TheCarConnection 2009 Review

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

02-24-2009, 10:06 AM

TSX69

Safety Car

Thread Starter

Join Date: Dec 2004

Location: NC

Posts: 4,790

Likes: 909

Received 1,400 Likes on 704 Posts

TheCarConnection 2009 Review

2009 Acura RDX

TheCarConnection Meta Review:

* 8 Styling
* 8 Performance
* 8 Comfort and Quality
* 9 Safety
* 10 Features

Overall Rating
8.6 out of 10

STYLING | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:
considerably more upscale than the average small SUV
Edmunds

audio and climate settings are undersized readouts in a distant dashtop slit
Consumer Guide

there isn't much not to like about the 2009 Acura RDX
Kelley Blue Book

designers did an excellent job of staying true to Acura's styling DNA
MyRide.com

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com find much to compliment in the luxury crossover design of the 2009 Acura RDX.

The 2009 Acura RDX garners high praise from nearly all reviewers for continuing Acura's reputation for producing attractive cars. MyRide.com points out that the "designers did an excellent job of staying true to Acura's styling DNA." Kelley Blue Book enjoys the exterior hints of power under the hood, citing "18-inch wheels, a raked version of the familiar five-point grille, dual-outlet exhaust and a 'turbo' badge on the back" as welcome additions. Cars.com lists the "manageable dimensions" as a huge plus.

In terms of overall appearance, MyRide.com calls the 2009 Acura RDX "not exactly sexy" and definitely "more athletic than aggressive." Kelley Blue Book notes that the "unconventional tailgate that is integrated into the rear bumper" provides a "smoother look to the rear end."

In all, Edmunds finds the interior to be "considerably more upscale than the average small SUV." Shifting gears to the dashboard, Cars.com thinks the "gauges are well-lit in a calming blue and white, and are easy to read." Consumer Guide throws in its two cents by complaining the "audio and climate settings are undersized readouts in a distant dashtop slit."

Conclusion
The 2009 Acura RDX is athletic-looking, attractive, and unmistakably Acura.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

shifts through the gears are above-average
Cars.com

powerful turbocharged engine
Edmunds

Firm-ride suspension makes for an agile little SUV
Consumer Guide

fuel economy was 3 mpg worse than the ballsier BMW [X3]'s
Car and Driver

Reviewers across the Web enjoyed the Acura RDX’s turbo power and deft all-wheel-drive handling.

The 240-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Acura RDX is "slightly weaker than the less-expensive Mazda CX-7 and its turbocharged 244-hp engine," according to Car and Driver. Autoblog, however, likes the power of the Acura; 2009’s RDX is fine with a "5-speed automatic transmission [with] manual shifting capability [that] is the only one available," the reviewer says. This is probably because the "260 foot-pounds of torque at 4500 rpm rival the power produced by some six-cylinder engines," Forbes Autos points out.

Cars.com initially complains that "power doesn't come immediately when you're driving with the automatic transmission in standard drive." However, once the reviewer discovers the sport shift setting, he changes his tune, saying, "shifts through the gears are above-average."

Autoblog calls the Super Handling AWD feature the "best part of the RDX." This innovative technology means "you'll never worry about taking a turn faster than you planned," according to Cars.com.

Reviewers aren’t won over by fuel economy in the Acura; 2009’s "17 miles per gallon in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway" disappoints Forbes Autos, since it’s the same rating given to the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Car and Driver mentions that the 2009 Acura RDX's "fuel economy was 3 mpg worse than the ballsier BMW [X3]'s."

Conclusion
The 2009 Acura RDX performs just as athletically as it looks, although fuel economy is unimpressive.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

boasts a full arsenal of appeal
Kelley Blue Book

tires are noisy even on smooth asphalt
Consumer Guide

easy to use, and pretty to look at
MyRide.com

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com feels the 2009 Acura RDX's quality exceeds the price tag that comes with it—but the RDX sacrifices some comfort at the expense of snappy performance.

