX I feel more of the bumps and imperfections. It doesn't bug me in the driver's seat but I've had my girlfriend and other friends comment on how bumpy it feels in shotgun. Rear passengers don't seem to have a problem.

If I had a choice, I'd probably wish for a slightly smoother ride...but if it's going to sacrifice any of the RDX's handling, then forget it.

 

exactly!

 

too bad its not a rumor and a salesman will tell you, if pushed, that the earth is flat as well

 

XLR8R - I contacted Acura and they said a Honda dealership could do warranty work if it was pre-approved by Acura. Some parts might have to be shipped. When I called the Honda dealership here they said they do it all the time; basically they bill the customer and the customer takes it up with Acura for reimbursement.

Boon - I'm glad you are comparing it to a BMW... that's the comparison I'm looking for. Most of the time I LIKE a firm, sporty ride. But age is catching up with me and it is not as much fun for average tooling around as it once was. And with family aboard, not as popular.

I find I cannot let go of an affection for the RDX, even sight unseen. But, from all that I had have read about the MDX's ride (especially the Sport), it is sporty without being punishing. Perhaps for us "old guys."

I really appreciate all the replies!

One more question: can you roll the windows (any of them) down with the remote? My 325i has the ability to roll all four windows down AND open the sunroof from the remote. On a hot Texas day that has become a popular feature with me, and one I'd love to have on my next car.

 

A little late to this thread, but I just took my first road trip on my RDX and it makes my Saab Aero with the sports suspension look like a Cadillac...stiff ride, not pleasant for road trips...If you feel like your bimmer was a mistake, you will find the same on the RDX...if comfort is what you are looking for Lexus may be the answer...

An answer to your question about the windows, you can't do it in the '07, and in genereal, I don't think it's an "Acura feature" to have those kind o of options.

 

Kerchak - It really all comes down to preference. You can get a lot of good advice from this forum but remember that it's peoples' opinions and prejudices that you're dealing with here. The best thing you can do is take that test drive when you get down to Dallas.

I love the RDX. I also don't think the ride is that firm/rough at all. Yes it's more firm than the Murano (which I compared it to when test driving) but didn't really think it was more firm than the X3 (which I also test drove). When test driving the car I made sure to point out to my wife the differences in the car but she really couldn't tell a difference. I could tell a slight difference.

You would, without a doubt, be more happy with the MDX (in my opinion). If I could have gotten an MDX I would have but the RDX was at my price point. Good luck with your test drive of the two cars. Acura is a great quality car. As long as you have a Honda dealership near you I wouldn't worry about buying an Acura just because you don't have a specific Acura dealership near you.

 

my accords did it, the new accords (honda's) do it, mazdas do it, tons of brands do it, this isnt an upscale feature...just somehow missed in the RDX

 

It has a pretty harsh ride for a luxury oriented car but it isn't too harsh- you feel connected to the road and it won't put you to sleep... ehhemLexusehhem.

 

Press and then hold the unlock button on the keyless entry. Should do it. I know the Acura RL does it, i will double check for you about the MDX. (Unfortunately that may not be till Friday when i get the truck)

 

My '04 TSX could do the window keyfob trick, but oddly it is absent in my '08 RDX ... I can't even unroll them by putting the key in the unlock position [twice] like I could in the TSX. Very strange how Acura omits things here and there.

 

well.....its really not that luxury oriented, in fact quite the opposite. offers some nice amenities but its mission is sports oriented...if it wasnt, you would find a ride comparable with the RX not the X3....where the X3 seems to be a bit better is its ability to remain firm yet compliant for day to day, where little imperfections dont have such a profound impact as they may inthe RDX.

 

Enjoyable thread for me! Good members at this site.

I am impressed that many owners feel (or admit) that the ride is pretty rough. Others feel it is fine.

I have always enjoyed two seat sports cars in my younger days. When I bought my BMW I liked the ride of the "normal" suspension but opted for the Sports package in part for the different steering wheel, different wheels and sports seats. On smooth roads it is fantastic; the problem is there are not enough smooth roads in my life!

I drove the Lexus RX350 and thought it was a very comfortable ride but almost too smooth, and the steering almost put me to sleep. I guess I'm looking for something in between.

Here's a new question. I am familiar with the RX350 and was able to drive one for an afternoon, even home to confirm that my music cases would fit in the cargo area with seats folded down.

For those that are familiar, is the Acura RDX pretty close in size to the Lexus RX350? I know that the Lexus is longer and has more cargo space, but I was curious if legroom and headroom feel the same. Published dimensions seem to bear this out.

 

Ditto - I loved rolling down the windows in my TSX from the train as it pulled into the station. It was very handy with a black car on a 90+ degree day!

Fortunately I park in a garage at work now, since my RDX has a black interior. I can't understand why Acura would omit this simple, awesome feature. They should be smacked upside the head at least twice for it.