My 22 TLX got bought back as a lemon (electronic issues). I told the service manager I was thinking about replacing it with a 21 RDX. He cautioned me to stick to 22. Unfortunately, there are very few 22 RDXs on the market. Dealers are full of 20 and 21. I know the refresh added sound insulation but I’m told the infotainment wiring is different and doesn’t suffer from the same issues as the early RDXs and TLXs. Does anyone have any input?

 

I had a 2021 that I recently traded for a 2023 as I was offered a good deal on the 2023 since it was before the end of the model year. Outside of an issue with the AWD that was handled under warranty, I had no issues with the 2021. No electronic or infotainment issues for mine. If I remember right, mine was a July build 2021 so later in the model year.

 

I'd stick with cars made after 2021(2022+) . Besides the refresh, which made the cars quieter, the infotainment is less troublesome due to a faster processor.
It is also available with the Aspec Advance package. Prior to 22, it was either /or. Lastly, I would try to buy a car that wasn't built during the heart of the pandemic.
What is your budget ?

 

Thanks. I’d say mid 30s, depending on rate. I was hoping to get a 2023 tech over the last few days as there’s a special interest rate on it. But they are all gone. Only some demos which don’t qualify for the rate. I’ll keep looking for a 22 tech. I really liked my TLX but the electronics were too buggy and I miss the flexibility of an suv.

 

If your main problem was the infotainment, this is a lateral move as they are more or less the same. As others have said, if you want a more responsive version of the infotainment, definitely go for MY22+!

 

Is the infotainment the same computer as the MDX (smaller screen of course)?

 

Should be, right down to the wireless CP/AA and Alexa integration.
Owners of MY22+ will be better suited to answer specifics.

 

Not true. My 2021 (built in 11/2020) has been rock solid reliable, and super good build quality. Haven’t had one infotainment issue either or any issues in 22k miles, in all kinds of climates. With every vehicle there may be ones that have some issues, but by 2021, Acura ironed out a lot of the teething issues from the first two prior years of the generation 3.

 

2021 Aspec’s are super reliable and built well. my 2021 is quiet, built like a tank and put together very well. The SHawd is a must in my book, it’s so capable with that - verse the fwd only models. It has the best paint in terms of hardness and depth that I haven’t seen on a few of my prior premium vehicles. Infotainment wise, never an issue, works quickly and the factory maps and apple CarPlay work very well.

Probably could get a screaming deal, as a lot of 2-3 year leases are ending, and with 30k repos nationwide a day - there is going to be a supply surplus and constraints will only apply to the few number of buyers in the market.

 

Yes there are pretty good deals on 2021. Plenty in my area in mid 30s. I’m just not sure if I want to take the chance with the infotainment. My TLX worked like complete crap. Yet my 23 MDX works great.

 

Then you're far better off going with the 2022+ models, not because the 2021's are all bad or anything like that, rather because the 2022's have a much higher likelihood of being trouble free infotainment wise since they gave it a very significant bump in infotainment hardware.

 

My only complaint about my '21 infotainment is its slow. Once its connected and up and running its great but you definitely want to start the car and give it 30s to all boot up. If I start my car, plug in the phone and drive off right away it can sometimes be finicky, but not always and not enough to complain.

 

Are you running the latest software update? My 21 got an update about a month ago, the infotainment comes up quickly, typically ready to roll one I back out of the garage and put it in drive. Never an issue.

Guess it comes down to what the OP wants to spend - as there is NOT a significant difference between the 21 or 22/23 models. 22 Aspec Advanced Aspec with HUD and adaptive suspension would be my choice if I was in the market.

 

I'd say wireless CP/AA and acoustic improvements are pretty significant! Having wireless CP on my X3 has me wondering what took Acura so long to incorporate it?!!!

I like the flexibility of my phone staying in my coat pocket and still being able to use CP (i.e. never leave the phone in the car again)!

 

My guess is parts cost. Acura is going to wait until parts costs are lower than BMW (paying a premium) who is happy being earlier to market and also using higher grade parts (I'm looking at Acura and their very old insufficient 2 core processor, where most all others are using a 4+ core processor). Recall, BMW was at one point charging a subscription charge for using CarPlay (wireless or not). They find ways to offset probable higher parts costs.

And for the record, I agree with you, I wish Acura was a bit more cutting edge on their design choices.

 

It was before I got my X3 but I do remember reading about BMW attempting to charge for wireless CP/AA. The pitchforks came out in full force and it was never spoken of again!

When I had my TLX, I felt like the infotainment ran off a Celeron while luxury brands were using Pentium+ (I know...dated reference...LOL)!

 

My TLX took over 3 minutes to warm up. I clocked it many times in the 18x I took it to the dealer.

