I've heard a lot of people say that the RDX has a sport tuned suspension which makes the ride very stiff and uncomfortable, to the point where you can feel every bump on the road. Is this true, is the ride this uncomfortable, especially for rear seat passengers?

 

The ride is definitely sport tuned and one of the main reasons I even considered purchasing a CUV. The RDX handles almost as well as my last 3 Series BMW.

Only you can decide if the ride is too stiff for your taste. As others here have mentioned, you can toy with the air pressures (to a certain extent) to soften the ride.

 

no question, it's stiff...even with lower (correct) tire pressure (some folks were complaining it was very stiff only to find out that the tire pressure what at 37+ psi...).

If you are looking for a pure luxury ride then the RDX is NOT the car for you. However, if you are looking for an SUV that handles as well as many similarly priced sports cars, then it's a dead ringer.

My wife drives the RDX most of the time and she has yet to complain about it. But, we live in Texas and the roads she drives aren't that bad. If you're up north or anywhere where the roads you'll be on are rough...might be worth a long test drive just to make sure.

 

Yes, the ride is very stiff, and for that reason, its best if you were to go test drive one and see if its too stiff for you.

 

Nobody has ever complained about the ride being too stiff in my RDX. I have over 15000 miles now and it doesn't seem stiff to me at all.

 

Yea I do live in the northeast and we travel to NY and NJ occasionally so the roads are VERY rough especially on the highways, but when I test drive it i'm sure it'll be fine. Every other car I look at that is within this price range is either way too overpriced when you add a couple of options (leather, better stereo...) so the RDX seems like a great value and the true cost to own seems to be less than even the CX-7 over a five year period.

 

I actually live in NJ and commute to NYC almost everyday. The roads definitely suck around here and the car does have a stiff suspension. If your looking for something more comforting then this car is NOT for you.

Honestly, the ride doesn't bother me one bit, you have so much more of the car to enjoy. Now whether or not the ride is stiff depends on each person. I don't think it will be much of a problem for you just takes some getting used to first couple days then it will become second-nature. And the ride does get a bit better once those miles start rackin up

 

More or less, each person has a very opinionated effect. Only your self-experience w/ the car - ala test drive - can make you understand.

 

Yes, Acura was targeting the sporty market with the RDX. If you want something softer, try the Lexus RX instead.

 

It definitely is a stiffer ride than other CUV/SUVs but I like it; I can understand why some wouldn't though

 

I don't consider the ride "stiff". It's firm, but a good firm. On corners, like freeway transition roads it feels great. Like having 3M Post-It pads on your tires!

 

We just picked up our RDX yesterday (after having an MDX for 3 years). We did notice the bumpy ride. (didn't notice it on our test drive).
Does anyone have an opinion if the high performance tires contribute to the bumps? Wonder if we just put regular all season on the RDX if that would help?
Any opinions? thanks.

 

They are regular all-season tires, unless you got a dealer package.

 

As has been pointed out, the first thing you should do is check the tire pressure. Too much pressure can have a huge impact on the ride and dealers are notorious for not checking it cold as they should.

 

I don't think it's a ride that's uncomfotable or to the point where you can't stand sitting in the car for more than a few minutes, it's acura after all and they wouldn't make a ride of that quality. The lexus RX is great but i like the styling of the RDX better and the RX gets in the mid 40s when getting the AWD and leather seating which is ridiculous...i'd rather get the MDX for that price

 

Though I sold my RDX mostly because the driver's seat was uncomfortable for me, I have to admit that I do NOT miss the "sporty" ride of the RDX.

I don't want to RDX bash but, for those who are considering the RDX, I would say the highway ride on anything but super-smooth roads is similar to being in an offshore speedboat going over mildly choppy water at 70mph. Honest. On some stretches of highway, my wife and I were unable to have a conversation because it was like we were "drumming on our chests" (like a kid would do for fun) while we tried to talk! Yes, that bad! And yes, I had lowered the tire pressure to 32psi all around. I was dumb and didn't fully test-drive the car before buying it...

