If Acura proceeds with CDX - do you think it will hurt the sales of RDX?

I personally believe that this will complete Acura's crossover lineup.
Honda trademarks CDX nameplate | Digital Trends

 

If they clearly have a different target audience, then I doubt it. I'm pretty excited about the possibilities here.

 

yes and no. Just like the RDX vs. MDX discussions there may be a few that are on the border between the RDX and CDX but in general they are different vehicles with much different sizes and likely different engines.

Where the CDX may work is for the young person who wants a luxury name in a small vehicle or for someone's 2nd vehicle in addition to a TLX, MDX, or RDX.

 

A certain amount of cannibalization is to be expected. If people are finding the RDX a bit too large or too expensive, it's better to lose sales to the CDX than to the competition. Besides, every CDX shopper becomes an opportunity for dealers to up-sell to a more profitable model.

 

That didn't stop BMW, Audi, Infiniti and Lexus from having at least 3 cross-overs in their lineup. It's just a matter of time before Acura follows suit.

 

I like the concept of the CDX to provide an entry model for grabbing the new buyers. There isn't something sitting opposite of the ILX to balance the line-up like the TLX/RDX or MDX/RLX. I can see growing families needed something with awd and more room; but, having a budget that limits their choices. The ILX would be pretty small for a family of 3-4 to justify on a budget; but, CDX could work and provide the same level of sport/luxury/price/tech/power as the ILX. I've had the TSX and RDX for a while and they were perfect complements to each other.

I would go for the CDX over the ILX if it was available (concepts I found a while back). The CDX would have to come with the 2.4L+8AT or 9AT instead of the 1.8L+CVT like the Honda version:

 

Also, it would compete with the BMW X1, Mercedes GLA, and Audi Q3.

Specs:
X1 - 176.5 in long, 60.8 in high, 70.8 in wide, base engine is 240 hp and 260 torque
GLA - 173.9 in long, 60 in high, 71 in wide, base engine is 208 hp and 258 torque
Q3 - 172.6 in long, 62.5 in high, 72.2 in wide, base engine is 200 hp and 207 torque

Honda:
HRV - 169.1 in long, 63.2 in high, 69.6 in wide, base engine is 139 hp and 127 torque

My guess is you base it off the HRV:
170-173 in long, 62-64 in high, 69.6 in wide is fine, coupled with the 2016 ILX engine of 201 hp and 180 torque. They may choose to offer a higher trim with the 6 cylinder engine but knowing Acura it is not likely.

In my opionion the X1 and GLA are more like high hatchbacks or station wagons then SUVs / CUVs because they are only 60 inches tall when most full sized CUVs/ SUVs are at least 64 inches tall. Many cars are 56 to 58 inches tall.

 

I'll be ready for one when the lease on my TLX is up. Higher seats for my aging hips, plus there's no room for another RDX in our garage - one's enough. It'll be our around-town car, while the RDX is the long-distance traveler.

Yes, the GLA is more hatchback than CUV. We went on the factory tour in Germany last summer so we spend lots of time studying it, plus an extended sit-in, and it says hatchback to me.

I doubt the RDX will lose much if any sales to the CDX.

 

I'm liking the tall hatchback idea more and more. Driver seat height will be the key factor...if it's high enough to offer some advantage over sedan-height seating, then it will get a good look from us. I've always liked wagons/hatchbacks and a tall one makes perfect sense to me...don't need a ton of ground clearance, but more than our C70! Again, driver seat height will be a main factor. As such, we will take a good look at the CDX and could be one customer who leaves the RDX in favor of the new smaller offering. Keeps us in the family, so to speak.

 

I highly doubt many sales would be lost. The MDX is doing as good as ever even as the RDX is taking off. Clearly new customers have been created. Also, the HR-V is so much smaller than the RDX, it would be such a step down in size that I doubt many would cross shop. Wouldn't the RDX and MDX be a lot closer in size than the RDX and HR-V right now? Seems that way to me.

 

Good points guys!

I think it will complete the Acura's Crossover lineup.
1. MDX
2. RDX
3. CDX

1. RLX
2. TLX
3. ILX

1. NSX

Acura need at least a two door coupe model for young buyers.

Good luck Acura!

