I have a 2014 Tech model RDX and I still like it just as much as when I first drove it off the lot a year ago. Yesterday I took my wife's RL into the dealer to look at a headrest issue. They gave me a loaded 2015 MDX to drive around for the day. Boy that was an eye opener! For some reason I thought the RDX was a scaled down MDX....not even close. First of all, the luxury of the vehicle is way beyond the RDX....all of the appointments including the seats and the ride...I was using the normal suspension and it just glided down the road. All the safety items that the RDX is missing such as the forward collision control and the lane changing warning was superb. The material used in the non leather areas was very nice..the front seats were like an easy chair in your living room....probably the number one improvement was the height adjustment capability on the passenger seat...my only complaint is that the vehicle drove big even though it does not look that much bigger when sitting side by side in the driveway. I guess what I'm thinking for a mere $15,000 more I could have had a lot more vehicle...but as an empty nester not sure if I need all that room for just driving around town by myself.

 

hopefully Acura updates the RDX for the next model year with a lot of these items you noticed.

 

That is how they get-cha with those loaner vehicles!

That is how it is with my MDX and RDX I currently have. The MDX is more comfortable, added level of luxury, and extra safety features; but, the RDX is more fun/easier to drive and the 99% solution for around town driving. We will be "empty nesters" in about 18-20 months and looking forward to have the same type of problems.

 

I too love my RDX, and this is why I will never drive the MDX. Same thing happened a few years ago when I bought my 2010 TL, SH-AWD with Tech. I do a lot of stop and go driving and they had a manual on the lot (same model). I would not test drive it because I knew I would love it and have to have it. Now I know the money was the same, in that instance, but I cannot tempt myself or I will get it.

 

I have both the 2014 MDX and RDX tech. I agree that the RDX is slightly more agile in daily driving, while the MDX has better interior and features, and smoother ride. I really like the sport, comfort and normal mode options on the MDX, I wish the RDX had that, and the adjustable passenger seat (what were they thinking,, RDX??).

Now I almost wish I had waited for the TLX to come out for my car instead of buying the RDX. But I'm generally satisfied with it.

 

Interesting timing...I just had a newish MDX loaner while addressing a couple of driveability issues with our two year-old RDX w/Tech.

In low-speed maneuvers, the MDX feels like a boat by comparison. Parking in our garage was quite a bit trickier and it just felt 'lumbersome' in driveway and parking lot operations. I'm sure I could get used to it(drove a school bus in another life); but it is certainly a different beast at low speeds.

On the other hand...it's HUGE with the middle row folded FLAT...wow! It was like going back to one of our full-sized Volvo wagons...what a pleasure to have that much room! However, our nest has always been empty and we would 'use' that much space very very rarely; so the size of the RDX makes much more sense.

Even though I'm only 5'11", I usually put the driver's seat all the way back on most vehicles...not so with the MDX---quite a difference.

My loaner didn't have all the electronic gee-gaws; so I can speak to those upgrades; but the cockpit certainly feels more grown up compared to the RDX.

All-in-all, I'd have to say the RDX fits our lifestyle better...as you may remember, we are going to consider a more compact 'ute' next year when our lease is up...but it sure wouldn't be too bad to have access to an MDX on occasion

 

Buy any Acura. When you need an MDX, take yours in for service and ask for an MDX loaner

 

I think this was one of reason why they made the ZDX for folks in similar (empty nest) situation. They wanted all the luxury without the need for all the space. A 12-13 ZDX is looking more and more appealing as my kid is getting closer to getting out the house!

 

there was an article yesterday where there was an interview with the new head of Acura. They discussed the new reorg where Acura is more independent from Honda. Part of the reason mentioned was that main stream and luxury brands needs to have slightly different strategies. Based on the interview i can infer you may see more luxury in Acuras (ie. TLX) vs. the cost saving done in the past. He seems to want to compete with Lexus and BMW and not be just a high end Honda. This is good news for the RDX since it may mean they may put in the laundry list of requests mentioned on this board. The old Honda approach would be some minor tweaks because sales are good but based on the interview it seems they may work to create the best Acura possible without being held back by Honda practices.

 

Go for the 12 Advance if you decide the get the ZDX.

