Hello folks! Reaching out to this group to see if anyone here made the jump from a 2nd Gen RDX in to the 3rd Gen RDX.
Had my 2013 RDX for 4 years - I've listed some personal Pros and Cons to it below. I was hoping someone who had the same and has moved in to the 3rd Gen can let me how much is the same and how much is different.

Pros:
Value for money - Up here in Canada we basically had 2 packages in 2013. Tech (how I optioned my car) and the Base model. The Tech was a few thousand more than the Base, but the Base car was still very well equipped. With the 3rd Gen, there is a large price gap (>10k CDN) between the Base model and the Plat Elite. Is the Base really that poorly equipped? Conversely, is the Plat Elite really that nice?
Comfort - The 2nd Gen RDX has to be one of the most comfortable long haul cars I've ever driven. The leather seats are cushy and the cabin is quiet - these two things prevent quite a bit of driver fatigue. Hoping this has carried over.
Powertrain - I felt the V6 in the RDX was buttery smooth. With linear power delivery and a great 6-speed auto gearbox, the car was very predictable and had zero jerkiness.

Cons:
Reliability / Build Quality - My RDX was built in Ohio...from the moment I took delivery I saw a door gap with the front passenger door. It wasn't noticeable to others, but I saw it every time. 1 rear shock collapsed 3 years in to ownership and was fixed under warranty. The car also randomly 'stalled' on the highway once...I had to throw it in to neutral and then back in to gear before it engaged the gear again. Conversely, the 2011 TSX I had was built in Japan and had zero issues in 4 years of ownership. I'm seeing a handful of complaints coming from owners already - any major issues plaguing this Acura?
Sportiness - There really was none. The car had decent body swing (expected from an SUV), but putting the car in to S didn't really change the driving dynamics much aside from what seemed to be a change to the gear ratio. Is the new RDX able to adjust it's suspension in different modes?
Media System - The media system felt horribly outdated compared to it's German rivals. With no beautiful icons or a nice panoramic screen, it felt pretty boring. Hoping this has changed.

Overall - the 2nd Gen RDX I had was probably one of the best cars I've ever owned - barring a few reliability hiccups. Hoping someone that has had a good experience with their 2nd Gen can chime in on how they are finding their 3rd Gen.

Thank you!

 

We have owned all 3 Gens of the RDX. The only minor complaints I have with the move from 2G to 3G is the car has more engine and road noise. That is also very debated by some on this forum. The I4 Turbo feels a bit raspy and rough, but it is isolated fairly well other than noise under acceleration. Other than that it is a solid upgrade the tech is good, although needs a few tweaks over time. The ride is more refined and smooth. The I4 Turbo while noisy does bring the torque on nice and early without any perceivable turbo lag. The ELS 3D is a noticeable improvement in sound quality and the seats are a large jump in comfort. The 2G needed more gears in the tranny and the new 10AT is excellent (although some say it is jerky I have not found that to be). There is a little less room on the back cargo area than the 2G, but nothing major. What is annoying is the optional cargo cover as in its stored position it intrudes into the space too much, but that is a minor complaint. I like Conti tires, but the stock RDX ones I am not a fan of as I believe the majority of road noise is coming form the tires.And while the Advance supposedly has more noise isolation it needs more, particularly in rear wheel wells and under body as again I think that is where most of the noise is coming from. My wife loves the new RDX, it looks good, drives good and is all around a great car for the money.

 

 

I went from a 2017 AWD Advance to the 2019 FWD Advance. For the most part I love the 2019 and it is a huge upgrade. There are some things I think Acura could of done differently or better. I have a bunch of videos on my Youtube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClw...L7GC61dOvszBng

 

 

 

I love when actual car owners post there input on YouTube. You get the real truthful view and you always learn new things. Keep up the great work man!

 

I went from 17 RDX Advance to 19 A-Spec RDX. I love the new car, light years better than the 17. Sure, there are a few minor bugs with the electronics, nothing major, and hopefully they'll be fixed with a future update, but on the whole - I would NEVER go back. The 19 is one of the best cars I've ever owned, and I've owned a LOT of new cars (I'm old)

 

I owned (3) 2nd Gen. RDX's. My wife and I loved them all. Only 2 issues with all 3. Had one shock leaking, replaced under warranty. And, had a sun visor "spring steel" that controls the movement up and down went bad...replaced
under warranty. I currently own a '19 RDX, A-Spec....with conversion from 20" to 19" wheels and tires.

I always said, when owning and driving the Gen 2's, that I thought the 3.5 V6, a Honda Motor Corp "staple"....was a great engine, very quick and great gas mileage. The new turbo 4 can't quite achieve the same mileage I got in any of
my Gen 2's. I never had an issue with the 6-speed trans, which I thought was great. It was all geared very well, and would truly "leap" off the starting line and I surprised many German made SUV's in the same category.

