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I gave up a great 2009 TL to lease a 2016 BMW 435i, then ultimately came back to Acura with the 2019 RDX Advance when the lease ended. Though I loved the iDrive system, those enormous brakes, and of course the snob appeal, the BMW proved horrifically uncomfortable; especially for someone tall like myself. The rock-hard (and to my disappointment non-adaptive) M-Sport suspension gave me chronic neck pain for at least the first two years I had it. What should have been a fun car to drive every day was often torture, and of course they wouldn't do anything to fix it.
Though still not quite on par with the Europeans in several areas, Acura has come a long way with this new generation. They already have a leg up on BMW in one area; part of what makes a car luxurious is that the ride is comfortable!
I gave up a great 2009 TL to lease a 2016 BMW 435i, then ultimately came back to Acura with the 2019 RDX Advance when the lease ended. Though I loved the iDrive system, those enormous brakes, and of course the snob appeal, the BMW proved horrifically uncomfortable; especially for someone tall like myself. The rock-hard (and to my disappointment non-adaptive) M-Sport suspension gave me chronic neck pain for at least the first two years I had it. What should have been a fun car to drive every day was often torture, and of course they wouldn't do anything to fix it.
Though still not quite on par with the Europeans in several areas, Acura has come a long way with this new generation. They already have a leg up on BMW in one area; part of what makes a car luxurious is that the ride is comfortable!
I used to have a 90 Legend L I loved it. To be honest I like that car better than the RDX. I have never heard anyone complain about the BMW being uncomfortable until now. I drive a X% I can say it's very sloppy in the suspension versus the RDX..
The RDX has a tighter ( more sporty ) suspension and does not sway like the X5.
The BMW SUV's are very different ride-wise from their coupes and sedans. If I recall, the current X5 and X7 models also have self-leveling air suspension. In the 435i coupe, I could drive through a crosswalk and literally feel where the paint lines on the ground were. BMW also insists you have run-flat tires, which generally destroy the ride quality and increase the un-sprung weight. Even the 5-series sedan wasn't much smoother.
I had looked at the new 530e hybrid sedan model before choosing the RDX and the BMW seats were too narrow; I'm pretty lean but my legs were resting entirely on the bolsters.
The BMW SUV's are very different ride-wise from their coupes and sedans. If I recall, the current X5 and X7 models also have self-leveling air suspension. In the 435i coupe, I could drive through a crosswalk and literally feel where the paint lines on the ground were. BMW also insists you have run-flat tires, which generally destroy the ride quality and increase the un-sprung weight. Even the 5-series sedan wasn't much smoother.
I had looked at the new 530e hybrid sedan model before choosing the RDX and the BMW seats were too narrow; I'm pretty lean but my legs were resting entirely on the bolsters.
Wow. I was not a fan of the sway in the X5. I like a tight suspension like the RDX and my old 90 Legend L had.
The 90's-era Legend was considered by critics to have the best handling of all the Japanese luxury sedans of the day. The RL and RLX never lived up to that; the first RL looked too much like the Mercedes E-class, and the consistently dated interior tech didn't help.
The 90's-era Legend was considered by critics to have the best handling of all the Japanese luxury sedans of the day. The RL and RLX never lived up to that; the first RL looked too much like the Mercedes E-class, and the consistently dated interior tech didn't help.
I can say my Legend drove like a go cart I loved it. Handling was fantastic around curves and the front wheel drive just pulled you around the curves.
With original the paint, It was never had been in an accident. I replaced the 2 cv drive shafts, Ignition switch that's all.
I hope this RDX will live up to that.
My 2020 SH-AWD A Spec RDX is the replacement for my 2016 AWD Advance RDX. Both were white - with the 2016 having the parchment interior and the 2020 having the all black interior. They both have lived side by side to the wife's 2016 ILX A-Spec in, you guessed it, white exterior/black interior. The 2016 was a beast, and I put a ton of freeway miles on it for my last job, and traded it in with 76k and on the clock. The biggest reasons to upgrade to the new RDX was the moon roof, the black interior and the updated styling. This is the family's 11th Honda product (not all of them were white!). Needless to say, we're Honda people.
It’s becoming my new daily driver after just over 2 years in a 2018 Accord Touring 2.0T, this car’s close cousin. My wife’s taking the Accord and her old 2010 Mazda3 2.5 5AT is on its way to auction for charity.
The 2010 Mazda3, even in AT, is a blast to drive. I’ve had it shod Conti DW rubber for years and it’s a blast to drive around corners. It’s the last of its kind from a handling perspective (hydraulic assist steering). It was the first car my wife ever bought for herself and I’m going to miss that thing.
