Like everyone else here, I was really looking forward to the RDX. Traveled 1.5 hours and outrageous parking fees ($50!) just to get a good look. The reps there said the RDX was the final production model. And unfortunately, I was really disappointed. It really looked cheap. Plastic and vinyl everywhere. The trim below the window was so scratched up, I had to try to run a light fingernail along it and it marked it up. As a matter of fact, there were scratched marks all over the place.

Features were as discussed here: navi system, paddle shifters, etc. But, couldn't find the antenna for the GPS. They had a short stub antenna in the roof, but appeared to be a radio one - if so, why not hide it like every other luxo car.

The must not have wanted you to check under the hood as there was no bar to keep it up. Why no gas struts for a car at this price level.

There were some minor specs. I was hoping for some decent MPG with a 2.3L engine. And it states 19/24MPG. Heck the Lexus RX 350 was 19/24 (albeit at $15K more). No pricing was given.

I opened the glove compartment and it was just a piece of flimsy plastic and small.

IT could have been that we went through the Lexus and Infiniti cars first, but I was really ready to fall in love with this car and if this is truly production quality - then I am looking elsewhere. No where near the BMW X3 IMHO.

Think it was just me? I spent about 20 minutes near the car watching/hearing the comments. No one was really excited about it. Many kept picking at the flaws. One person echoed my thoughts: Cheap, Cheap, Cheap. At a low-mid $30's, I would be wasting my money.

My only hope was that this was not production quality.

Joe

 

I am headed to the NY Auto show next week, to see the RDX, traveling from Philly. Now I'm not so excited. And I'm really bumbed about no memory seat for the driver and from the sound of it, cheap materials in the RDX. Nav with rear view camera but no memory seat? Love my 2005 TL but X3 here I come!

 

It may be interesting to compare it to a fully loaded Nissan Murano:

$39k MSRP, available for under $36k
3.5 L V6, 245hp/246torque
AWD
3996 lbs
18" wheels
19/24 mpg (on regular fuel?)
CVT transmission includes manual shift mode

•SE Leather Package w/Sunroof .
• SE Leather Package .
• Premium Package .
• Brushed Aluminum Roof Rails .
• Power Adjustable Pedals .
• Radio: Digital Bose Audio System w/In-Dash 6-CD .
• 225 watts. Includes cassette, Radio Data System (RDS), MP3 capability, Satellite radio pre-wiring and speed-compensating volume with 7 speakers including 2 tweeters and 1 Nd woofer..
• Cargo Net .
• Retractable Cargo Cover .
• Leather-Appointed Seat Trim .
• 4-Way Power Front Passenger's Seat .
• Sunroof Package w/G/X02.
• Power Glass Sliding Sunroof w/Pre-Select Switch .
•Intelligent Key Memory System .
• Includes memory for driver's seat, adjustable pedals and outside mirrors (2 memory settings)..
•Heated Front Seats .• Includes 2 settings..
•Dual Heated Outside Mirrors .
•XM Satellite Radio (or Sirius, your choice).• Service is not available in Alaska and Hawaii..
•Includes driver's seat entry/exit system and pre-wiring for DVD entertainment system..

DVD Based Navigation System
•Includes GPS DVD-ROM atlas..



Things it's missing:
SH-AWD
Nice interior
Luxury badge
Bluetooth integration

I thought I saw that it had an available rear-view camera, but now I can't find it.

 

where the hell did you park, a block away? lol

 

Have any pro writers commented on the RDX yet? Seems if it's this bad there should be some comments coming out.

 

Yea, I parked a block and a half away. But, like a fool just followed cars to the nearest Park Here sign. I also had my family in tow and did not want to walk too far. Turns out there were cops at every and I mean every corner. So we felt safe.

I just looked at the Acura website, plenty more info there than before and more than what is at the show. Look there before going. Looks great on the website, so I am still hoping it was functionally a production model, and not the real thing.

I have owned Acuras for 19 years and impressed with them. So, for me, it was a major let down.

Also, note that the one brochure they had at the show and their website says the navigation system is part of a "technology package". I read that to mean an option.

I need to haul stuff for my boat, so if the RDX doesn't morph into a truly entry luxury vehicle, then it is either the Infiniti FX35, Lexus RX400H. But, much more for those. Acura has made my decision more difficult.

Joe

 

I also visited the Auto show (Friday night) and while not 'in love' with the car I certainly disagree with most of your sentiments.

