Powertrain impressions
Suzuka Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,533
Likes: 959
Both types of engines have their advantages and disadvantages. While the NA engine provides a linear power delivery, the turbo has the advantage of more power once the turbo is spooled up and is far better at higher altitudes.
The solution is simple - throw a turbo on the 6.
The solution is simple - throw a turbo on the 6.
Good sir I love the way you think. But would eat my shoe the day Acura tried to be not stale.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 893
Likes: 190
From: Not far enough from Chicago
I wouldn't expect any drastic changes to the RDX anytime soon. The powertrain is great. I'm glad they stuck to the 6 spd auto - the newer transmissions are complete trash. Go drive a newer MDX and you'll want to bail out halfway thru the test drive. My mom has a venza, its decent, but I don't get the comparisons between the 2. She has the v6 AWD model, it rides rough, turn radius sucks, clunks all over the place, interior tech is deplorable. Worst backup camera I've ever used, the list of negatives can go on.... There's a reason it sold for shit and Toyota dropped it. The RDX on the other hand is selling great for its segment. The v6 certainly sets it apart from the majority of competitors, especially at its price point. The RDX is far from perfect, but its an easy compromise when you drive back 2 back with its competitors.
Null and proud of it
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 10,385
Likes: 904
From: Metairie, LA
Both types of engines have their advantages and disadvantages. While the NA engine provides a linear power delivery, the turbo has the advantage of more power once the turbo is spooled up and is far better at higher altitudes.
The solution is simple - throw a turbo on the 6.
The solution is simple - throw a turbo on the 6.
9th Gear
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I wouldn't expect any drastic changes to the RDX anytime soon. The powertrain is great. I'm glad they stuck to the 6 spd auto - the newer transmissions are complete trash. Go drive a newer MDX and you'll want to bail out halfway thru the test drive. My mom has a venza, its decent, but I don't get the comparisons between the 2. She has the v6 AWD model, it rides rough, turn radius sucks, clunks all over the place, interior tech is deplorable. Worst backup camera I've ever used, the list of negatives can go on.... There's a reason it sold for shit and Toyota dropped it. The RDX on the other hand is selling great for its segment. The v6 certainly sets it apart from the majority of competitors, especially at its price point. The RDX is far from perfect, but its an easy compromise when you drive back 2 back with its competitors.
Null and proud of it
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 10,385
Likes: 904
From: Metairie, LA
The Venza isn't anything like an RDX, it's a bit in its own league... I really miss this wagon/sedan/small crossover segment we had from about 2009-2015, I'd really consider one personally...
These are the only ones I can think of in that scarse segment...
Non-Luxury
Toyota Venza
Honda Crosstour
Mazda CX-3 (maybe)
Luxury
Acura ZDX
BMW X6
Infiniti EX35 (now the QX40?, I think, and does this one even count)
Honestly, everything else was just too tall looking, therefor seen as a true SUV inspired CUV...
This now dead category is something special in my eyes, and I'd take a Crosstour any day!!!
These are the only ones I can think of in that scarse segment...
Non-Luxury
Toyota Venza
Honda Crosstour
Mazda CX-3 (maybe)
Luxury
Acura ZDX
BMW X6
Infiniti EX35 (now the QX40?, I think, and does this one even count)
Honestly, everything else was just too tall looking, therefor seen as a true SUV inspired CUV...
This now dead category is something special in my eyes, and I'd take a Crosstour any day!!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 352
Likes: 83
8 Posts? Welcome. You and rockyboy's mother are the only 2 people I've heard of who have both the RDX and Venza. I owned a venza and currently own an RDX. The venza had a much smoother ride (it's on a camry platform) than the RDX (it's on a civic platform) and the venza's wheelbase is about 4 inches longer and I think that has a lot to do with the smoother ride. I found the 6 cyl venza's drivetrain to be FAR smoother than the RDX - always smooth, never hard shifting, never clunking at low speeds, no in and out of VCM mode (cylinder deactivation). Most car magazines refer to Toyota's 6 cyl drivetrain as buttery smooth. As far as drivability, I believe the venza is in a different class than our RDX - a class above the RDX. The venza drove like a car where the acura drives more like a pickup - a harder ride and choppy at times. As to the steering, they both have electronic steering so there's not much to feel. The venza's shortcomings were it's lack of technology (most of which I didn't use and don't use in the RDX although it is there) and it's MAJOR shortcoming was that it had the classic Toyota "cheapest materials we could find" interior. The leather in the venza was fine, but everything else was hard shiny plastic and some of the pieces didn't fit very well - especially the dash. I don't often have passengers, but the rear seat passengers in the venza enjoyed reclining (much like the CR-V) and that isn't available on the RDX for some reason. I think the venza pretty much failed because it was competing with other Toyotas in addition to other brands. I drove the venza 5 years and have had the RDX just over 1 year (July 31-Aug 9). Just my opinion. You may/may not agree.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,637
Likes: 118
From: Ontario, Canada
8 Posts? Welcome. You and rockyboy's mother are the only 2 people I've heard of who have both the RDX and Venza. I owned a venza and currently own an RDX. The venza had a much smoother ride (it's on a camry platform) than the RDX (it's on a civic platform) and the venza's wheelbase is about 4 inches longer and I think that has a lot to do with the smoother ride. I found the 6 cyl venza's drivetrain to be FAR smoother than the RDX - always smooth, never hard shifting, never clunking at low speeds, no in and out of VCM mode (cylinder deactivation). Most car magazines refer to Toyota's 6 cyl drivetrain as buttery smooth. As far as drivability, I believe the venza is in a different class than our RDX - a class above the RDX. The venza drove like a car where the acura drives more like a pickup - a harder ride and choppy at times. As to the steering, they both have electronic steering so there's not much to feel. The venza's shortcomings were it's lack of technology (most of which I didn't use and don't use in the RDX although it is there) and it's MAJOR shortcoming was that it had the classic Toyota "cheapest materials we could find" interior. The leather in the venza was fine, but everything else was hard shiny plastic and some of the pieces didn't fit very well - especially the dash. I don't often have passengers, but the rear seat passengers in the venza enjoyed reclining (much like the CR-V) and that isn't available on the RDX for some reason. I think the venza pretty much failed because it was competing with other Toyotas in addition to other brands. I drove the venza 5 years and have had the RDX just over 1 year (July 31-Aug 9). Just my opinion. You may/may not agree.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post