kareshi

Was given a 21RDX as loaner, I was happy to have an "extended test drive".

The cabin is totally new to me. What I like are

- panoramic sunroof. The top is now large and bright. Even though you half open it, it is still larger than the previous gen and mdx.
- seats are very comfy although probably not as wide as the mdx seats. Firm and comfy and better than the seats in my mdx
- storage space in center console.it is spacious and the armrest is large enough for in car dining((
- the audio. It is miles better than the mdx！
- cabin noise. Super quiet
- firm suspension. Went over the crosstrack a few times and it absorbed the bump very nicely, better than my mdx

What I Feel disappointed;
- throttle response. I tried sports and sports+ only. It is aggressive enough But the initial response from rest or with sudden acceleration is not fast enough. My mdx reacts quicker.The rdx, however, feels faster once it has picked up. Transmission also feels smoother. I like how my mdx drives though overall.

- the nav map. Zoom is always at the closest level. I have to use the touchpad to zoom out. I missed zoom in and out with the dial on the mdx

- radio stayed on after engine shutoff. Not sure if there is way to disable it, but radio is off only if door has opened which I don't prefer.

DriverOne

A dial for zooming on the map would be pretty handy. I also feel like if you could pan around just by clicking the touchpad (click the top part to pan upwards, etc) it would improve functionality A LOT.

Ludepower

Cabin noise is not the best but the awesome sound system drowns it out.

Agree with the throttle response. I feel the v6 gives you instantaneous torque over the 2.0 turbo.

Music playing after engine shutdown is fine because I'm usually collecting my belongings and contemplating life before I exit the car.

kareshi

Yes, I pan around the map often in the mdx with the dial. It is handy.

I forgot to mention that I like the rdx rear camera's resolution. It is clearer.

kareshi

The rdx throttle response is a huge let down.

jmhumr

Hmm, I didn’t notice that at all on my extended test drive.

JB in AZ

I like that the radio stays on after engine shutoff. Occasionally, on weekends, we take my wife's 2020 CR-V when we do errands, and it does not have this feature. It seems very odd, as all of our cars for the last (guessing)10years have had this feature. I suspect Honda didn't include it in the CR-V due to its high amount of parasitic drain already....which I am sure the RDX also has, but the RDX has the AGM battery. Dunno AGM batteries

tecwerks

Want better throttle response? Do this, when in Sport + mode and D (Drive) is selected on the tranny, press the D button again which places the tranny in permanent sequential mode for current driving session until you either press the D selector again, turn off Sport + or park the car and turn it off.

dweilbacher

I know, right? I have an older 2011 Honda Accord with Nav and it has the dial. Zooming and navigation of the map is so much easier (again 2011 car). Surprised Acura/Honda does not learn what works and improve on it.

Personally, I feel the Mode Dial in the RDX is not needed and rarely used. I keep it on Sport mode 95% of the time. I would have been fine with some buttons to select the mode. Then use the dial to control Maps.

acuraada

But that would make sense so no... design over practicality, performance inspired.

jmhumr

I don't blame Acura for mimicking the NSX drive mode dial on the RDX. It's a conversation piece that fits their new performance-oriented marketing push. Be thankful that they at least put a volume knob on the dash.

4th Acura

kareshi, I agree with your review. I am a present owner of a 2016 MDX and 2020 RDX. I would add that the RDX is quieter and better handling, if you’re into sportiness. Unlike most smallish crossovers the back seat is comfortable enough for my 6’ 4” son. The stereo is light years ahead and really shines with 5.1 media. However, I do miss the CD player. The mmi needs improvement. Overall an impressive, driver centric car.

kareshi

yeah but the sequential mode is not that natural. i think if the RDX got a V6 it would be a different story

4th Acura

I’ve gotten use to the audio playing when the car is turned off, I actually prefer it.

mark101010

Re: radio stayed on after engine shutoff. Not sure if there is way to disable it, but radio is off only if door has opened which I don't prefer.


Its not just the radio, the nav screen also stays on. I find it annoying that if I stop the car and stay in the car I have to open the door or my battery starts to drain!

Burger Steak & Eggs

There is a fair amount of extra capacity in the electrical system because of the start stop feature. I would not worry about discharged batteries after a few minutes of radio with the engine off.

Burger Steak & Eggs

This may mean you are a conservative driver, perhaps not using full throttle that often. Being satisfied with the vehicle (or a specific characteristic) is a good thing. Wish I was in the same boat.

Burger Steak & Eggs

That works to a good degree, but it reminds me of an old air cooled 125cc motocross bike. Huge lags in the throttle response can only be mitigated by running around with the engine constantly screaming, 6000 rpm. That might be OK in the middle of a motocross race, but it gets tiring during daily commutes.

chasator

4th Acura, what music source can you use to get 5.1 Media?

4th Acura

I’ve ripped my old collection of DVD-A’s into FLAC files and play them through USB.
I don’t stream music so I’m unsure if 5.1 is available that way. I would think not.

bbstenor

i haven’t been able to find a source for 5.1 streaming. It’d be a LOT of data. Amazon Music HD streams stereo FLAC at CD or 24/48 quality through Apple CarPlay and sounds amazing compared to Apple Music, which is streamed at 256 AAC or 320 MP3. Spotify and SiriusXM are almost unlistenable on the ELS system.

chasator

That's a good tip to try Amazon Music HD and that's amazing that it can be streamed over the cellular system. Also, is that an additional subscription above the regular Amazon Music monthly fee? Are you on 5G or 4G in your area?

chasator

I just looked it up online and see the fee is $12.99 per month. Certainly worth it for that kind of sound quality.

bbstenor

If you pay annually, it's also discounted by two months. My Amazon Music HD Family Plan is $199 a year (not discounted for Prime members like the Individual Plan, unfortunately), and that allows up to 5 simultaneous separate streaming downloads by family members. Even though it's only my wife and me using it, it's still a decent price compared to Apple Music, Spotify - and about the same as SiriusXM, I believe, once you get past their come-on sign-up offers. Noe of those services have HD quality.
I'm on a Verizon 4G "Unlimited" plan, using an iPhone 11 through CarPlay in my 2020 Advance SH-AWD. It's an "unlimited" plan with a seniors' discount, which means that when the cell towers are busy, you are the first in line to get rolled back to a slower 3G speed. I haven't seen that yet, although I guess it's a possibility. Plenty of cell towers near me.

chasator

Thank you again for the excellent tip. I signed up for it and downloaded the app so I will be all set when I pick up the car tomorrow. I have been on Spotify so I can share music with my adult children so I'll have to see if I can get them to switch and join a family plan.
My company pays for my iPhone so we'll see if I max out their data plan with listening to HD music....lol.

chasator

bbstenor just gave me a tip to us Amazon Music HD and stream it with apple carplay. Much higher quality stream but not 5.1. $12.99/mo and 1st 3 months free. I just signed up.

bbstenor

You're welcome! I’ve never used Spotify, but I've read that their suggestions and playlists are the best out there for music discovery. Since I’m an old codger mostly set in the cement of the '60s to early '80s, I use my own playlists ported over from iTunes/Apple Music, so that’s not so important to me. That might be important to younger family members.