One person here mentioned they have owned all 3 generations and many new cars...and that he was "old." Well, so have I, and I'm older! LOL! Over 35 new cars and 67 vehicles in my life time. My dealer, which is one of the top
Acura dealers in the country....proved by their monthly sales #'s of the new RDX's.....has used my analysis of the '19 vs the Gen 2's. I wrote a "formal" analysis and sent it to my GM who asked me to do it. He thought it was great, and
he concurred on many of my thoughts. He used my analysis to pass on to his "dealer buddies" and other's in the industry.

Yes, the seats are better in the '19. But, I never truly complained about the Gen 2 seats. Yes, there are more "things" in the '19...and some are over done and too much tech. The actual "Owner's Manual" is right at 600 pages long, and
that doesn't include the Nav. manual...which is well over 300 pages long. LOTS of stuff in there....amazing....and makes our cars more costly and more "stuff" to go wrong. So far we have approx. 1,700 miles on our '19. No issues, but,
as I mentioned earlier, our in town only driving fuel mileage has not matched the higher MPG of our Gen 2's. I knew early on that this "high strung" turbo 4 with 272 HP would NOT get great mileage. These type engines with this kind
of power just don't. Yes, IF the HP is much lower on a 2.0L turbo, the fuel mileage is much better. I've seen that in other manufacturers vehicles. Drop down to around 230 hp and the mileage is pretty decent.

Now, taking a look back....I must say, yes, the '19 is "cool" and neat...whatever....has some things that are "better".....but, overall, I'd take a Gen 2, 2018 Advance just as quickly, if not more so than the '19. Just my overall "gut feeling"
of having the luxury of (3) Gen 2's owned.
As has been said here, the 3.5 V6's were linear, quiet, smooth, strong, and again, achieved great fuel mileage for their size. We always got 22-23 mpg in town, and always well over 30 mpg on the highway. I never had any issues with
the engine or trans and we just truly liked them.

I have read more than one "auto magazine writer" make comments such as...."the archaic V6 and 6-speed trans are gone"....etc, etc. Well, those "so called experts".....don't know what the hell they are talking about. Did they own (3)
Gen 2's like I have?......NO....so they don't have "experience" to be able to fairly compare and judge. Those of us who have owned 2 or more do have that. I know some of those folks won't agree with how I feel, but, the question
was asked and I thought I should "chime in" since I do have experience with the Gen 2's and now own a '19 A-Spec version. Do I think I should have kept my super low mileage '17 RDX, Tech?....Yes, especially since now we have
decided to get a '19 MDX Advance in Jan. 2019. Yes, the '19 RDX will be traded in. I know...kinda crazy....but, that's what some "car guys do"....make dumb moves when they shouldn't have...like "jumping all over the '19"....due to
getting caught up in the "hype" of the soon to arrive '19 RDX.

By the way, I went to 19's so I could put the Acura "spare tire kit" on my RDX plus I just don't like 20's. I went with TLX, optional Black Diamond Cut wheels and put on the tires of my choice, with the correct sizing.....of course...not my first rodeo....so that the
circumference is exactly the same as the 20's. No "rocket science" figuring that out. So, now I have at least a "doughnut spare" vs the pump and sealant "machine" that comes with the A-Spec....or 2wd models.
I did the same with my TLX, A-Spec....it has 19's....but, came with the pump kit. I ordered the "spare tire kit" for it. Some flat tire issues are always "fixable" with a pump and sealant. Those were a terrible idea...IMHO.

I will give Acura credit for making the new turbo engine and 10 speed trans a great "pairing" so that this turbo really doesn't have any lag....almost none. The trans is smooth and shifts FAST....drive it in "D"...not "S" and nail the throttle
from a start. That trans rips off those shifts really fast and this RDX is darn quick off the line. I drive it in "D" most of the time. When in "S" the trans likes to "hang up" in a higher gear when "rodding" around town. When in "D" it doesn't
have that issue...it just shifts down to what is needed or upshifts quickly as needed. Just passing along this issue for those that haven't really "tried this eng/trans combo" the way this "old school" hot rodder-street racer has. LOL!!

Final comment....do I think the '19 RDX is a great SUV...yes, I do. But, I could just have easily stayed with the Gen. 2 RDX....and that feeling was BEFORE we decided to get the MDX. The Gen 2 RDX was and is a great SUV for the
money especially.

 

I have not owned nearly as many cars as you, but I have owned over a dozen Acura products and my wife has owned every gen RDX. Overall I agree the 19 RDX is a great car, but something about the Gen 2 V6 just like the V6 in my ASPEC TLX they are just that damn good and buttery smooth. The 10AT int he RDX is great and I only wish my TLX had it. While the 19 RDX on paper is a far better car, like you I felt the Gen 2 RDX was a solid great car as well, just a bit bland in styling and lacking some gears.

