hi guys, just got my rdx and love the "sporty" abilities of the truck... when i was in asia >10yrs back, i was driving the 93 corolla 1.6L 16valve, 96 lancer (not evo)...

the rdx is my first NA vehicle and totally love the way it runs/handles/growls in the highway (i dont mind the noise)/and believe it or not, the super complicated buttons on the steering wheel (i like to use tech gadgets). i didnt like the feel of the Q5 nor the GLK but i agree they are both more "luxurious" than the RDX -- made me feel like a well refined individual (to which i'm not haha - prefer shorts and sporty attire to slacks/long sleeved shirt, for example)... i did test drive the Audi A3 and love the nimbleness and turbo responsiveness of the car - however reliability will continue to be a ?... to all acura enthusiasts out there, what car drives like your rdx? i havent test driven the tsx nor the tl... will not need my own car till i move to the burbs next year but might as well have a head start... (fyi, the rdx will be wife-y's vehicle)

 

I'm not quite sure what message/question you're trying to get across here. In any case, no other car/cuv drives like the RDX other than another RDX. And even that said, a 2007 RDX will drive ever so lightly different than an '08, '09, '10.

 

thanks carbon2008rdx... for starters, i love the rdx's:
a) handling -- in my test drive, the truck feels like it is on rails
b) i love the turbo feel -- it has a spunky zip to acceleration/speed...
c) love the very busy dashboard and steering wheel
d) love the paddle shifts
e) seems like it has good reliability

my first thoughts are: for a car to be compared with an RDX, it could be a TL or an infiniti G37... or maybe a TSX? however the TSX doesnt have AWD so i might have trouble in winter (running on the ramps) as it's snowy here in toronto...

 

i think the RDX is the best driving vehicle in acuras line up. My family owns all but the new RL. I prefer to drive the RDX over the new tl, tsx, and mdx any day of the week. IMO, the steering absolutely blows in the new acuras..the electronic assist sucks and the wheel is always wobbly dead center, it never has the right feel at any speed - the steering never feels connected to the road; not sure if this changed for the 2010 RDX - ive always considered the steering in the RDX to be the best of the bunch. The RDX feels so planted and secure in its moves, i dont get that feeling in the other models. my pecking order for the brand:
1. RDX
2. Tie between TSX/MDX
3. TL

 

Have to agree.
RDX May be the best drive I've ever had. My most recent are '03 TL-S, 06 TSX and '03 CL-S. No comparison. Even my wife's last 3 rides, all AWD, S60, G35x and IS250 aren't even close. G probably best of those, raw power wise. However not nearly as nimble as RDX.

 

interesting replies... i thought the rdx will just be on average vs acura car models but it turns out its the best... thanks guys!

ps. what do you mean by "wobbly dead center" and "steering having connection to the road"?

i like the "responsiveness" of the steering and handling of my 2010 rdx so far...

 

my previous 1st gen TSX drives very much like my current RDX (of course without the wonderful SH-AWD), but in terms of steering responsiveness, cornering, and comfort etc, they're both very similar. that was one of the main reasons i bought the RDX, it reminds me so much of driving my TSX which i really love.

i certainly wouldn't mind buying another 1st gen TSX if i had 20+k to spare :o)

 

Acuras new models have electronic rack n pinion which imo absolutely blows. drive a new tsx or tl; steering never feels dead on, its very artificial and never seems accurate. The wheel imo tends to float at dead center, and turning wasnt fluid, i would end up having the car dart into a turn or corner by accident

the RDX maintains its traditional setup and not the new stuff from the other Acura models which is a great thing. i just think it drives alot more truer vs the other models, doing exactly what you want it to do & very predictable

 

thanks mike... this is what i found for the 2010 rdx -- dunno if this is what youre referring to?

"Torque-sensing, variable power-assist rack-and-pinion steering"...

so i guess all 2010 models have changed "steering feel"? if so, i still like it... so the earlier models are even better! wow...

 

yes, thats different from electronic setups in the sedans.

 

thanks mike... just went through my first snowfall with my rdx here... i was passing every other car with ease ... wife-y told me to be careful (which i did) - just couldnt resist... i did see my sh-awd getting a bit more "bars" this time around, it was always one bar more or less before tonight's snowfall... im going to try to get away with brand new oems for this winter and the next...

 

I drove a 2010 tsx 4-cyl as a loaner, and I was very impressed by its handling. It just didn't have any power compared to my RDX which felt a little softer, higher, and torquier, more 'American', but still had great handling.

 

I have had a thing for the A3, but I have never driven one...

I am sure if I had an A3 for the last three years, I would be lusting for the RDX though...

Lexus IS-F would be fun - so would an IS350
BMW 1 series coupe
The MazdaSpeed 3 is interesting, but to high school. Put some leather seats and trim in that thing!
GTI - a little more mature than the Mazda, but would rather have that Mazda engine in it!

Not much else is giving me wood lately.... I love my RDX still and it still impresses me.

 

i had a new TSX for a while - its basically has a lawnmower for a 4cyl., car sucked balls. no power unless you are 5k on the rpmz. I thought it drove like a roller skate - nimble but had me uneasy, very darty

 

dang! i just researched a bit more on the TL and TSX... mike you hit it on the mark, consumer reports state that steering feel is dead... the 2010 models, that is... makes one less confident about his drive... why did they change such a nice config before? eg. electronic stuff etc etc... thankfully rdx 2010 is still ok... but i think it's going south in terms of acura driving feel for future cars... hmmm...

 

side note, my gf had an 07 TSX - she chomped at the bit to drive the RDX over it, anywhere she could - i dont blame her (altho i still LOVE the last gen TSX, actually, i love basically everything last gen Acura)

 

reviving this thread... attended the toronto auto show last weekend and found a new bunch of interesting vehicles:

a) honda cr-z (but i guess cant buy this yet)
b) civic si (smaller car, 200hp, will it ride/handle like the rdx? - but no awd though)
c) golf gti (turbo pocket rocket it seems and reliability isnt that bad i read)

anyone driven b and c before?