Automatic starter........Shuts off automatically when you open the car door.

Blue tooth / hands free...........Does not stay on when when you turn the engine off......So to continue a phone call, you have to turn off engine , then turn car power back on , then place phone call again.

Far too many layers on the infotainment system / GPS.......

No vent in for the back seat passengers......


Those are a few things I noticed right away, other than that I do like the car, but these are some small issues that a Japanese car company in 2015 should have mastered by now......

Just my 0.02

 

^^ About the bluetooth, just put the car in neutral before turning it off and you will not have your call dropped or music stop playing.

 

Mine does not shut off when I open the door? Or are you saying that if you're trying to start the car that the door has to be closed?

 

I believe the OP is talking about the remote start option. If using that feature to start the engine, apparently the car shuts off when you open the door and you have to start it again...some safety feature...can't understand why?
@ weather, you are right but that's a little too many steps while you are talking on the phone . I would simply not turn off the engine. But the competing cars don't have this "problem".
BTW did you end up purchasing a Lexus... if yes I'll bet that it doesn't have this issue?

 

^^ Haven't bought it yet but the deal is expected to take place on March 18th or so. It pains me to leave the Acura brand however, given the distance from the dealership and the problems with the transmission, I just could risk getting a TLX at this time.

I'll be back though And we still have our ILX.....

 

I'll never understand the remote start that shuts off when you open the door. It makes no sense. I have no idea what they're trying to prevent from happening. My parents have GM cars, and I'm 99% sure they don't deal with that issue and somehow they've had no safety or security problems.

I had planned on getting the remote start on the RDX. I was excited to have it installed. Then, I read about having to use 2 fobs and dealing with the shut-off issue, and I decided not to bother.

 

Prevent theft?

 

^^ There should be a way that the vehicle would recognize the keyfob approaching the vehicle and confirming that the person opening the door is the owner....If they can event funky lane keeping assist stuff, surely this could be one

 

2016 does not do this, and was one of the main reasons we traded our 14 rdx for the 15 mdx.

We have a 10 month old and nothing was as annoying as my wife going to the car and having it shut off while putting in our daughter and me having to come out RESTART it and then run back in house.

Also, on the RDX only the front two door handles will unlock with touch, the mdx does all four which is cool.
Hopefully on the 16 they added that to rear door handles as well

 

No, because you have to hit "lock" on the key fob before you can remote start, and you can't shift out of park unless the fob is in the car.

 

I'm assuming this feature is to prevent anyone using a metal wire to open the door while the engine is running. In that case there is nothing much to prevent him from driving off unless the gear is locked with key fob (as you say it is).

 

The factory remote starters generally won't allow for secure takeover. They do this to keep the car "safe" from potential thieves coming to smash your window and drive away. Not likely, but possible I suppose.
What they SHOULD do is make the system so that the vehicle searches for the fob when you put your foot on the brake to shift from park. If it doesn't find the key then the car shuts off.
That's how I usually have it setup when I install an aftermarket solution on cars like these. If carrying around two fobs is a hassle, then I encourage the smartphone module, so you can start/stop/lock/unlock right from your device rather than fumble with multiple keyfobs.

 

I can't say for sure, but I presume, if that were to happen, the car's security system would kill the engine and fuel supply, because it would know it's being broken into without the key fob anywhere nearby. Like I said, I can't think of any good reason for the engine to have to shut off.

 

I tested in my RDX today. I started the engine and got out and put the key away. Then I tried to drive off, it gave a warning beep but I was able to drive off without any problem. BTW my car doesn't have a remote starter. I highly doubt having that would change the outcome. So I presume the safety feature in RDX is well thought out. Of course it would be nicer if the car simply would not shift into gear without the fob but I don't know any other car which does this.

 

Yeah, i never understood why it does that. In the news last year a guy was pumping his gas n got robbed for his rdx and they were gone lol

Meanwhile, i believe the dodge challenger will start if the key is NEAR the car(doesnt have to be inside) BUT it will let the occupant drive away and cut engine when it doesnt find a keyfob after x amount of yards

 

Lexus may have changed this in recent years, but my wife's 07 ES350 disconnects the call if you shut off the car. Using the shift to neutral and shutting off the engine trick works.

 

Some older Acura leave accessory power available as long as you do not open the door for ten minutes so you can close windows and sunroof after turning the car off..

 

My 2011 TSX leaves the bluetooth running for 10 mins when I turn the car off. Weird.

 

When you are on the phone or want to continue listening to the radio, you can actually shift into park before pressing the start/stop button. Shift the vehicle to park but hold the shift button in and simultaneously press the red button. This ensures the vehicle won't roll if you lose your train of thought and take your foot off the break.

Its cumbersome but second nature to me after a year and 9 months with my RDX.

I do not have the automatic starter but have never read anything positive feedback. I did have auto start on my old Jeep Wrangler... It was too expensive to idle. :3