This vehicle does not feel cheap inside. If you sit in a Lexus (which costs $15 grand more) then the RDX you will notice quality differences but the same is true if you sat in a RDX then sat in a Mazda CX-7. For the price range I found it to be suitable. Most materials reminded me of other Acuras, it certainly felt upscale from our 05 CRV SE.

I also found that stratchable material under the windshield but you have to realize the auto show is a torture chamber for car and that's unlikely to get stratched in normal use. I saw other cars with parts missing or broken and this was the 'preview' night for the public. You can only imagine what people who go next weekend will see. Visitors, myself included, really test the cars - flip seats, adjust everything, pull, prod, touch, etc. (side note the magic seats in the Fit work really well but sitting in them reminded me the car only costs $13K)

While I stood around and in the RDX, a father and son flipped the rear seats down to check cargo room (simple and quick operation but room is much less than our CRV), and a husband sat in the driver seat with an eye toward replacing his wifes CRV with something more powerful and luxurious. My feel was all would be visiting a Acura dealer this summer for a test drive.

 

I think alot of us raved about the RDX when it came out as prototype. Most of the stuff that I loved about the RDX is still there...

SH=AWD
Agressive styling
Real Time Traffic GPS
and
all the standard Acura goodies...

But seeing the "final" production specs, it's like seeing all the tiny flaws coming out and it's just so frustrating to see all these flaws among this ideal crossover...

It's like scoring a date with this smoking hot girl and during the date, you found out she has unbearable bad breath or an annoying eye twitch. She may be still be hot overall but the tiny details are what's bugging the crap out of you...

And regarding people's knock on the MPG issue, I did further comparison.... although it may be a 4-cyl, I realized it's unfair to compare the RDX to Rav-4, because quite frankly, I highly doubt it will drive like a RAV-4. If the RDX performs like a X-3, then we should compare to the X-3. If Murano, then compare to Murano. Overall, I will hold my judgement on the "disappointing" MPG figure until I can testdrive the RDX....

Then again, the RDX has manual passenger seat, which I "highly doubted" in the first place as well.

 

Funny, the Nissan Murano was the vehicle my girlfriend liked better than the RDX. It has a nice feel inside even roomier then the RDX. Compelling mix of luxury items available in a nice, not-too-big package.

Other strikes against it:
Odd shaped orange gauges.
rear site lines? possible huge blind spots from D pillars
Shape of rear hatch makes for odd cargo area
rear seats like a sedan versus stadium/raised seating of RDX and other SUVs (matter of preference)

 

I second that. Also the interior was not cheap, there is a lot of wear n tear from visitoors not to mention children on the car so half the stuff you said doesn't matter. In addition, the hood stayed open I was there day one of the show.

 

Thanks, I did test drive a 2005 Murano and was impressed with what you get for the money. Some of the materials were sub par, however, size, room, power, fuel economy, and looks were all great. It is still on the short list...

RDX, X3, Murano, Rav4...broad range I guess. I need something mid fall of this year so maybe I will get lucky and the 07's will be out.

 

Cool. What do you currently drive? I test drove a new '03 CRV a few years ago. It made me realize that I wasn't ready for an SUV, with high center-of-gravity. I'm thinking both the Murano and especially the RDX are tuned for sportier driving, but I haven't driven one.

 

My lease on a VW Passat is up in October. I've driven the X3, Murano, Rav4 and Taureg. I also have a 05 TL in the household which I love driving. The CVT in the Murano would take some getting used to - kinda weird. Acura had me until I saw no memory seat for the driver and no passenger power seat. Fussy I know but at that price point I gotta have it all. I really like driving an SUV, I need the versatility b/c funny enough the TL back seat doesn't fold down and my Passat does! Not sure what I'll end up with though. I didn't like the X3 until I drove it....I believe it will get a minor refresh for 07, the R6 engine from the 3 series and upgraded interior materials. And memory seat for the driver!!!

 

Readiing people's comments about the car I can't believe I skipped over it by accident while at the show. Acura's booth is always so uninteresting.

 

At that price point, you can't have it all.

 

Aparently, even at the RDX price point you can have it all either....

 

I suspect with the tech package the RDX will be around 35-6,000. My TL has memory seat and power passenger, only paid a bit over 31,000 for a new 2005. I think if Acura really wanted to benchmark the RDX againt the X3, it would have all the modern conveniences consumers expect at the get go. I would have thrown in the rear view camera next model year...and maybe a/c vents for the rear seat passengers. This keeps it cutting edge....not adding a memory seat after a huge introduction. Just my inner conflict acting up though....