 

Well, owning so many cars does not speak for all things. But, it does give "this car guy" a decent amount of background to draw from. And yes, I've spent a ton to be able to "play cars!" But, I don't blow my $$ on anything else, and
I'm not taking it to my grave. LOL! I have owned 6 Acura's and over a dozen Honda badged products....many Accord Coupes with the 3.5 V6. Not a bad one in any of them. Generally, with Honda Motor Corp vehicles you get great quality and a solid vehicle for the $$ spent. Yes, I've owned many other vehicles from other manufacturers. Lessons learned! LOL!! My Toyota Supras were pretty darn good though!

I can't say IF the new 10 speed would be a "bigger deal" in the TLX....but, again, since they did "work the 9 speed over" I feel they are a decent trans. Much better than the early ones. But, that 3.5 V6 is great and I enjoy driving
it. As all the other's with the 3.5 since they are pretty much the same....some tweaks here and there depending on the vehicle the engine is in. I just prefer my 290 hp V6 over the new turbo 4. As good as the 2.0 is...it's just not
that much better than the V6...for me to salivate over it and have to have it. I was wary of it before I got my hands on one. The turbo 4 with the 10 speed did surprise me....so, I bought one 'cause I'm a car guy and always want the
new "best thing" out there....but, again, in hindsight I realized just how much I liked the Gen 2's.

I drove the '19 MDX Advance. Same engine as in my TLX....strong, smooth, and has the 9 speed and it shifts great. The MDX is quiet, rides great, handles very well, and doesn't weigh much more than the RDX A-Spec. Under 200 lbs. more. I thought it was heavier...but, nope, it's not. It makes for a great platform for traveling around the country. For me...much better...overall, than the '19 RDX. And, I'll get just about the same fuel mileage.

 

In my bolded and underlined sentence above I wrote that incorrectly. I meant to say..."THE PUMP AND SEALANT KIT IS NOT ABLE TO FIX ALL TYPES OF FLAT TIRE ISSUES!" That's why I prefer having a spare.

 

Having owned a 15 TLX and now 19 while the 9AT ZF is much improved it is still a dog compared to any other tranny I have owned or driven.I do feel very confident that the 10AT woudl have been an improvement in quicker shits and less laggy response out of the tranny. I am OK with the 19 ZF, but it is obvious to me all the time that it laggy.

 

Since you are going to take a big hit, why not hold onto your 3G RDX for another year or two and by then the 4G MDX would have been available. If this RDX is any indicator, the next gen MDX is going to be incredible.

 

Honestly, I don't think I will take such a "big hit" by trading in a very popular RDX.....A-Spec seems to be a huge hit, and I did some things to it that make it desirable...and, it will have super low mileage in the month of Jan.

And, we don't want to wait that long to do what we've decided....at least as of today! LOL! We plan to travel some this coming year and I've always wanted to do that in an MDX. I know...I jumped the gun in buying this RDX. I should
have kept the '17 RDX Tech/Nav with about 5k miles and traded that one in....but, I took my eye off the ball concerning wanting an MDX to travel with. My bad!

And, I don't want to "chance" what they'll do to the next Gen of the MDX. I'm concerned they will put maybe a 2+ liter turbo in it....heck, or even the Civic Type R engine! NO THANK YOU! I like the current '19 MDX as it fits our
needs just right....the Advance model. And, when the time comes and they don't mess up the eng/trans on the next Gen. MDX then I can always trade for it a year after they are out. Car guys never quit! LOL! I don't keep vehicles
too long...but, this upcoming deal is not my norm. Usually drive them about 2 yrs....sometimes 3 rarely.

 

Good point, it might not be as big of a hit as I'm thinking honestly. I'm always a strong supporter of "do what makes you happy" and when it comes to cars I'm like you, I switch out cars like clothes. I just love to keep switching up and you know life is so short, it's too damn short to be stuck driving something you hate for so long. So trade it in and don't look back. I actually also suspect the MDX is going to get some shitty 2.0T (not that I don't like turbo fours, just not in something the size of an MDX) like the base Q7. But I suspect that it will also offer a nice 3.0T as well.

 

Wow...by the looks of it, you must be easily a millionaire trading off over 60 cars in the first few years of ownership... . Anyway congratulations on your new RDX and the upcoming MDX.