Behind the wheel of the 2009 Acura RDX, reviewers feel right at home. Auto Spectator contends the front seats provide "high outward visibility" and a "confident field of view." MyRide.com also likes the seating in the Acura; 2009’s Acura boasts "sturdy seats [that] hold occupants nicely," and the driver's seat, with "an eight-way power unit with lumbar and heating, is superb."

Cars.com notes that "compared to other SUVs ... the RDX's cargo area is right up there with the best." Consumer Guide also mentions that "large door pockets and clever door armrest bins offer plenty of small-item storage." Completing the effective storage design is "a huge center console that's big enough to swallow a laptop computer," according to Kelley Blue Book.

Reviewers aren't as impressed with the 2009 Acura RDX from the backseat. Kelley Blue Book stays optimistic by saying the backseat is "cozy without being cramped."

Forbes Autos considers the drive "a bit noisy on the front-passenger side." Consumer Guide also brings up noise, claiming the "tires are noisy even on smooth asphalt."

TheCarConnection.com also notes that the RDX rides very firmly. If you drive on relatively smooth roads, you’ll be fine, but pothole-ridden surfaces can prove uncomfortable.

Conclusion
The 2009 Acura RDX is quite impressive inside—provided you’re sitting in front.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Good," frontal and side impact
IIHS

Five stars, front and side impacts; four stars, rollover resistance
NHTSA

very crash-worthy
Edmunds

Nearly all signs indicate that the 2009 Acura RDX is one of the most reassuring vehicles of its size for occupant protection and accident avoidance.

Cars.com applauds the safety ratings in this Acura; 2009’s RDX earns “the top rating of Good in both frontal and side-impact crash tests" performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety—a feat that also garners the RDX IIHS’s Top Safety Pick honor.

Forbes Autos calls attention to the design features of the Acura 2009 RDX that improve safety: "The hood is specially designed with collapsible hinges" and "breakaway windshield wiper pivots ... lessen pedestrian injury during a crash."

Edmunds agrees that the Acura 2009 RDX is "very crash-worthy," with a host of standard safety features such as "front-seat side airbags, head-protecting side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, active front head restraints, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, stability control and traction control." Kelley Blue Book notes that "child door locks" and an "engine immobilizer" are also standard.

Consumer Guide mentions that there are "no factory options" related to safety, such as lane-departure warning systems or blind-spot detection systems—features becoming more common on high-end vehicles.

Conclusion
The Acura 2009 RDX is perhaps the safest vehicle in its class.

FEATURES | 10 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

standard equipment is generous
Edmunds

laden with every option we could imagine
Car and Driver

an array of electronic features that set it apart from the competition
Auto Spectator

The 2009 Acura RDX has enough features to please most technology snobs—along with an extensive list of standard equipment that goes beyond what’s offered by many competing models.

Edmunds starts the compliments by saying, "standard equipment is generous and includes 18-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a moonroof, full power accessories, heated front seats, a power driver seat with memory, Bluetooth connectivity, leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control." New for 2009 is a power passenger seat.

At Acura, 2009’s RDX has only one optional package available—the Technology Package—but according to the reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, it's a doozy. According to Kelley Blue Book, it includes "a navigation system with voice recognition and real-time traffic information, GPS-linked solar-sensing climate control and a 410-watt, ten-speaker audio system that features XM Satellite Radio and a six-disc CD/DVD-Audio player with MP3/WMA capability plus DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II processing."

There’s also good news for audiophiles in the 2009 Acura RDX. A high-end " 360-watt sound system featuring an in-dash six-disc CD/MP3/WMA player, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth hands-free integration, seven speakers and an auxiliary input for portable MP3 players" comes standard.

Conclusion
The 2009 Acura RDX comes with everything but the kitchen sink.

Reply Like

02-24-2009, 10:12 AM

TSX69

Safety Car

Thread Starter

Join Date: Dec 2004

Location: NC

Posts: 4,790

Likes: 909

Received 1,400 Likes on 704 Posts

Another

2009 Acura RDX Bottom Line
By Marty Padgett Marty Padgett, Executive Editor

To put together this comprehensive review on the 2009 Acura RDX, the car experts at TheCarConnection.com researched online reviews from respected Web resources. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the Acura RDX so that we can deliver you the best information on Acura's new crossover and how it compares to the competition.