It’s becoming my new daily driver after just over 2 years in a 2018 Accord Touring 2.0T, this car’s close cousin. My wife’s taking the Accord and her old 2010 Mazda3 2.5 5AT is on its way to auction for charity.
The 2010 Mazda3, even in AT, is a blast to drive. I’ve had it shod Conti DW rubber for years and it’s a blast to drive around corners. It’s the last of its kind from a handling perspective (hydraulic assist steering). It was the first car my wife ever bought for herself and I’m going to miss that thing.
I must agree with what you heard based on my ownership of a 2019 MX-5 and 2020 CX-5.
My Nephew had a 2019 CX-5 I drove it it was a blast to drive. Did anyone see the Mazda Japan factory production video on your tube? Wow was I totally impressed car looks like it's 90 percent built by robots.
Mazdas aren’t the fastest, but they always handle with aplomb. It’s disappointing that the new 3 downgraded the rear suspension, but the rest of their lineup is solid.
Keep an eye out for the next gen Mazda6 w/ RWD-based AWD and a turbo inline-6. It will be a genuine TLX competitor, not Accord. Same with a CX5 or CX9 with an RWD drivetrain. Mazda knows where they are going, and want have models in wide price ranges, like Ford. For example, you can get a Ford Explorer for under $40k and you can get one for almost double that. It starts off priced against Pilots and Highlanders and the high models are priced against Infiniti and Acura and Genesis and the like.
Mazdas aren’t the fastest, but they always handle with aplomb. It’s disappointing that the new 3 downgraded the rear suspension, but the rest of their lineup is solid.
Keep an eye out for the next gen Mazda6 w/ RWD-based AWD and a turbo inline-6. It will be a genuine TLX competitor, not Accord. Same with a CX5 or CX9 with an RWD drivetrain. Mazda knows where they are going, and want have models in wide price ranges, like Ford. For example, you can get a Ford Explorer for under $40k and you can get one for almost double that. It starts off priced against Pilots and Highlanders and the high models are priced against Infiniti and Acura and Genesis and the like.
Mazda just dropped their 2.5T into the 3. 320 lb-ft of torque in a Honda Civic competitor!
In the 6, the 2.5T engine overwhelms the front tires even worse than the Accord 2.0T. In the 3, the 2.5T comes with AWD. In the CX-9, this engine is "adequate". It makes the CX-5 the second-quickest SUV on the market - slightly faster than the RDX, but slightly slower than the Escape 2.0T.
I wish we bought the cx5 turbo. the handling and road feel alone make it superior. Add the torque of that motor...
There's still time!
I'm a little over two months and 2,500 miles in with my '20 CX-5 Signature and I'm happy to report that I haven't been able to find a single mechanical or cosmetic defect. By this time in my '19 RDX Advance, I was already planning my exit strategy. It's refreshing because I haven't been this pleased with a new automobile in years. I'm still a Honda/Acura enthusiast. I like keeping up with their products and sharing my knowledge of them, but I just can't own or recommend one after my experiences.
The CX-5 continues to remind me a lot of the RDX's better qualities including performance and handling.
Thankfully, I've never been more brand-agnostic than I am now.
I'm a little over two months and 2,500 miles in with my '20 CX-5 Signature and I'm happy to report that I haven't been able to find a single mechanical or cosmetic defect. By this time in my '19 RDX Advance, I was already planning my exit strategy. It's refreshing because I haven't been this pleased with a new automobile in years. I'm still a Honda/Acura enthusiast. I like keeping up with their products and sharing my knowledge of them, but I just can't own or recommend one after my experiences.
The CX-5 continues to remind me a lot of the RDX's better qualities including performance and handling.
Thankfully, I've never been more brand-agnostic than I am now.
You change cars quickly. Did get a Honda pickup immediately after the RDX or am I misremembering? If you did, do you still have it?
(OT, I know, since this is the thread where you tell us what you came from, not what you went to!)
You change cars quickly. Did get a Honda pickup immediately after the RDX or am I misremembering? If you did, do you still have it?
(OT, I know, since this is the thread where you tell us what you came from, not what you went to!)
Good memory! Yes, I change my primary vehicle about once per year. The problems I had with my '19 RDX paled in comparison to the problems I had with the '19 Ridgeline I traded it for which required a new transmission at 14,000 miles. After a run of 19 Honda automobiles and motorcycles over the years, I sold the last of my Honda motorcycles last week and traded the Ridgeline for a CX-5. I currently have two Mazda's - a '19 MX-5 and a '20 CX-5 that have been flawless.
