What other SUV/CUV's did you consider before getting an RDX? And how did they compare? My 2013 was totaled in an accident. I'm considering buying another RDX but thought I'd look at some alternates as well.

 

We had a late model Highlander but the bride declared it too large for her to be comfortable parking so, shopping we went (you've heard about happy wife happy......etc) Anyway, we actually started with a list of about 20 suv style vehicles then began paring the list based on 'must have' and 'would really like to have' items on our list. The top 'must have' for the lady was RDX dimensions which included an Acura, a Toyota, a Mazda, a Volvo, a Hyundai, a Ford a Lexus a Lincoln and several others. My list included a V6 (with an opening hatch glass in the 'would really like' column) which really narrowed things down. There was a power liftgate and rear seat AC in the mix too (we live in the desert southwest). We went to an international car show and spent hours in a 'lot' of crossovers/suvs. The clear winner was the RDX (Lexus was #2 but the I just couldn't live with all the exterior angles) and next day we were on an Acura lot doing a deal for a vehicle they didn't even have and had to find in another state. The significant other is thrilled and tells me how happy with the car she is nearly every time she drives it which counts for a bunch. Now, if I could just get her to let me haul things in the back......

Cheers!

 

I checked out and test drove Lexus RX350, BMW X3, Audi Q5, Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4, Highlander, and Subaru Forester as well as the RDX. My ride at the time was a 1994 Volvo 850 that I had been driving for 18 yrs (hence why I didn't check out the XC60 - wanted something different). Each car had it's virtues, but for me it came down to the RDX or the X3. I test drove each one multiple times. I really found the RDX front seats comfortable and supportive which was one of my main criteria, and although I did enjoy driving the X3 and thought it handled well, I figured it would be much costlier to maintain, even if the reliability of the RDX and X3 were about the same. I was looking at late model CPOs. Here it is, my 2014 FWD w/ Tech:



...and, the old Volvo right before I sold it for a whopping $500! (244K on it):

 

Test drove a number of things. The ones that stand out in my memory are: Subaru Forester (wasn't for me, but the SO got one), Subaru Outback (worse than the Forester), Toyota 4Runner, X5, Q5, Macan. Really wanted an SUV but the sedans that almost swayed me were: S5, BMW 5 Series, Accord Sport. Overall happy with the RDX, but it is not perfect.

 

Test drove: Porsche Macan, BMW X3, BMW 328d, Infinity QX50, Lexus NX200.

Looked at: Mercedes Benz GLA and GLC, Nissan, Lexus RX350 and others.

Cost was not a deciding factor.

 

Lexus NX and Ford Edge Platinum were the main competition. I did test drive the Jaguar F-Pace, but realized it got way too expensive way too fast. Considered a BMW but my brother and good friend owned them, loved the ride and hated the cost to maintain... Didn't bother with the Mercedes as the wife refused to even look at them.

 

Test drove the BMW X1 & X3. The X3 had great pickup but fairly loud engine sound. Also the ride seemed more jittery than I expected. The X1 had a nicer, smoother ride IMO. But cargo area smaller than what I'd like. First time I drove a car (the X3) with a HUD. Wouldn't be a deciding factor, but "cool" nonetheless.

 

I went back and forth between a 2013 RDX and 2013 Highlander primarily. I couldn't get past soccer dad I felt when I test drove the Highlander so it was a no brainer for me. The RDX still has, hands down, the best price to value ratio for any vehicle I've ever owned. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't driven one.

 

Test drove a Lexus NX (new 2017) and liked it. Nice ride, peppy, and quieter turbo than the BMW. But... a bit smaller cargo area than I'd like. I tried out both the F-Sport and regular versions. The F-sport is supposed to have a sporty firmer suspension, but I couldn't feel much a difference. Both versions have eco-normal-sport transmission modes. The more expensive F-sport has seats with more pronounced side bolsters but doesn't offer ventilated seats that the regular version does. No 2018's were available. Advised that they are just coming out on allocation basis.

 

My list...haven't bought an RDX yet, but I'll be trading in my 06' MDX in the next couple weeks...
CRV Touring, Tucson Limited Ultimate, Cx5. I lump these into the same category strictly because of the somewhat whiney 4 cylinder engines. The CX5 was the nicest of the 3 to drive, but I felt claustrophobic in the driver's seat, and it is the worse for rear storage. The Tucson was more fun to drive than the CRV. I liked the styling and layout better than the CRV. The CRV was a little more plush which is nice since I log some miles, but the new Tucson reminded me the most of my 06' MDX in design and feel. Quieter at idle than the crv and a little less engine whine under acceleration. Tighter suspension. Would leave to see a 6cyl in it. Storage is better than the CX5 and not as good as the CRV. The CRV still reminds me of the mom car. The mini van look and center dash adds to it. That center dash shifter just irks me. Makes for nice storage between the seats though.