 

Wasn't the ZDX supposed to be just that...?

 

With a 50k price tag I highly doubt it. Acura's original target market for the ZDX were those older empty nesters who don't necessarily need the size or third row seating of the MDX. Sadly, that is not the market the ZDX attracted.

What Acura needs is a coupe (think a luxury version of the Accord Coupe), that caters to those single mid to late 20 and early 30 something year olds with good careers who don't mind spending a little extra. I always thought the 08 Accord Coupe's body style should've been badged as an Acura. That was one sexy car.

 

yes they need a coupe that may also have a limited run each year as a convertible.

Lexus has the RC now. Audi the A5, and BMW the 4 series. They are all around 182-184 inches long (length of the ILX). The Accord Coupe is a good 6 inches longer. They should probably base it on the Civic / ILX underpinnings for length while putting in the 2 engine options offered in the TLX. The 4 cylinder will be the base vehicle while the 6 can be the SH AWD premium version. This vehicle can be like the RSX was back in the day.

 

It will compete with the Honda HR-V and CR-V; Toyota Rav-4 and Highlander; Ford Escape and Edge; Nissan Murano and Pathfinder; and Mazda CX-5 and CX-9.

This is based on this:

http://www.autonews.com/article/2015...mpete-globally

 

Too small for me! The RDX is about as small as I'm going to go so the CDX is nothing to me.

 

That would be a mistake by Acura to try and compete with the mainstream vehicles and not the luxury competition.

It is like Chrysler claiming the new 200 competes with the Fusion, Accord, and Camry. That was Chrysler saying that they are not a luxury brand any longer.

 

was Chrysler ever a luxury brand? lol

 

Only at Enterprise rent-a-car 😂

 

Car and Driver: Acura May Get a Version of the Honda HR-V | Car and Driver Blog

The article doesn't say much more than what was already stated. The more I think about it, the more I like the thought of this mini CUV as a around town commuter/grocery getter. I might have to check out the Honda HR-V this spring to get a taste of what the Acura version might feel like. I hope it has more leg/head room compared to the previous gen ILX (don't know if that improved with the +16 ILX). At 6'3", my head was hitting the ceiling of the last year model ILX.

 

the Mazda CX-3 looks more appealing than Honda's HRV.
in either case, a $20k little CUV is very appealing.

i want the CX-3, so bad.

 

I test drove the CX-5 when I was helping my in-laws when they were looking for a CUV (they picked the bland styling of the Toyota Rav4). If the CX-3 is anything like the CX-5, it would also be high on my list as a fun driver's vehicle for in town cruising. I would just have to have HIDs/LEDs, memory seats, decent power of +200hp, and smartphone/bluetooth/USB audio options (I can go either way with Acura Watch stuff). Those options start to move the CX-5 vehicle types well into the +16 ILX price range. Acura CDX would kinda be like buying the cheapest house in the most expensive neighborhood compared to the most expensive house in the cheapest neighborhood with the Mazda.

 

It's not that Acura is trying to compete with the mainstream brands and vehicles. Acura's problem is their brand and image. They're not viewed by a majority of the population as a "luxury" brand like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, and Lexus are.

Acura also likes to play the value card to drive sales which means people will cross shop them with other vehicles in a similar price range, as the KBB data shows, and those vehicles end up being the mainstream ones.

 

part of buying an Acura, Lexus, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, or Inifiniti is the badge. There is nothing wrong with a Honda, Mazda, Hyundai, Toyota, VW, or Nissan as they are nice vehicles but some want the nicer badge. The badge usually comes with a slightly better engine, better styling, and better service (incl loaners).

Typically the luxury makers put in an engine with about 200hp or more. Mazda is currently below that. The other main stream brands with a luxury division are also below that for some vehicles. Mini may be the exception with BMW since they are kind of a trendy compact vehicle that is more luxury than their competitors.

The main players in this market are the Nissan Juke and Kia Soul. Both are below 200 HP until you get to the Juke Nismo RS which is 211 HP and costs 29k before options.

The upcoming Infiniti QX30 will have a very strong engine and will probably be the best power train for this segment. The QX30 is based on the Juke underpinnings. Lexus is the only big player besides Acura not to be in this market yet.

