I recently had an '18 MDX loaner with 169 miles. Most noticeable ' feature " was the rough shifting between 1st and 2nd. The vehicle stayed in 1st such a short period of time that I am not sure why it is needed..

Six months ago, I had a '17 MDX loaner which had a smooth transmission.

I was also surprised that the MDX has less driver leg room than my '17 RDX. I am 6'4 " so I have to be concerned about leg and head room.

 

My 2018 MDX Advance shifts like buttah…..

 

At 6'2" I have my seat a ways foreword. I think your seating style is much different from mine. Im quite comfortable driving my 18MDX. Thats the wonderful thing aboitmpower seats and steering wheel. Almost anyone can get comfortable. Sat in a 19RDX to me it was way more cramped than my MDX. That is one reason we bought the MDX. Just did not want to be in a tight car any longer.
BTY my trans is smooth too. Generally speaking I believe it starts in second from a dead start.

 

I haven't driven a '19 RDX, but on paper the driver's leg room is about 1/2 " less than the gen 2. A lot of the comfort/discomfort for me has to do with the shape of the floor.

 

Looks like the default drive mode is in Sport or Sport+, hence it holds 1st gear longer. I noticed that in the 2017 MDX loaner I drove last week.

 

default mode is what ever was last selected. The button just behind the "D" button selects between the three driving modes, comfort, normal, sport.