I bought my RDX in February 2021. The five-year bumper-to-bumper warranty on my Jaguar was due to expire at the end of April. I had toyed with the idea of waiting for the 2022s because I thought maybe they would be leaps and bounds more advanced than the 2021s. So, one day I wandered into my local dealership's showroom (my 2008 RDX-Tech was in the service department getting an oil change) just to look around and I saw a stunningly beautiful 2021 RDX PMC in orange metallic with black accents and all of the option packages. I fell in love. The car had arrived only the day before and was the dealer's only allotment. I put down a deposit, drove home in my 2008 RDX, and returned with my 2017 Jaguar (purchased in 2016) to trade and made the deal. I LOVE THIS CAR. As a second time Acura RDX owner, I kind of knew what I was getting. No, the car is a lot slower than my Jaguar SUV. A 272 HP 4 cylinder turbo just doesn't have quite the oomph of a 380HP V6, but I knew when I made the trade. I'm getting old and I need to drive slower anyway. Still, my only hesitation was not waiting for the 2022 RDXs. But now that I've seen them, I am so happy I did not wait. The 2022 is totally disappointing except for one feature. First, the PMC blue color is horrid. OMG, it looks awful. I like blue. My Jaguar was blue. But the 2022 PMC RDX blue is not attractive. Second, the wheels are much less attractive than the black wheels on my 2021. Third, the engine is the same! No bump in HP at all. I was thinking there would be and I'd be sorry about not waiting, but nope. The same engine. Fourth, the front-end change is hideous! It looks neutered like the Gen 2. Whose ideas was that? Fifth, the price went up. Nuff said.

Here is the one thing that is good about the 2022 RDX, the only improvement: I believe there is a power-folding mirror option for those of us in the USA. Canada had it on their 2021s, so I've heard. That's it. The 2022 RDX is uglier and not any quicker than the 2021. And the PMC version comes in only one color and it is very unattractive. The worst-looking blue I've ever seen. By contrast, the 2021 A-Spec blue is beautiful.

That's it. I am so very glad that I did not wait for the 2022 version.

 

There's so much to comment about your post haha.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but do refresh model cars normally get a boost in HP? I thought they normally work around the looks and minor technology factors rather than the entirety of the engine and whatever is in that bay area. Take the '16 vs '21 Lexus RX350 for example, lots of improvements on tech, and minor adjustments to front fascia and rear, but no change essentially to the engine.
Color is subjective, I agree I'd much rather have Apex Blue, but comparing the '19-'21 PMC, I do feel like there is no point of having the '22 PMC besides the LE factor. Everything else is the same. '21 PMC had somewhat a merge between A-spec & Advanced at the least.
Looks of the wheels are also subjective. I actually REALLY like the new wheels on the top trim levels of the '22 RDX and prefer it. I liked the wheels that came on the '21 A-spec models too, but much more on the '22.
The front end is just to be consistent with the MDX. Personally, I prefer the '19-'21 front fascia as well, but.... With the new improvements of power folding mirror, wireless AA/CP/charging, ambient lighting, acoustic glass for quieter cabin, remote start, I'm willing to sacrifice the front fascia for it.

 

Big thing I am waiting to hear from owners of the updated 2022 RDX. Is it significantly quieter? I felt the road noise and fake piped in engine sounds were a bit much on my 19 Advance.

 

WOW. ok. you gotta understand how honda does cars. theyre not going to change anything major mechanically in an MMC. i guarantee you there's little things that have been done that they dont talk much about. for things they did mention, they recalibrated things like the brake booster and/or BBW software and damping tunes so, the attention to detail is there, they just dont like to make massive changes. if you go in and read the technical details, which are MANY (and NOBODY provides this level of detail, btw, most mfgs think their customers are too stupid to care), you'd be way less disappointed i think.

this is Honda. the flipside is, there stuff is (generally) very very solid and well thought out. you can go spend $10K more to get a GLB 35 with worse seats and fewer features to get 30-50 more hp if you really want to.


i WOULD love to see them to the full-blown Civic Type R motor package as a Type S, maybe they feel the car is too heavy for a larger turbo off the line, IDK.


https://www.acura.com/news-and-press...ory=RDXNewsRss
https://www.acurainfocenter.com/vehi...efits/interior

 

A lot of people were expecting an RDX Type-S with the 355 hp engine, despite all the warning signs against it.