Good memory! Yes, I change my primary vehicle about once per year. The problems I had with my '19 RDX paled in comparison to the problems I had with the '19 Ridgeline I traded it for which required a new transmission at 14,000 miles. After a run of 19 Honda automobiles and motorcycles over the years, I sold the last of my Honda motorcycles last week and traded the Ridgeline for a CX-5. I currently have two Mazda's - a '19 MX-5 and a '20 CX-5 that have been flawless.
Funny you should mention Mazda. I saw the build factory in Japan on youtube. Really awesome The car is mostly built by robots. I guess that is why there quality is so high.
I just read your article and Wow that is crap I think you should have got a lawyer and sued them. I can tell you I had a 90 Legend L and it was fantastic the car and the service with my 2019 RDX ASPec the car is ok not impressed that much and service that has gone out the door also. I feel like I take may car to ford which is crap in my option.
I will most likely not y another Acura or Honda because of this. The RDX is fast and thats all. NYC gas milage is now 9.4 with AC on. that is worse then my only 30 year old car. I have complained to Acura to take away one of the sport modes and give a eco mode they are tone def. I most likely will get a lawyer and sue them sine this is no where near 20 for city.
I do not dog my car nor drive in sport mode Comfort all the time.
I traded in my 2018 Audi Q5 Premium Plus for a new 2020 RDX Tech and so glad to be back in an Acura. I owned a 2013 RDX tech before the Q5.
Unfortunately my Q5 had the oil leak problem and a faulty driver seat frame that the dealer would never fix so I decided to dump it while it still had plenty of value left in it.
My 2023 A-spec Advance replaces a 2013 BMW X3 35i that required not one but three engines in its 108,000mi lifetime.
So happy to never have to hear the warning chime followed by "Drivetrain Malfunction" plastered across my infotainment screen again. My wife would have ridiculed me incessantly had I brought another BMW home.
My 2023 A-spec Advance replaces a 2013 BMW X3 35i that required not one but three engines in its 108,000mi lifetime.
So happy to never have to hear the warning chime followed by "Drivetrain Malfunction" plastered across my infotainment screen again. My wife would have ridiculed me incessantly had I brought another BMW home.
I compared the two and the interior styling of the Q5 was very, blah and bland. It drove ok but was slower and the AWD system was much more front biased.
I compared the two and the interior styling of the Q5 was very, blah and bland. It drove ok but was slower and the AWD system was much more front biased.
i had a supercharged V6 SQ5. I should have mentioned that. Regardless, the interior of mine was more tasteful with better materials. The SQ5 with a turbocharged V6 is certainly a lot quicker, and handled much better than my Acura. It would have cost about $6k more.
(Older ones were supercharged, new ones are turbocharged)
i had a supercharged V6 SQ5. I should have mentioned that. Regardless, the interior of mine was more tasteful with better materials. The SQ5 with a turbocharged V6 is certainly a lot quicker, and handled much better than my Acura. It would have cost about $6k more.
(Older ones were supercharged, new ones are turbocharged)
I like the SQ5! So that’s fair. My ‘21 CPO A-Spec was basically the top of what I was comfortable spending and similar used SQ5s were about 6-10k more.
I'm a little over two months and 2,500 miles in with my '20 CX-5 Signature and I'm happy to report that I haven't been able to find a single mechanical or cosmetic defect. By this time in my '19 RDX Advance, I was already planning my exit strategy. It's refreshing because I haven't been this pleased with a new automobile in years. I'm still a Honda/Acura enthusiast. I like keeping up with their products and sharing my knowledge of them, but I just can't own or recommend one after my experiences.
The CX-5 continues to remind me a lot of the RDX's better qualities including performance and handling.
Thankfully, I've never been more brand-agnostic than I am now.
We had a '18 CX-5 sig and while it was a nice value, there were a few things I could never get past: the infotainment was painfully slow to boot up and the camera was surprisingly low resolution and the seats never quite felt right to me. The bottom of the seat felt like it was 3" too short so it stopped supporting the back of my legs well before my knee (and I'm not a tall guy). It did handle similarly but I felt like the tires were too small / narrow for the car. At the end of the day, we purchased under a supplier pricing program and a couple years later basically traded it in for the same amount we paid, so can't really complain. Maybe they fixed some of those issues in the later years. We've got a 22 aspec advance now so sounds like our experiences are apples / oranges.
Went from a 2012 TL SH-AWD- Manual (which I sold for about 80% of what I paid for it 8 years ago ) to my 2023 Aspec Advance RDX.
This is the first automatic vehicle I have driven in almost 20 years. I do miss the manual a bit and the TL was a very different ride but I wanted an SUV and I thought the TL was starting to just look dated to me.
I love them both in different ways. The RDX IMO is a much sweeter looking ride and definitely has more uses and superior tech, but its not quite as fun to drive.
06-12-2020, 10:33 AM
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