DJA123

I took the thing home two months ago and I'm showing a bit over 700mi -- 130 of which were transfer miles in a dealer trade. So I think I like it 🤔. I've had only a few normal days of ownership and that's not a lot of basis for a final decision. One of the longest drives was after washing when I drove around a half hour to, you know, dry the brakes.

Cuzz

So after 6 months and 11,000 miles in my 2020 RDX Advance SH-AWD, I decided to review it (again) against all the other SUVs I was looking at to replace my 2011 Subaru Outback. It was a long list:
Audi Q3/Q5,
BMW X1/X3,
Honda CRV/Passport
Lexus NX300/RX350
Mazda CX5/CX9
Merceces GLC
Subaru Outback/Ascent
Toyota RAV4
Volvo V60/XC40/XC60

At the end of it all, if something were to happen to my RDX and I needed to replace it this week, I would buy the exact same model I am currently driving. So, while it may not be perfect, I still prefer it to any of the vehicles above and would buy it again in a second. The only suv I would look a bit harder at is the Mazda CX-5. I really wanted to like it, but it just wasn't as comfortable to sit in, and felt too small.

I really do love my RDX, and look forward to every day I get to drive it.

DJA123

Except for a few considerations that had a CVT transmission, we overlap in most ways. If Mazda still had a CX-7 sized model, that might have been just about a tie at the end. (The V60 was close too, but historic reliability was a hole too deep)

I just read a short article about the structural strength of the RDX and I'm even more pleased with my final choice.

anoop

Alex on Autos top 3 picks in this segment are RDX, GLC, and XC60. The 2020 GLC knocked the Stelvio out which was his previous choice for a fun SUV. The RDX is the value pick.

Madd Dog

I’m not the kind of guy who looks back on prior decisions.

My best alternative, the X3, did not have available the driving aids I wanted, so I never did the cost/difference analysis. There were no X3s with the driving aids, the BMW boards said they were in a supply problem, and I would have had to order a new X3 in the middle of model changeover. So no dice.

When I saw what the prices would be for the available competition fitted out the way I wanted it, the decision was made.

Threeturbo

With me, it came down to XC60 or RDX. Different cars but both nice. The XC60 we were considering was about 10K more than RDX, but you can always justify that somehow. The sticking point was the XC60s imported here were assembled in China. That was to change in 2020 but I didn't want to wait. I could not see sending tens of thousands more to China. We have been happy with our choice.

Madd Dog

I get that.

And this has nothing to do with the virus, but I have worked hard on trying to avoid things made in China. My New Balance sneakers are made in America, my Lands End polo shirts are made in Peru, I think, or that other skinny country down there. I absolutely won’t buy any food that comes from anywhere in Asia. When I shop, I always look at the labels. If China is shown, I always look for an alternative if possible. It is not always possible, but I do try.

When it comes to food, I have a hard ‘no’ against all of Asia. I would trust Japan, but have never seen food from there.

And all of this is well before the virus.

Threeturbo

Yes, our RDX purchase was made long before the virus was a thing. BTW, your discipline of trying to avoid Chinese products is commendable. We should all do better in that area. (Sorry for carrying this further off course.)

lacayoj

I love mine. I've had it for over 2 months and only driven it 200 kms because of the Covid quarantine were I live (Panama). I'm coming from an Audi S8, so I miss the torque and speed, but everytime something broke on the Audi it cost THOUSANDS, so Im pretty happy to have a car I would consider to be very reliable. The dealership is good as well, unfortunately it hasnt received the latest headunit update so I don't have Android auto or Apple Car Play.

Funz51

AA and AP are over air downloads.

JB in AZ

The downloads may not be available where the OP lives, Panama.

acuraada

What's the main driver for not buying China? This is a reoccurring theme here in America.

I recall in the '80s we had a Made in America campaign, That quickly went away with "$5 everything" at Walmart... and certainly didn't held up in the auto industry. But really the main reason is that none of that make any economic sense at the macro or micro level.