Likes:

* Perfect size for urban environments
* Light, direct steering
* Great handling
* Strong brakes

Dislikes:

* Turbo lag is very evident
* Stiff, choppy ride
* No manual transmission!
* Fuel economy is unremarkable

Buying Tips:
If you live in an area with a lot of traffic issues, opt for the XM real-time traffic system on the 2009 Acura RDX; it will quickly pay off in terms of saved time.

The 2009 Acura RDX is a compact, sporty crossover vehicle. Part SUV and part tall wagon, the RDX makes no claims of off-road ability, instead offering the cargo versatility of a ute and performance more like that of a sport sedan.

The RDX is similar in some ways to the Honda CR-V, but it has a very different personality. The exterior style of the 2009 Acura RDX is more aggressive and angular than a typical SUV with the designers focusing on the “sport” rather than the “utility” of “SUV.” The interior is also very driver focused with a high-tech design, metallic trim, and leather seats.

The 2009 Acura RDX comes with a single powertrain combination: a turbocharged and intercooled 2.3-liter VTEC four-cylinder developing 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with F1-style Sequential SportShift Paddle Shifters.

The engine gives the crossover an energetic feel, but it comes across as a bit spastic. Acura’s Super Handling AWD is also standard and does a good job handling the frenetic power of the turbo engine. Turbo lag is evident, and when it does kick in, it comes on strong, making it difficult to modulate the power. One advantage of a turbocharged engine, at least in EPA estimates, is better fuel economy with ratings of 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway. TheCarConnection.com notes that those ratings are quite optimistic, however, and most drivers will see figures in the upper teens.

Engine response aside, the 2009 Acura RDX is a joy to drive compared to more family-oriented small utes. The RDX's strong brakes are anti-lock controlled and quick to bite. Add in steering control that's quick and light and this is one of the least SUV-like driving experiences in the class.

The 2009 RDX rides on standard 18-inch wheels attached to a typical Honda front MacPherson suspension and multilink rear. The package isn’t as tight as a BMW X3 but is far from the plush ride an American-style SUV delivers. If you are considering the RDX, make sure you spend time on a myriad of road surfaces, as ride quality is a bit hard for potholes. The front perches are comfortable, but the rear seats aren’t designed for adults.

The RDX enters its second year with no major changes. The 2009 Acura RDX comes standard with a CD changer and XM Satellite Radio hardware, Bluetooth, a power driver and passenger seat, and an iPod input. DVD-Audio and real-time traffic information through XM are options.

Traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, and side and curtain airbags are standard. The 2009 Acura RDX gets five-star ratings for front and side crash tests, as well as a four-star rating for rollover risk.

Other Choices:
If you like the 2009 Acura RDX, also consider:

* Audi Q5
* BMW X3
* Infiniti EX35
* Land Rover LR2
* Mercedes-Benz GLK
* Volkswagen Tiguan

Reason Why:
Shoppers are still moving toward smaller SUVs, but sporty, luxurious ones like the 2009 Acura RDX are especially rising in popularity. The BMW X3 was one of the first entries in the niche, but its substandard interior (at least initially) and rough ride keep TheCarConnection.com from recommending it. Infiniti’s EX35 is a blast to drive with none of the turbo lag, but its fuel economy is worse than that of the RDX. Land Rover's LR2 feels plusher than the RDX, with the LR2 owning a bit of off-road edge. VW’s Tiguan also has a turbo four, but somehow it’s a lot easier to live with. The Mercedes-Benz GLK is another new entry in this group—it sizes up with the rest but manages to feel a bit more mature and refined; for now, it's only offered with a big V-6. The Audi Q5 is another new entry set to come out late in the 2009 model year.

The Bottom Line:
The 2009 Acura RDX has an energetic personality thanks to its turbo power and crisp handling, but those same attributes make it a bit nervous.

Reply Like