 

Waiting on a 2022 delivery and I do agree that the 19-21 front bumper looks much better.

 

I agree on the PMC blue but you can still get Apex Blue.

I think the model in this video looks pretty great:

 

From a marketing perspective, you'd only be looking at a 34hp bump, which is way too low for a Type S. The only real option is the V6T from the TLX Type S, assuming it'll fit. It makes so much sense to offer that for this car, so I can only imagine the reason they're note is because of supply chain issues or it won't actually fit under the hood as is.

 

Well, if the real engine sound isn't much to enjoy, why not fake?

 

If you want the PMC you have to take the PMC blue.

 

That's too bad about the PMC blue....that color is similar to a color Ford used in the 69/70 Mustangs which have kind of been my 'classic dream car' I think they called it Grabber Blue? Of course people's opinions will vary on the new color, like everything. We see the wheels and front end similarly. I like the 19-21 ASpec wheels and liked the front end as well. But I do think Acura made a lot of positive changes in the new 2022 updates.
Like JB, I am interested to hear thoughts on the noise level of the interior.
As for the engine power, I was having a conversation with a neighbor a couple days ago about electric cars, and one of the things we opined on was, with the mad rush to full electric announced over the past year by the car makers, how much engineering effort will go in to improving/creating/tuning gas powered engines any more, in what may be their final years. (GM, for example stating that by 2035 they will be all electric...and not sure on others but it is definitely the trend assuming nothing gets in the way.

 

OoO an exciting thread

Am i the only one that likes the new front fascia on the MY22? I think it is gorgeous on the car

That's a good point, can the current RDX chassis handle more power, and if so, is it worth waiting until 4G for newer power variants due to investments/electrification.

 

True but it’s got the same options as the ASpec Advance now. I don’t see the appeal of the PMC at this point.

 

So apparently the embargo lifts tomorrow at 1PM EST. I'd probably be on the lookout for some new reviews these upcoming few days.

 

Most of your complaints are highly subjective. For instance, I personally love the PMC blue on the 2022 and wasn't a fan of the Pumpkin Orange on the 2021. The new A-Spec/PMC wheel design looks good to me in black, but I think they look terrible in the shark grey.

There's no real rule that a car will get a power bump during a mid-cycle refresh ... heck, even next gens don't always get power bumps. Look at the RDX ... the 3G comes with less power and is slower in a straight line. As long as you're happy with your purchase, that's ultimately what matters most.

 

Accept he RDX for what it is. I did before I bought my 2021. It's a dressed up Honda that handles well. It sits in between your garden variety mid stream and a luxury crossover.
It's a very nice premium crossover. I've owned a lot of vehicles lately and I'm (so far) enjoying mine about as much I can for a $45K vehicle.

 

I completely agree!!!!, OP enjoy your "beautiful" 2021 model and we will enjoy our "ugly" 2022 model as per your opinion...LOL

 

The V6 would definitely fit as early interviews with Jon Ikeda had him saying they re-engineered the front to accommodate a V6. At the time it seemed very logical that a Type-S or V6 would eventually show up since they said it could hold one and all the competition offered one but it never showed up in the product plan nor did we see camouflaged cars rolling around. I figure development resources ended up killing it - they had the TLX, MDX, and Integra in the works and a refresh of the NSX so they just couldn't find the engineers to focus on it.

 

He is comparing a V6 Jaguar to a 4 cylinder Acura. Lost one isnt he.

 

He is comparing a V6 Jaguar to a 4 cylinder Acura. Lost one isnt he.

 

as being in the automotive industry for the past 10 years, i see the poster has so much love in RDX with wishlist on 22MY but no sense of how OEM the mid program life cycle works in a real world. Anyhow, it is always appreciated to show your passion to make the world better. Respect!

 

As others have said, the intro of the A-Spec/Advance trim opens up more color choices if you don't like the PMC blue.

