So, I traded in by beloved 2011 MDX with 130K on it for a 2020 RDX Aspec. I wanted something a bit smaller as the kids are all grown and gone. The wife still has her 2013 RDX with 90K and it’s been a dream. I was out and about and saw a 2022 RDX Aspec CPO with SH-AWD on a dealers lot and said what the hell. Let’s take it for a ride and see if there is any difference in the mid production upgrade. Well 3 hours later, the 2022 came home with me. This car is so much quieter and with the SH-AWD, it handles like a dream. Anyway, just a story of the shortest time of ownership I’ve ever had (7 months with a 2014 Honda Crosstour that the wife hated…lol).

 

Awesome and congratulations! The SHawd is a monster in the snow and rain. Might consume more petrol - but the track-ability is second to none.

 

“The car is so much quieter”. Are there known sound improvements for 2022?

 

Yes, that was one of the refresh focus areas.

 

There are! They put acoustic side glass (iirc pre-lift models only had an acoustic windshield on the top model), they also put in a bunch more sound deadening materials and foams into the structure.

 

Congrats! Love that color

 

I have the same color in my 2020 A-spec...best color ever... still get compliments from people. Other than bad fuel economy, it's a great car.

 

Interesting. I dont have any noise complaints with my 2020 aspec sh-awd, but I am not so sensitive to road noise. My next car likely will not be Acura.

 

The 2019 Aspec SH-AWD model I test drove last year for a few hours also really didn't bother me either and I drove it for a good couple hours just on the highway alone. But then again I don't really expect quietness from Acura so maybe I wasn't paying attention. I've driven many many different vehicles over the years and I can't say I've ever really noticed a significant difference in quietness. Like I've noticed when a vehicle is excessively loud (any mitsubishi I've ever driven) but otherwise they all kinda fall in the same place for me.

Why do you say your next vehicle will not be an Acura?

 

Its my 3rd Acura, and what I noticed is a decline in quality. The infotainment issues not resolved, and now I have small transmission leak and have to see what is the resolution on that

 

Fair enough and I actually really agree with you. They've been making a series of really stupid mistakes and choices in the last decade that IMO started when they decided to put the ZF9 in the MDX/Pilot.

 

What cars are you considering?

 

Lexus RX350 maybe. Its little different, but that might be interesting. Not now, maybe in few years

 

Oh sorry to hear that! I was reading this article saying that the car build quality has gone down since 2020 (Covid) across the industry. I have a family friend that has a Lexus RX (their second one), and they had a few issues since the beginning of 2023. They mentioned that their first RX was flawless and zero issue and this one that's built in 2021, they are already experiencing a few issues. Hope this gets resolved for all car companies but for Acura and Lexus as quality, reliability and resale value are their strong points.

 

I guess quality for all recent cars went down hill. I had 2001 CL, 2008 RDX, and now 2020 RDX. 2008 I had for 11 years and it has practically zero issues. 2020 RDX quality seems down.

 

Funny you mention this, I've been noticing the last gen RX on the road lately. I really like the rear end but hate the front end, but am seriously considering grabbing one. But you really cannot go wrong with the RX.


This makes sense to me. They kept opening and closing factories in what felt like every other day. people were scared, they had to reduce numbers of staff, the whole chip shortage....etc. It really was very crazy.

My 07 RDX Tech was the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I still regret selling it 10 years later.