I’ll keep an eye out for a 22 but they are rare. Only a FWD that’s certified in my area. Tons of 21 tech. I’m not too hung up on trim. My wife rarely leaves our town and drives a MDX advance. I’ll probably use that for myself and she will take a RDX around town. Can’t go to a complete base model though.

 

I am glad you have had good luck with the 2021 infotainment. A LOT of guys on here complain about it in the 2019-2021 which is why I mentioned. Also...my neighbor has a 2020 and I have a 2023...my car is SIGNIFICANTLY quieter than theirs.
Than again, I have the Aspec Advance too, they have the Tech. So that probably contributes to it as well.

 

You can get wireless AA plugin pucks for under $100, they work fine on the TLX so probably work fine on the 21 RDX too. Carplay has similar but I'm not familiar with their pricing.

For some weird reason the Integra wired AA lower trims used to disconnect with my phone every 10 minutes or so. So I swapped with a wireless AA puck and it never had an issue. So the pucks can improve reliability sometimes too.

The list of key differences between 2021 and 2022 can be found at the bottom of below:
https://acuranews.com/en-US/releases...lity-announced

 

Can you please link your specific AA dongle? This would be good because I hated having to connect to the aux jack all the damn time when phones still had aux jacks that is....then again I still hate that they removed them 😒

 

I keep checking for OTA updates and haven’t seen any since I got the car in August. Is there a way to check the current version? And what version did you just get? Thanks!

 

I was an early (indiegogo) purchaser of AAwireless, and use it most of the time since all my family's phones are set up for it. It was buggy in its first year of software/firmware, but since those early updates it has been completely reliable the past 1-2 years. I also have a Motorola MA1 that I leave unplugged in the car as a backup, in case of any new bugs in AAwireless.

I also take the MA1 on rare business trips for the rental car, when my family is at home and needs AAwireless in the home car. The Integra stability-improvement experience was on a business trip with the MA1.

Both are essentially set-and-forget devices, well worth the purchase price as wireless AA is far more convenient than wired.

 

Thanks man I appreciate it! I will keep this in mind in the future.

 

Update: I couldn’t find a CPO 2022 RDX or any good deals on 23s or 24s so I’m leasing a CX-90. I’ll see what the next gen RDX is like. It’s funny, I’ve posted multiple times over the years thinking about getting a RDX. Going back to 2012 when the 13s came out. I always end up getting something else.

 

​​​​​​Lol I can certainly understand why you wouldn't have wanted a 13 RDX lol, those things suck.

But good choice on the CX-90! I've seen a few on the road now (all in that brown-plum color for some reason) and it really genuinely has a presence. Like if it had a BMW or Mercedes badge I would completely understand it! Wishing you many happy years with it!

 

Quite a leap in size going from RDX to CX-90 (which is more of an MDX competitor).

I personally would've waited for the CX-70 if I didn't need the 3rd row. That one's going to be more of a German-killer than the CX-90 (at least in regards to performance).

 

I'm curious if they're going to use the same powertrain in the CX-70. If so, that thing should be a proper rocket for the money!

 

Everyone believes it's the same engine from the CX90 going to the CX70. There's no reason for that car to underwhelm unless Mazda completely drops the ball!

 

My 21 aspec has been rock solid. Not a single issue

 

Can you share your 2023 deal and when you got it?

 

I only had until the end of the year and the last I heard the CX70 is due in Q1 2024. The 90 is definitely more like a MDX, but at least something different as I considered a second MDX in the driveway or even the new pilot. But when we are averaging 15-16MPG neither sounded too appealing.

It wasn’t so much the car but the deal. I like the refreshed RDX. It would have been a perfect addition to the household. BUT, all the dealers around here wanted MSRP for 23s and 24s and I wanted a 23 for the promo apr. For +2hrs away I could have saved 2k, which I was looking at. That’s still way too much money when a new generation is just around the corner. The final straw for me is Oct had an APR promo up to 60 months. They came out with Nov promo and it’s now limited to 36 months. Car prices are falling but rates are raising so payments end up even higher than before. I got a nice 24 month lease on the Mazda. Hopefully when it goes back, this craziness is over. Until then, my daily driver will likely be the MDX (or whichever one my wife likes less).

 

At least the lease is only 2 years and you can figure out after it's up!

 

So far we haven't heard anything about a new generation. My guess is that this current model will continue at least through MY2025. If there was going to be a change, I think we would have heard at least some buzz about it and maybe a pic of a camouflaged car.

 

They let it go for $5000 under MSRP. Mine was purchased towards the end of September. Within a couple weeks they had a bunch of 2024s on their website and a few on the lot.