I'm no car newbie. I'm 45. I've owned numerous Porsches, BMW's, Audi's, Volvo's, Honda's and Toyota's, as well as an '01 MDX, and the RDX ride is hands-down the stiffest I've ever experienced. My 2005 Toyota Tacoma truck rides like a Limosine in comparison.

YES, the RDX handles like it's on rails, which is SUPER fun on backroads and around town but, for extended highway driving, I don't think I could have lived with it regardless of my other "fit" issues.

I have to say that my '07 MDX "Sport" (which is what I replaced the RDX with after only 1 week of ownership) handles 90 percent as well on backroads and around town, but without the jittery highway ride. I really WANTED to like the RDX, I really did! But I'm glad I traded it in for the MDX.

 

I think it rides fine. I've driven from Kansas to Tennessee and back on a 4-day weekend and didn't feel beat up from the ride being stiff. I can't say anything about the back seat comfort, nobody's ever rode back there besides the dog and he's not saying much. I do think it rides better than my old 3-series coupe, but that could be a product of the sport suspension and tires that were on it.

 

I drive primarily in Boston, notorious for bad roads but I just try avoiding the potholes & dips in the road as much as possible.
On a drive to Rhode Island, I did feel a little uncomfortable when I arrived, but I readjusted my seat positioning and have not felt that way since.

 

Bring a tire gauge. You may as well know what tire pressures you are dealing with so you can make an informed decision. They should be about 32 cold all around.

Try the back seat as well; it can get a little bouncy for mother-in-laws.

 

I have two kids that i'll be driving around so i hope the backseat is comfortable

 

It's funny.....sort of!....that when we bought our RDX, there was a "used" RDX on the lot with 600 miles. They said the guy had a bad back and had to trade it in. My alarm bells should have gone off.
I want to love this car, but I'm getting that sinking feeling. Coming from an MDX (which we always commented on the smooth ride), this is going to be tough I'm afraid.
I'm thinking should I consider doing what you did....(trading in to get MDX). A painful loss and lesson.
I just wish there was a way to get an "adjustment" to smooth the ride just a bit...tires...shock absorbers....? If anyone has any creative ideas....we would sure appreciate it.
Thanks.

 

This topic strikes me a bit funny as the ride on my current car (2000 Lexus GS300) is so soft and squishy that it makes my kids sick and I am specifically looking for a car that ISN'T that soft. However, I will admit that during my 1 day test drive (a local dealer let me have an RDX for a day to test out) the ride was a bit bumpy, but anything would be compared to my current car so I'm not a good judge. Even so, I didn't find the ride to be unbearable, it was a nice contrast to the marsh mellow I currently drive.

 

Did you buy it in Poughkeepsie, NY? If so, then that "used" car was probably my RDX! (Mine had a little over 700 miles, though...)

The dealer told me that I wasn't the only one trading in a new Acura. Someone had bought an MDX, didn't like the feel of driving an "SUV", and ended up trading it in after 300 miles for an RL! Now I don't feel so bad!

I don't think there is much you can do about the stiff ride... maybe a custom suspension shop? 16 or 17" wheels with higher profile tires might help a little. I hear the '08's may have a softer ride.

 

We bought it in Wappingers Falls. Must be the same one. Amazing. My wife says the bumpy ride doesn't bother her, but after trying to put some CD's in yesterday and she couldn't get them in the slot because the bumps.....I think she's changing her mind! Not sure what to do...
Hope you're enjoying the MDX.

 

Gmafb...

 

Loading the CD player while driving is more dangerous than drunk driving.

 

Just to clarify....I was driving...she was in passenger seat.

 

Wappingers/Poughkeepsie... same thing in my mind. Yes, it must've been my RDX.

I am SO in love with the MDX! Every time I drive it I like it better... can't get the grin off my face! (As opposed to the constant grimace when I had the RDX...)

As I posted earlier, I think smaller wheels with higher profile tires would help... if the '08s have a softer suspension, maybe it's something they can retrofit?