I came into this thread hoping for some reasonable feedback and instead I get the owner of a '21 PMC RDX justifying his purchase. There's really no need to put down the whole '22 RDX line because of one stupid color...

 

Has the 22 improved the apparently rear camera with birds eye view? I have a 2020 with a standard camera which is very good, although reports of the top end Birdseye camera were lo-res and poor low light capabilities… Anyone know? Thanks.

 

Same old.

 

A few things to note here.

1. I like the new front end, its cleaner and more in line with the new design philosophy Acura has gone with.
2. I don care for the wheels on the advance a spec as well, but its subjective. Som will like them, and some wont.
3. at 272hp, its lower than many "true" luxury SUV's but more than some, both the base BMW X3 and the Porsche Macan are lower in HP than the RDX.

I have considered the RDX in 2020, 2021 and now in 2022 I actually pulled the trigger. The big difference is that now you can get an A-Spec with Advance in Apex Blue, sadly they wont allow for Red interior in that combo.
The added features of the Advance (360 cameras, Active suspension, HUD) make the vehicle so much more well rounded and desirable.

I am sure the front bumper will grow on you, I prefer it, I drove a 2021 A-spec SHAWD AND a 22 A-Spec advance SHAWD and while the engine is equally as loud at WOT, it rides much quieter, the added noice abatement was well done.

 

That is very good to hear, thank you.

 

Being that the RDX is not a "true" luxury crossover it shouldn't be compared to one. It's more a compact crossover in the premium class as is the Lexus NX, Infiniti QX50, Lincoln Corsair, etc.

 

Acura, and perhaps all manufacturers, mid-cycle refreshes are always very small tweaks. This should not be a surprise. Perhaps more solid in terms of issues.

 

I don’t put the X3 and the Macan in any different class then the qx50 (now 55, which is nice but a cvt? Really) Nx and Corsair. Tow-may-to Ta-mah-toe. We’re not talking levante or urus here. Either way I think the mid-cycle refresh was a welcome change in my humble opinion.

 

Has the "added noise abatement" over the 2021 actually been (decibel) comparison tested to prove a more quiet ride or do you just personally perceive it that way?

 

it’s noticeable to anyone but it’s specific to the advance version. You get additional sound deadening in that package. But as I’m a total geek I have an app on my phone. I was actually surprised how loud my 330i is in comparison.

 

wheels and bumper grow on you, though im selling the wheels. overall, so far, really impressed with the car. i feel the value is there and have #noragrets versus going hyindai genesis MB BMW, Audi

 

Wheels are the only thing I’m not a fan of on the Advance Aspec!

 

I guess that is very subjective, we traded our 21 Aspec in for a 22 Aspec Adv and both my wife & I commented on how the wheels looked nicer on the '22 than the '21. To each their own I guess.

 

The only thing I don't like about the 22RDX is that I can't drive it enough, it just sits in my garage when working from home. I have to drive around the neighborhood just to get the urge out. Other than that minor complaint, the car is spot on!

 

Yep personal preference . With my taste I really like the MDX Type S Advance wheels design.

 

I have to agree, I am already shopping for a set of 20"X8" with a 50-40 offset in gloss black, and will DEFINITELY being doing the calipers in Red.

 

I hear you Lumify! Almost 2 years ago I traded in my 2016 RDX for an Audi Q3. Then came COVID shortly thereafter. I have less than 7000 miles on it - so sad, and embarrassing. Only good thing is that with that few miles I will get a decent trade-in. I’ve ordered a 2022 RDX Advance and hope to put more miles on it. I haven’t received a build date yet but will be anxious to get it. When I ordered it I was told I would probably get it sometime in January.

 

Enkei TSR-X looks great on this car

 

Thanks for your review. I have a deposit on a 2022 RDX Advance. Can anyone comment on the folding mirrors and how they work. For instance, when you turn off the car, do the mirrors automatically fold in? Can you press a button so both mirrors fold in while still driving? I ask as it would be easier to fold in the mirrors for pulling into my garage. I was disappointed to learn that when putting the car in reverse, both mirrors don’t automatically tilt. You can manually tilt one mirror at a time. I had the opportunity to drive a Lexus rx350 and the mirrors were great. Thanks