 

Seems like he's headed in the right direction. This is what has been hurting Acura for so many years and why some consumers don't take them seriously as a true luxury brand. Gone are the days where you hold back on features that other brands, even non-luxury brands, are offering only to wait for a mid cycle refresh to add those same features and already be years behind in the game. Acura needs to pull out all the stops and get it right the first time (pricing and features). They can no longer expect consumers to gravitate towards the brand based solely on Acura's reputation for reliability. The TLX is a good start. Hopefully the RDX refresh will get some much needed additional features.

 

The problem with the ZDX is that it was plain fugly, and that's why it is gone from the line-up.

 

I saw the new TLX in the showroom earlier this week (only the 4 cylinder tech), and it is quite the step up in the cabin. Very nice car, but not quite Lexus quality. That said, I have cross shopped Lexus and Acura for years and for cost and drivers oriented reasons I always came away with the Acura. I love my RDX.

 

That sounds true. In my experience if anyone seriously cross shops Lexus and Acura; then they eventually get an Acura.
If they cross shop the german brands and Lexus, they end up with a Lexus (Acura doesn't reach their radar at that time).
If they are looking only at German brands, then they buy German...

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I get lots of compliments on my Z. I do think the new grille on the 2013 helps. I agree that the 10-12 beak was plain fugly and felt out of place on the Z.

I would say the real reason the Z wasn't a hit has less to do with its looks and more to do with the fact that Acura simply priced it too high. Also, the backseat is practically useless and the Z has little cargo space. When you put it up against the RDX and MDX, both of those vehicles are the clear winner with most consumers.

 

Sure. But for me, and I think for most shoppers, $15000 is a lot of coin. The RDX is a great value.

 

Yep...a near 40% increase in price really puts the MDX in a different league. To me, the MDX is all about room(and third row capacity). If not for that, then the gee-gaws come at a high price. Might take another look at the XC60 if the giant capacity isn't needed, but the gizmos are desired.

 

I agree $15,000 is quite a jump to go to MDX....I had to strectch it a bit for the RDX...I have looked at almost new pre-owned and they just don't want to give you much of a discount.

 

Acura can give RDX all the cool gadgets at the MMC but not the smooth and quiet ride the MDX has. This is actually why I went with a base MDX vs. RDX Tech. The difference is about $3-4K depending on when you look at them.

The MDX feels more of an upscale car than the RDX to me so the extra $$ was worth it. No offence to RDX owners.

For your record, I am one of those who hate the MDX touch screen very much. Buttons are much better. I also have a 4G TL and love that interior.

 

Don't worry. It won't offend any of us to hear that MDX rides better than RDX . After all its a bigger, expensive and more upscale car. What we are pleased about is the direction Acura is headed. May be in future the RDX will have all the ride characteristics of MDX (apart from 3 row seats and space). There are many reasons why we chose the RDX, and price is only one of them .

 

Yes, $15000 can get you a budget compact car for another family member to commute.

 

We are not offended when people mistake our RDX for an MDX. It's hard to tell the difference until you look very closely.

As to ride comfort, our current basis for comparison is that sled of a TSX. Awesome balanced handling but a rough-ish ride on some roads. The RDX is a limo by comparison. It's also better than our former Crosstour, as is the interior.

As a now-on-SS former "boy racer", I like to know what a car is doing underneath me and the RDX excels in appropriate feedback. We're in the Toronto area for the summer, and the RDX makes an ideal "urban traffic warrior" in a survival-of-the-fittest environment. Taxi drivers, beware!

 

 

Sorry to slag your vehicle, but I just don't like its styling. Same problem with the Crosstour. I also did not like the styling of my 2010 TL SH-AWD Tech but still bought it because I loved the interior. The ZDX did have a great dashboard. I think Honda lost it's styling ways for a few years. They are now making much better looking vehicles.

 

No apology necessary. The Z is one of those either you really love it or strongly hate it type of vehicles. I like the uniqueness and the fact that I don't see many of them on the road. And the interior is gorgeous.

 

I consider myself one of those that really loves the Z. If I could afford it I would have bought it instead of the RDX. Styling is so damn out of this world I love it...I guess I like it because its different and unique

 

Agreed on the interior, just don't sit in the back seat.

 

Drove both of them last weekend & ended up with the RDX. Not even in the same ballpark but the price dfference was too much.