Currently driving a G37X and looking for a small/medium crossover/suv. I tried out an A-Spec last weekend and I was impressed. Big improvement over the last gen. Love the look and driving dynamics.

Things I didn't like:

Infotainment is better than Lexus but I really prefer a touchscreen.
Stereo was worse than my G37 Bose system although I didn't spend a ton of time tweaking it.
Disappointed it doesn't come with a spare tire or even a kit.
Piped in engine noise is a little much. Too bad you can't toggle it on/off.
The Goodyear RS-A is a poor choice for a $47K vehicle. My G37 had those and I couldn't wait to get rid of them. They are horrible in snow.

Mostly nitpicks I guess.

Everything else was great. I really like the dark gray with the A-Spec rims. It's in the running but the dealer wasn't willing to offer much of a discount since he claimed they are selling like hotcakes.

 

Regarding the sound system, when I did my test drive, it sounded horrible too. Then went in again for another test drive, same thing. Both times were the same Elite Platinum trim (advance in the USA). Then I went to test drive an a-spec model which should have the same stereo system, and it sounded much better. I think either the system in the other test car was messed up or someone else messed around with the settings. The system in my RDX sounds really good which isn't surprising since most reviews do rate it very highly, if not the best in class.

 

The wife has the A-spec in Modern Steel with the red seats and she loves it. She gets way more positive comments on It, than she ever got in her black leather Q5. The red looks sporty in that dark gray.

The infotainment system needs a little getting use to, but becomes second nature once using it for awhile. We Like it, cause it avoids finger print smudges on the screen. As for the stereo, I find it better sounding than the Bang & Olufsen in my S5, could be the cabin size in the coupe vs. mid size SUV.

There is a flat fix kit in the trunk, but you'd be SOL with a large blowout on the road. Luckily, I took out the spare and jack out of our 2nd gen. RDX before trading in, and keep it in the garage while she drives locally. Should she get a flat, I can take the spare to her.If we go anywhere together, I throw it in the back, to be safe.

The Goodyear RS-A have not been a issue in the snow, but my guess would be that the SH-AWD and snow mode would be the reason. She handled very well in a northeast snow fall we had in November. My guess is that a G37 RWD with those tires could be treacherous.

It's a great vehicle, find a large volume dealer in your area, and they'll be more willing to deal.

 

 

When purchasing my car, i was thinking the same thing about the RS-A's. But my opinion has changed on them during the northeast snow storm we had last month. They gripped really nicely.

 

I think I bought the one you are looking at! I agree, I didn't want RSAs, but the RSA's have been better than I had hoped. The reviews are crap on tire rack, and I personally would never put goodyears on my vehicle, and I think they will be worse as they wear, but not replacing them until I need to. I like the touchpad, touchscreens are nice at times, but I don't like smudges and fingerprints, and I could not deal with smudges all the time in the sunlight! There is a flat kit under the rear hatch compartment, which may fix minor leaks, but not a blowout obviously. Acrua Care does take care of a lot, so atleast you are covered if a bad blow out happens. Piped-in noise is only in sport mode, and doesn't sound bad IMO. Lastly, I had an S4 with B&O sound system, I can't say the 3D ELD system is better or worse, both have pros and cons, but its good enough once you tune it to your liking. I got $2k off sticker, with a $900 installed package with clear door edge protection and some paint sealant I refused to pay. Looks like people are getting AWD A-Specs for sub $44k now, just shop around.

 

 

I bought mine from McGrath Acura in Westmont. Their Morton Grove dealer was also competing and offered same price (different family owner). Rizza Acura also offered me one for $45,100, but McGrath gave me a year of free oil changes and less hassle, they met my price.

 

I have A-Spec as well. Yeah first 4 years Acura care covers roadside issues for free. Stereo system seems good to me. Not sure about the tires. I live in MD where we get snow, so I'll see. Like mentioned above go to a high volume dealer. I had to go 70 miles away to get A-Spec AWD for $45,250 out the door (OTD) price. My local dealer wouldn't go down from $47,250 OTD.