To the Subarus. I thought about the FXT, but I hate the front seats. I feel like I'm sitting on it than in it. And the bottom cushion is too short. And while the cargo volume is decent, it's too vertical for my needs. I want more area, not height. I like the 6cyl Outback Touring. The low profile roof rails are classier looking than the integrated crossbar plastic ones. I like the brown interior as well. All the safety features. Not as quiet as the RDX, but it's as quiet as the first group above and the engine sounds a lot nicer. Can love if I need it to but cruise on the turnpike nicely. Rear storage beats all compact SUV's outside of the CRV. Better AWD than all the others as well. At the moment it is the more logical choice since work does require me to haul some product and instruments from time to time.

​​​​​​The Tiguan. Seemed to have the worst mpg's compared to everything above so I didn't bother. But.... I came across the Alltrack. I love the GTI. It is just a blast to drive. I really don't care to spend luxury money on a sports car, but if I were to ha e a 2nd car, it would be GTI Autobahn in a heartbeat. That's when I came across the Alltrack. About 80% of the GTI performance. Best driving experience out of all the above. Less cargo storage with the seats up than the crv and Outback, but as good or better than the rest. Very good with he seats down. Cockpit feeling without feeling confined like I did in the CX5. Has Android Auto and all the safety features except for blind spot and cross traffic. That annoys me when the sportswagon has both. Why remove them? The big kicker is it didn't sell well. Is getting blind spot and cross traffic in the 2018. This means I can pick up a new one (msrp of 35k +) for $27k. For that price I can live with it for a few years and trade it in to get the latest and greatest which should be a bit of an upgrade over 2017/18 models. My biggest negative is I lose the ride height. Haven't decided if I can deal with that yet. Almost forgot, it has the best mpg of them all as well and takes regular.

The RDX is familiar coming from. My MDX even if it's an 06. My sister has a 14 I've driven. I had a loaner 2018 for two days while they did the airbag recall and it was what I expected it to be. Smooth, quiet, powerful, great interior. Handles well though I would love SHAWD. I can get a 2016 tech with super low miles for 29k. Can get a 2027 for 32k. There seem to be more and more on the market as dealers turnover their loaner fleets, and I've seen quite a few price drops. So the 2016 at $29k is pretty appealing. The price drops also let me bargain with dealers where they keep telling me they can't move more than a few hundred. If that's the case than why do these three dealers have ones similar priced $2k less?

I excluded Lexus, infinity and whatever other luxury lines because their cargo storage simply sucks. Sorry... The U is for Utility for reason. Especially for the price premium they demand. Lots of power with very little utility. Heck, even the CX9 doesn't have the behind the seats cargo storage my 11yr old MDX has. And it's 9" longer. Seems like a nice vehicle though.. I'm just tired of driving g something that big and having clueless people tear into my bumper in parking garage and lots.

So it's a three horse race for me... RDX, Outback and Alltrack. The Alltrack is the price leader and easiest to stomach price wise if I look at it as a 3-4ur solution. The RDX is second, and I'd probably have it for longer than 4yrs. I can't find a 2017 OB Touring for under $31k in a 200 mile radius. It would most likely be the long term vehicle to where I'd probably pick up a GTI for fun after working on the house is done.

Having the RDX as a loaner was the best though. Made the 15 minute test drives of the others seem worthless. Considering I keep cars for a while, being able to drive one for a few hours, run errands, load the cargo area and such seems essential for getting a feel. And if a dealer is able to give a longer test drive, they most likely should if they want someone to part with $30k.

Right now I'm enjoying seeing the price drops hit the listings as well as seeing the days on the lot increase. Just helps my position. The 2016 RDX came down to $29 and change from $33k and change when they told me $31k plus was the best they could do.

Sorry for the long winded. To my detriment I'm a researchaholic, so this whole process has been driving me crazy as not one car has emerged as the clear winner. If the Alltrack had blind spot and cross traffic and was $27k, I'd bite no problem and experiment for three years on riding like a car and not an SUV.
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Seriously considered Lexus NX but finally decided to go with RDX. I don’t like having to gas up the vehicle with premium and I know it may be just a mindset of a frugal type, and note I intend to keep it for a while. Another major factor was I did not like the exterior angles in the NX just like Gadgetjq commented. I also did not like the cockpit feel in the driver seat of the NX.

 

I looked at a BMW X1. It had good power for a turbo 4-cylinder, but I thought the ride was harsh, due to the short wheel base and higher center of gravity with German suspension characteristics. Also, you needed to add on packages for simple things like integrated bluetooth, leather, and HID lights. I like that the RDX came standard with many of these options, and the tech package took care of all the rest. Also, the trunk space was much better in the RDX. Those are not in the exact same class, but there X3 quickly ballooned into a much higher price range.

I also enjoyed the test drive and buying experience at Acura vs. BMW (and I've purchased from both in the last year).