Hello,

I have a 21' Aspec, and was just wondering if anyone with the same model year has noticed a difference between Comfort and Sport mode? I have been playing around with the modes, and the only one that I can really tell a difference with is Sport +.

Also, will fuel economy be worse with driving the RDX in Sport mode all of the time vs. Comfort?

Thanks!

 

For comparison, I have a 2022, and the suspension is very different in all modes, as is steering and throttle response. Enough so that I am annoyed by it and glad to replace it with a car that does not have all these modes. I'd prefer just a well tuned suspension that does not NEED multiple modes to be compliant when it should be, and firm when it should be. A perfect example of this was early 2000's BMW M cars.

 

[QUOTE=Unobtanium;16833768]For comparison, I have a 2022, and the suspension is very different in all modes, as is steering and throttle response. Enough so that I am annoyed by it and glad to replace it with a car that does not have all these modes. I'd prefer just a well tuned suspension that does not NEED multiple modes to be compliant when it should be, and firm when it should be. A perfect example of this was early 2000's BMW M cars.[/QUOTE

Agree.

Acura is nowhere close to playing at BMW levels of engineering.

 

Or price, esp. the M models.

 

Wow really? I feel like the Normal mode is the perfect sweet spot in my 22 ASpec-Advance.

Don’t most cars have driving modes these days?

 

You get what you pay for...

 

In the 2019-2021 models that don't have adaptive dampers (like yours) the difference between Comfort and Sport are pretty minor - in daily driving conditions I barely notice. In the 2022+ model there is a much larger difference - similar to what they did with the TLX. Those with adaptive dampers also have more of a diff between Comfort and Sport.

Fuel economy wise I see no difference in my 2019.

 

For me in a 2022 Advance

Normal = 80% of my driving. It feels "just right" almost all the time
Sport = Occasionally when I just feel like driving aggressive or just in the mood to play around
Comfort = Long highway road trips, or if its late and I'm tired.

 

21 Aspec (no adaptive suspension in this years Aspec model). Firm ride is what you get 100% of the time.

- Modes are very similar with a twist. IMO - cut out the sport+ mode, useless in a SUV this size.

Comfort - lighter steering, upshifts smoother and gets into high gear quicker.
Sport = slightly heaver steering, more solid shifts and waits to get into high gear.
Sport+ = Basically same as sport, but you need to use the paddles to shift. Won't go into high gear unless you make it. Make the little 4 turbo stay higher in the rev range - which produces not so nice noise.
Snow mode = Starts out in 2nd gear, very gentle throttle mapping, steering same as comfort and SHawd splits it 50/50 from the start.
****Snow mode is amazing in deep snow, the Acura become a tractor even with the stock Goodyear tires. Got me up steep hills in 10" of snow without any issues.

Then there is the "sport mode" on the Drive selector - push it after you engage drive, and SPORT shows up on your dash. Basically similar to SPORT +.

 

IIRC 2019-2021 vs 2022 adaptive suspension settings

Comfort = Comfort,

Sport = Normal,

Sport+ = Sport

I prefer to drive my '21 ADV in sport, in comfort it feels way too floaty.

 

We would not have bought any RDX model without adaptive shocks, driving a new one with those shocks and the improved sound insulation cinched the deal, we have some really horrible roads here and the car is in Comfort then to soak up the potholes and save the wheels, hopefully. Normal gets used the rest of the time. Sport once in a while for kicks. The car is not especially quiet, but it is WAY better than the two earlier test cars we drove.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

My Mazda did. I found it stupid. The Acura drive modes on the other hand are meaningful. I drive in Normal typically, but my driveway, I take in Comfort mode, and the corners, I bump to Sport mode. I'd rather just a well sorted conventional suspension honestly.

 

In my 2020 Platinum Elite (AKA Canadian version of Advanced) -->

Comfort is MUCH more aggressive than Comfort mode on the 2022+ (I had a loaner ASpec Elite for a week). The suspension is compliant and throttle just right, especially if the car is empty and it's just me.

Sport firms up the suspension a reasonable amount but keeps it fairly compliant and it's useful when I want a bit more easy throttle response and sharper handling.

Sport+ is useful in real world driving when you go to places like Quebec and drive on rural mountainous windy roads with 90 km/h speed limits and UPS vans tailgating you unless you go 110... It really does make a huge difference in how controllable the car is in more advanced driving scenarios like that.

And finally, most people forget about S mode on the transmission. It makes a huge difference not only in the shift points (and holding of gears if shifting manually) but also holds gears better when you are coasting down hills off throttle.

Snow mode deserves an honorable mention for sapping enough torque to avoid wheelspin in all sorts of winter weather without making the car too slow when you want to accelerate.

It's almost too much for some people I'm sure, but very useful if used in their places.

 

Yeah I didn't realize this mode until playing around. Essentially you can put the car is Sport mode then click the "D" icon on the shifter to go to S mode. You don't need to use the manual shifters in this mode in the MY22, but I think it limits the gearbox to 8th gear instead of going to 10th gear.