 

But the RDX has a lot more over the TL. SH-AWD for one. Tilt down mirrors, rear back up camera, tire pressure monitor, bigger wheels... If the TL had all that it wouldn't cost a tad over 31000. The RDX almost has all the features of the RL.

And how much is the X3? Isn't it like $40k?

 

The problem with Acura is that they try too hard to differentiate each of their models. For a $34K RDX, a 4banger engine with 19/24 MPG is a disgrace, not to mention no powered passenger seat! What they should have done is giving MDX a bigger V6 like the RL's with 300+ HP and let the RDX have TL's engine and call it a day. Screw the turbo 2.3L, it doesn't do any good and has no place in a $34K SUV. However, turbo would be nice in the RSX though.

 

It's a very sporty SUV, so a turbo suits it well. Plus it'll be even extra hot in the new TSX.

 

I was just at the autoshow, and sat in the new RDX. I like it a lot. It "feels" fairly snug in the driver's seat, but not too bad. Storage seems nice. The need to move the rear seat cushion and backrest for a flat cargo space seems cumbersome. Not nearly as clean as how the Rav and CX-7 work. Also, I did not see a remote latch to drop the seat back from the cargo area, features which the RAV and Cx-7 both have.
The biggest issue for me remains the milage. 19/24 is what the current highlander v6/ awd gets. I dont think that will get worse with the new highlander.
Which means I will still wait to see the new CRV and Highlander before making any decsion.

 

You have to give up good MPG if you want performance...

 

If these initial spy pics are any indications, the new CRV looks to be a decontented RDX. Real hatch this time, no more spare tire on the back of a swing out tailgate. Same car, less luxury, smaller wheels, no SH-AWD, probably the same 4-cylinder as well.

 

Um, the chrome around the windows should be on the RDX not the CRV...

 

OMG, if the CRX will look this similar to the RDX, there is no way that I am going to spend around $38K on the RDX.... and I am sure that many people will feel the same way too.

 

I rag on the RDX too much as it is so I'm sure very few will appreciate the rest of this paragraph, but yeah that was another area I didn't like. The trim isn't even the shiny plastic like on the TL, it's just the plain black plastic. I personally would've preferred an aluminum trim, like in the Porsche Cayenne, over chrome. But alas, we get neither.

 

My point exactly, if Acura wants me to pay more for an RDX than my TL, then I better get all the features and benefits of the TL plus whatever they want me to pay more for, i.e. rearview cam, tire pressure monitors, SH-AWD etc. My TL mirror tilts down on the passenger side. I'll be at the auto show in NY this w/e so I will let you know what I think. I'm sure the RDX will have many great qualities.

 

CRX, you say...

 

That article indicates a slightly more powerful 4cyl, but not a turbo. At least for Australia.

 

Everyone rags too much! sheesh, the car isn't even out yet and nobody's even driven one!

I wouldn't miss the shiny TL plastic tape, it tends to wrinkle or fade anyway. Then the tech has to remove all the moldngs, heat gun the tape off, and reapply. Very humbug. The matte finish plastic from ithe TSX is better IMO.

 

Well, the CRV certainly looks to be a contender, if a little low in horse power. The talk was HP would go to near 200. Is there anymore to that article? And when will get a spy shot of the next Highlander?

 

WTF is 125kW? Sounds like Back to the Future speak.

 

125kw converts to 167 horsepower.

 

That's tape?! I thought it was just a different grade of plastic.

 

Well I doubt it's tape. Tape wouldn't hold up very well.

 

Sorry guys, the black trim around the window frames is plastic tape. The TSX is a matte finish plastic.

 

You know, reading people's comparisons of the RDX to other SUVs, it becomes obvious that we're all looking at the same vehicle but I don't think we're shopping for the same thing. In my case, I've been happily driving sports sedans for years, but due to a back iinjury, I have trouble sittimg in a low car for a long time. So what I want is the SUV that drives most like a sports sedan. I've driven the Murano, and a sports sedan it's not. Even though the RAV4 is shorter on luxuries, its handling is more to my liking. I sat in both the RDX and the Mazda CX-7 at the NY show and the RDX felt better, but I'll have to wait for road tests to decide. The RAV4, the CX-7, and the RDX all have enough luxury for me but the driving experience matters to me more.

 

I was at the NY show too.

Anyone else noticed that the lid covering the trunk hangs by two freaking strings??? (Reminds me of the same thing seen in the Celica but this is a luxury SUV!)

 

I thought it rests on rails, the strings were to lift it with the tailgate? I could be wrong....

 

It rests on rails. The strings just lift it up with the tailgate when i'ts opened.