Acure4RDX

The Times They are A changin

Madd Dog

For me, I don’t trust the cleanliness of food coming out of Asia at all. That is food.

For other things, if I can buy American, I do. We bought a washer/dryer this year. We could have bought anything, but Whirlpool is made in America, so we went with that. American jobs, American taxpayers, American families helped.

Both of my Japanese branded cars are assembled in America. It would take quite a bit to send all that money over to China.

China is not a friend and ally. To me, they are not an enemy, but they are still not allies.

acuraada

Your Whirlpool might be assembled here in the US but I'm pretty sure all the parts are came from China, otherwise you probably couldn't afford it.

That glass on our Acura is probably made by a Chinese vendor, maybe produced here in the US, never the less by a Chinese owned company. (This includes Ford, GM....)

China's got a chip on it's shoulder. The rest of the world took advantage of it's cheap land, taxes and labor. China ate all of that up for the money and sacrificed its own environment in doing so.

When there is a demand for cheap goods, supply will find it's way. Check out a book call "A Year Without Made in China." Really gives you a board perspective.

Madd Dog

I don’t doubt what you say, but I do what I can. I understand that much of the money I spend on my Acura works its way back to Japan, but being assembled in America means jobs here. So if I can help that with a little effort and (maybe) some extra dollars, I do.

And I am not a MAGA person at all.

JB in AZ

I am extremely happy with my '19 Advance. 16 months and over 18,000 miles, later, I would definitely buy it again, without hesitation, considering the price point, and the competition available at this time. I got used to the touch pad very easily, but now, there is a small part of me that thinks Acura blew it with the touch pad. I realize many of the competition also have varying (non-touchscreen) means to control the infotainment, but Acura's contention that it was done to help keep eyes on the road is just lame. Give me a touch pad next time, please...it is just easier and much more intuitive to use...especially when the touch pad works differently with AA or Car Play. Speaking of AA, I still have some occasional initial connection issues. See my post in the AA thread. Android Auto

As others have said, the large chrome drive mode selector knob is overdone. A simple steering wheel button, or console button would have been fine, cleaning up some more "top of console" space for, perhaps, a wireless charging pad. My wife's new 2020 CR-V Touring has this...

acuraada

I'm over the large chrome drive mode knob by now. I think it's their signature look like the BMW orange, Lexus's analog clock, MB's jet like round vents, etc. If we were in a Lexus or Infiniti forum, someone would be complaining about the analog clocks too.

JB in AZ

Excellent points! Signature look...ok, so when we see the next redesigned Acura, presumably the MDX, we'll likely see the chrome drive mode knob and a touch pad. As I said, if I had to buy a replacement for my RDX today, I would buy it again without hesitation. (no pun intended for the folks who are experiencing a hesitation on acceleration from a near stop)

Mark-RDX

I am thrilled. Any issues have been all around operator error! My only complaint is that the front lower scoop that is gray, is paint on plastic. So it is chipped up already from salt and cinders from driving this past winter. That should not happen on a car at this price point.

Acurafangrl

A little over 1 mo in, and I love my rdx. My FM radio completely froze on me once and refused to play no matter what I did. Shrugged it off, had to park the car and get out anyway, and when I came back later that night I was able to turn it back on without issues. The car also forgot memory settings for the driver seat once-had to reprogram it (not sure what that was about). Other than that, I've had no issues and am really enjoying the car

Mark-RDX

It is really hard to consume without buying whole or in part Chinese products. I do the best I can. The saddest part is the American people have no idea the people in China are tortured and persecuted for their beliefs not in alignment with the leadership. God help them all.

Mark-RDX

I sold my Element when I bought my RDX. It really is a great car!

DJA123

Mine just forgot me yesterday for one start. The next start and it remembered me. Those transient events don't bother me much since every other piece of tech I have goes wonky from time to time. That's just the deal. I'm driving more these days -- probably like most people -- and liking it more as I do.