BTW, I completely agree with one thing you said somewhere before, that the 2G RDX is a very comfortable car, feels relaxed, quiet and yet powerful without being stressed, and my butt loves it's seats.
Among the three cars which I currently have (Mercedes E class, a fully loaded Chrysler Pacifica -limited, and the RDX; all bought new), guess which is my favorite. The RDX is the least expensive of the bunch and feels the most luxurious for me. I don't care what anyone else says about cars (including auto journalists), or what features it lacks, if it feels good for me to drive it, that is what I believe in, and I feel completely at home with my 2G RDX.

 

That is all that matters. I have my opinions on the 2G just like any other car, but that doesn't matter whatsoever. We all have opinions and what we personally feel is all that matters in the end.

 

me 2013 to 2019

 

LOL...hey Comfy...not a millionaire...yet...but, will be soon enough...then I will go really crazy with cars...well, not Jay Leno crazy! No...I tend to buy cars that are within my budget...and just traded often. Even with more disposable
funds I will not pay more than approx. $75K for a vehicle. Unless....MAYBE I run across an Aston Martin Vantage V8....that they don't make any longer...and used ones with super low miles are climbing past the $100K mark.
Even the older NSX's, which I LOVE....are now over $100K for an all original, low, low miles car. So, they are going to "price me out" of my comfort zone it looks like.

The new, to come out next year, Mustang GT500 will be something I'll be looking at. Also, a Roush Mustang..Stage 2 or maybe Stage 3. Fun cars....that won't break my bank and would be great fun. I love V8's...but, prefer naturally
aspirated ones....and yes the GT500 would be a supercharged 750 hp "fun car"....but, maybe too much of a beast. I had so much fun with 300 hp Mustangs....so, it's all about the overall driving experience..ALL aspects of it.

So, to all who commented and those that didn't....the Gen 2 RDX's were just a great value and high quality SUV for the money. I've ALWAYS said....there are NO perfect vehicles made. I can find "fault" with any of them. They all
have short comings, but, I try to buy those that have the least. The Gen 2's had some "issues".....ride, noise were the 2 biggest for us. My wife LOVED all 3 of ours. Hey....happy wife....happy life as they say. I'm lucky that she
loves to play cars like I do. As long as we can afford it, I can buy any "play car" I want. And most of the time she likes them too.

I'm now "on the fence" on which MDX I want....the new A-Spec version or the Advance. I've driven the Advance....now I'll spend some time, soon, with the A-Spec. It appears that Acura didn't stiffen the A-Spec like they did the
RDX version. I haven't found anything yet from Acura that clearly states that they did. Only suspension "story" that is new for the Advance is the adjustable dampers in the Comfort Mode....just like the RDX Advance.

 

 

 

 

I live in NY, but have been driving in Florida a lot. I really see no use of SH-AWD in most of Florida. Maybe if you want to nail it on a cloverleaf entrance to a highway, but not much else. To me, the Advance was not worth it, but that is a personal preference. I am retired and not so busy as to have to juggle kids and shopping, so the kick-open tailgate would be nice, but not needed. I found the seats totally acceptable, and I did not need the thigh extension and did not use the movable seat wings when I had it in my 535; if it had that car's upper back articulation, that might have made the difference. The Advance sound system is better, but I am very pleased with the one in the Tech and am not a real audiophile. The ride meets my needs, and I did not think the adaptive suspension was going to do much for the way I drive, which is mostly in Comfort. The HUD would be cool, but not having been used to one, it is something I can continue to put off.

So, the Advance just missed being worth it to me. Strange as it seems, if it had folding mirrors activated by the driver, I would have gone for the Advance. I always folded the mirrors when I drove my 535 into my garage and would have liked to be able to do that with the RDX.

 

 

Most likely a cost factor and trying to keep the MSRP under $50K in the U.S. That's a mental hurdle for a lot of people to get over, being as how it's a nice even number, and would potentially keep them from even looking at the vehicle when shopping. Not as much of an issue in Canada because currency valuation differences had already pushed the price beyond that point.

There's a few other things available only in Canada - headlight washers and heated windshield are two the come immediately to mind.

 

100% agree. 50k is a magical number. Acura has not forgotten it's "value" despite the return to precision crafted performance....

 

The RDX offers a heated windshield in Canada? I knew the MDX did but really the RDX too? That is so cool!!!

 

I can't speak from first hand experience but I believe I read that somewhere. Just found it, page 200 of the owner's manual -Canadian models only.

 

There was no mention of this feature on Acura Canada's website. I also just checked the 2019 MDX specs and they used to mention the heated windshield on one of the trims but now no longer mention it either.

So is this available on the base models and up or only the top end model like the MDX was? This is a great feature (had it on my 2009 VW Touareg) but I hated when the sun would hit the windshield at this perfect angle causing the grid lines to reflect and making the windshield look super dirty. Not to mention cracked windshields are very common here (to the point that some of us change our windshields annually or bi-annually) on account of rocks they put down in the winter and heated windshields tend to cost a pretty coin.