 

I picked up a spare tire kit for my A Spec SH-AWD. It wasn't available when I first bought the car in July, nor would any dealer sell me the parts at the time, but it's available now. I will be installing it this weekend.

 

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Did you go to Pohanka and use 1K loyalty?

 

 

See this thread https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-rdx-...dvance-974362/

 

This is part number for the 20" A-spec wheels: 06421-TJB-A50
I bought mine on E-bay for $286.57 with free shipping, but if I had it to do over, I would buy from AcuraPartsWarehouse, as they have the kit in stock ($212.87, plus shipping of $23), but not the tire.
Buy the tire on E-bay, or wherever. I paid $82.97 for a Kumho T155/90D17 BSW tire on the bay, which works fine. You will need to find a tire shop with a bead seater, as this tire will not seat with pressure alone. Huge gap, and a ratcheting tie down strap would not work for me.

 

 

 

The best deals are had the last 5 days of the month when dealers are trying to meet their quotas.

 

We may go back at the end of the month and see what he can do. They can't seem to keep them in stock around here so I'm not going to get my hopes up.

 

 

To be honest after test driving the Aspec I came away very disappointed. Rough and choppy ride, piped in noise was annoying, shifting was rough when I pushed the car. The 4 cylinder did not impress me at all. With limited discounts we passed on this purchase.

 

 

Lexus makes extremely reliable vehicles and some that are very attractive. However, I find them to be uninspiring and not very "fun" to drive. I agree on the piped in sound option but it does not appear to be bothering my wife who is the RDX's daily driver.

 

I would agree on Lexus in general being less 'fun' to drive. The NX F-Sport I test drove had the adaptive variable suspension option and it was actually fun to drive.

At some point I'll decide. I may wait until Acura offers some incentives. I'm really not into paying nearly full price.

 

depends on where u live.....fairly decent prices in the DC area from Pohanka

 

Minneapolis. $45,900 not including taxes/fees is the best I've come up with so far for the A-Spec.

 

I was offered $44500 +taxes for the more $$ advance model at the end of Oct from Pohanka..think someone else got $44 +taxes......All timing I think..Good luck

 

I'm looking at AWD models. $44500 for the Advance AWD? The dealership I was at yesterday did have an Advance for $44,500 but it was FWD.

 

Yep that was AWD...fully loaded Advance model. Iknow when I was buying my Subaru a few yrs back..1 dealer in Illinois was selling them much lower....people would fly in and drive it home and still save big $$$$..Then subaru implemented a new rule that 1 could sell only so many outside their location. Pohanka and Radley (falls church) seem to give out good prices.....just agree to terms prior..fly out and drive home,lol make a vacation out of it

 

 

It's definitely a fun SUV. It doesn't quite match the feel of a RWD biased sport sedan but it's close. You must be referring to the QX60?

 

It will feel lighter, and very nimble...


Steering should be light and precise around town and become solid on the highway...


Go drive one, but they don't feel like tanks, but rather butterflies around town... Light steering/percise inputs/very dart like/firm suspension/tail happy at the limit. Well, my 2007 is... I know this 2019 is different, but Hondas and Acuras have a general feel to them...

 

Also, Acura interiors are way more useful than Infiniti's... Just my

 

 

 

 

Replaces the QX70... Just got this on my inbox, so I decided to share if anyone wanted to see...

 

 

Oh hell no, the Acura takes it without even researching...


So it seems Infiniti is beginning to see those dreaded CVT's... The JX35 (QX60) I could forgive, but really, more of them...

I did hear the Q50 sedan switch back to HPS since EPS wasn't so hot among consumers, so there may be hope...

But, in this case, RDX takes it, without a fight!

 

Seems like I've been going through the same thought processes as you folks. Again without yet test driving either, via all the reviews and videos to date my lead horse is the rdx.

MM, thanks for the vid! What actually led me to the rdx was first seeing the new qx50 release, and then looking around at competitors.

 

Here is my spare installed. Decided it was best on the car than in my garage....


Here is the Hoist part number. 74711-TJB-A01

Here is my spare.

Here is the hoist installed.

Spare now underneath.

Trunk hoist drop opening.