 

the cx-3 doesnt need 200hp or more.

its like any of their other offerings; light weight, nimble, and FUN.

 

I'm surprised!

 

CUV's are where its at.
the bee's knees.
the cat's meow.

in Houston, it floods soo much that it sucks having a lowered vehicle.

 

I thought QX 30 was based on MB GLA?

 

I was referring more like a car coupe and not SUV.

Based on Accord coupe or something. Just to offer to young crowd.

 

Good stuff on this thread!

Little SUVs are great. Best of all worlds I guess. Little premium SUVs? Even better.

Don't want to go into this really, but the article annoyed me. All I can say is, Acura builds a very nice car, we all know it, that's what matters. But the CDX will probably compete with the Encore (y-u-c-k!) and Q3 and the new small Infiniti mostly, I'm unsure how a $28-30k starting car can really compete with a CX-3 or HR-V starting a LOT lower.

But I must say, the interiors on both the CX-3 and HR-V are fantastic for the money, so Acura better step it up with the CDX!

I wouldn't say you need 200+ necessarily. The baby Audi has 170 (or 150 if you count diesels), 2 months ago the baby Acura was also at 150, and BMW goes down to 180 with a relatively heavy car in the 320i. Yeah, you're right, usually there's at least an option for 200+ hp, but to be considered luxury, you don't really need that.
I'd bet that the CDX has the 8DCT and 2.4 Earth Dreams, only option (Although, if the new Turbos are out by the time we see a CDX, it would use that new motor I'm sure). A J35 is WAY too heavy and the thing would be almost too fast! Although, a J35 and SH-AWD would be an awesome competitor to the X1 xDrive35i. We all know that's not going to happen though......

 

That's correct -- the QX30 is essentially a re-bodied GLA. Infiniti offers a rebadged Juke in China under the model name ESQ. Shameful really.

 

prolly won't eat too much into their sales

 

It's also a where-we're-at thing. We proudly tool around the roads of Texas (and the US/Canada in summer) in our RDX and TLX, eying the German Big 3 and say to ourselves, Naaah, we're happy at this level, thank you very much. We're not "stuffy" enough - we could afford the payments but just can't get excited about them. Personal comfort factor, not look-at-me!!!

 

"Stuffy"? "Look-at-me"? Stereotype much? Do some people buy German vehicles for the badges? Absolutely. But that also applies to Lexus, Infiniti, and yes, even Acura. Believe it or not, some people simply prefer German brands for their features and performance. Many of us paid a premium for Acura compared to mainstream brands for the exact same reason. As I write this, it's likely a CR-V Touring owner somewhere is stigmatizing 'stuffy' RDX owners, claiming their Honda is plenty comfortable and luxurious enough.

 

Isn't it awesome that we have choices in all ranges and segments at this level. Whatever floats your boat......

 

Yep, I know of quite a number of folks who fit that "stereotype". Up to their eyeballs in debt, credit cards and HELOC maxed out, but boy do they look good. We prefer the Millionaire Next Door approach, plus one class. (Honda --> Acura) Pay as you go, and when it's all paid, treat yourself to a bump in automobiles. (CR-V to RDX, Accord to TLX, or, hopefully in a couple of years, a CDX over an HR-V) But that's it. It's an individual choice. We could get one of the German Big 3 (or high-end Japanese) but we wouldn't want to be part of that "class". Oh, and good on that CR-V driver you mentioned, good for him/her - satisfaction.

 

the other part is I want my CR-V to have a nice fat power producing V6 that gives you very good fuel economy... so RDX it is

 

For the eight grand difference, I'll actually look at the CRV.

 

^ I would actually step down to a legacy sedan with said H6 and all the tech for $1K more than the touring version of the CR-V that still comes with a weak I4.....

CR-V AWD Touring Starting at $32,895*
Legacy 3.6R with Nav.+ Eyesight, HID $33,380*
Outback with same options $36,835*

* plus all of the typical BS that goes with it like tax, title, plates, delivery, etc.

 

I see a lot of Lexus NX on the road, I can't wait for CDX to compete with NX and the infinite QX30.

Acura is very strong in this area, MDX and RDX are pretty successful. Lets hope they play the same cards with CDX.