If my research is correct, there is no factory remote starter on the RDX, even on Advance. You need to buy it as a dealer option. Is this true? I can't imagine a $50K premium brand top of the line trim not having something that a $25K cheaper Accord 1.5 Sport SE has.

 

It could be worse. The near $60k MDX A-Spec doesn't come standard with it either. You need to get the Advance for it to become Standard.

And looking at the Build page, I don't think you can get it as an optional extra on the TLX. WTF? Is that a glitch on the Acura website? I can't see them possibly not offering it ...

 

Our '20 CR-V Touring has remote start on the FOB.

 

My 2017 Honda CR-V Touring had remote start. I was surprised when I got the RDX and found out you had to subscribe to a fee based service (Acura Link) to get it.

 

Or pay the dealer to install which includes two new key FOBs

 

in all my research on the RDX, I somehow missed the lack of key fob remote start. Duh. If I had realized it, it would have been a “walk away” negotiating point. “This is a great deal, but if you add in remote start, I sign now.” I got a heated steering wheel on my ‘18 CR-V that way…

 

I should have negotiated it into my deal as well. I am currently using Acura Link, which works ok, but I'm not going to pay 300/year for it when the trial runs out.

Is anyone actually paying and using Acura Link? I am thinking a remote start with Drone service might be a better alternative.

 

Acura LInk should be free..............I wonder what the use of Acura Link really is ?????

Not sure what Acura was thinking on the remote start .............( maybe they weren’t thinking)..............

Maybe someone should create an APP ............to complete with Acura Link.


Remote level is 6 month trial free
$110 / year after trial

https://acuralink.acura.com/#/compat...2021&model=RDX

 

I wouldn't even want it in my car. Apparently they have to take a bunch of crapola apart because the receiver needs to go in the rear of the headliner or something? I have enough rattles in the car as it came from the factory ... I can only imagine the abomination this car would be if the dealer started ripping stuff apart.

 

Not sure about the install taking apart the interior. I discovered a link that stated the dealer install of the remote start connects to the shark fin antenna.

However, my dealer installation was perfect without any rattles or misaligned trim.

 

Kinda ridiculous that you have to pay extra for the remote start or subscribe to an app on a car that costs what the RDX does. My lowly XLT trim F150 came with both the remote start and a fee-less app.

That being said, I opted for the remote start and have had no problem rattling as a result.

 

Remote feature on Acuralink is $110 a year. I agree it should be free. But in my case, since my vehicles are garaged so I have no need to remote start at home, I prefer the app over the remote start on the fob. My other vehicle has it on the fob, and it's useless. I have to be within 100 feet, and by that time, what's the point? The RDX I can start while I'm still checking out at a store.

 

I have the remote package AcuraLink. I only use remote start occasionally but I like the idea of not having to be in line-of-sight and I've also used the locator a couple times.

And if the car is ever stolen, the locator will come in handy.

 

As I mentioned before, my CR-V Touring had the FOB remote start as standard equipment .But, as some have noted, the FOB based remote requires you to be close to the vehicle before it will work. That is worthless to many. Fact is not everyone cares about a remote start. While its a great feature to some, especially those in a climate where they want to get the car warm or cool before they get in, others never use it. We are all different in our wants and needs in a vehicle.My list of features that mean little to nothing to me include such things as panoramic moon roofs, Android Auto, remote starter, automatic fold in mirrors, and more. I am not the only person who feels this way. While I might use these things rarely they did not influence me to buy this car. I mean I did use the heated steering wheel twice and I did open the moon roof once just to see what it was like. I even ran Android Auto three times just to make sure I could use it if the need ever came up (it hasn't).
If a certain feature is a drop dead deal breaker for you, buy a car that has the bits and pieces you want and be done with it. There are no perfect cars (or anything in life for that matter) so you have to find the one that most suits your priorities.

 

Subscribe to a app sounds very familiar. The car companies have adopted subscription based services just like the all the digital software companies have been doing for years. Bad for the consumer and brilliant for the greedy.

 

Canadian version A-Spec up, comes with factory remote starter, all in one factory keyfob..

 

Nice, American’s are more gullible.

 

I paid around $100 for a year. It includes remote start and location feature. And in the winter I would ask Alexa to start my car, was pretty convenient. Takes a minute or so just like the app.

 

I will just add to this to read: you have to find the one that most suits your priorities at the time you are purchasing.
In my case, the RDX most suited my priorities at the time, now, I find, by accident, that my Corsair better fits my priorities.

 

"Canadians get remote start on their FOB"
Actually not. The way it works in the industry the car maker compiles a list of the most desirable features on the car. They use their marketing and sales network to do this. Every option costs money and they have to figure out how to best equip the car for the target market. Also, dealers want to have "add on's" to sell to increase their net profits. ( Believe it or not they actually have to make a profit on the car. Yes, they go crazy at times but profit keeps them in business).
Think about this for a moment.....who most uses a remote start? People in COLD climates who want to warm up the car. (yes and people in hot climates who want to cool it down to a lesser degree). Canada....COLD......most of USA....much less cold. They don't call it "The Great White North" for nothing.
Oh, and heated steering wheels are much more common in Canada also.... maybe there is a link here????

 

Sorry, no cigar for you. People in hot and humid climates like having the interior of the car cooled down before getting in as well.

 

Like it or not……..this is the real answer. There’s a list …….the cost is calculated down to the nickel. Also what the competitive models have also plays a part in the decision. That’s where the Touring CRV gets loaded up.

I am surprised the lack rain sensing wipers and the foot tail gate switch on the lower models don’t generate more comments. My wife who is NOT a tech geek……said she missed her auto wipers. But never used the foot switch tail gate. Auto high beams is a cost add on ……that people in the city never realize they have.

Ridgeline guys really get pissed that Canada models get higher content…….but……..Canada pricing is crazy high compared to the US market.

Have to say I only use the remote start on near zero degree days at the ski hill or snow days when at a hotel during the morning start.

 

R

 

Gee.....I mentioned that in my post...maybe you missed that.

OH, and for the record...I get a big fat cigar the first day of every month....a little reward for my decades of good work in the field.

Fun fact: When at GM working on a new engine roll out I noted a listing for a factory oil cooler on certain higher performance models. It was shown as "Standard equipment" on certain vehicles but not others made for the "domestic market". Seems some of these Camero's and Corvette's were going to Europe and the Germans and Italians wanted them as they drove these cars long distances at very high speeds on the Autobahn and other highways with high or no speed limits. Same goes for imported vehicles coming to the US, they are equipped for this market and differ from models made for other markets. I am sure many of you have seen things like Honda CR-V's with a third row seat over seas but not in the US. Same for diesel engines and such. Its how things are done in this business.