Hello everyone, I'm George. This is my first post on this forum, but I'm no stranger to it, been lurking for a while.

Here's my dilemma. I'm in the market for a vehicle right now and I cannot decide between an '08 TL and an '08 RDX. Well, I can, I want the TL, but my wife wants an SUV and although I know the RDX is not particularly an SUV I think it would come close to what we are looking for. We have a 5 year old and another one on the way. Here are some things that I'm debating.

The TL has better MPG then the RDX
The TL has a little better space in the back seats, if not the same as the RDX
The RDX has a bigger "trunk" space
My wife thinks the RDX is safer in a crash because it rides higher, although according to cars.com in crash tests they both score the same
They both have the same features that I want, back-up camera and navi
Price wise they are both very close

I have always owned cars, not SUVs and I don't see the big deal about having a car. The TL seems safe enough. I want to make her happy, but since I'm the one that's going to be driving it, and paying for it I really am leaning toward the TL. I feel I would be paying for something I'm not 100& on, and something that seems a bit smaller. I have seen the TL in person, fell in love with it. I have not seen the RDX, but from reviews and what-not the back seems about the same.

What would you do? Which car would you go for?

I know I'm posting this in the TL side, which might make things somewhat bias, but I want your honest opinion.

 

You also cannot deny the turbo on the RDX, but with less horsepower then the TL and less MPG, the TL still seems like the winner. I want your honest opinion though.

 

you're the one driving it. will you also be the one hauling the kid?

honsetly the safety ratings on both are rated very high. i have heard and read of some pretty bad crashes and the occupants of the TL walk away with minimal injury.

you need to test drive the RDX to give a real comparison. SUVs are not necessarily safer. there are plenty of people who drive big ole SUVs and clip things in their cars all the time (pillars, other cars, the garage etc).

the RDX cargo capacity is a little bit more than the TL, but the rear seats are slightly more roomie in the TL. if you're looking for hauling capacity for two kids and stuff you might consider moving up to an MDX/midsize SUV. the upside of SUVs and kids...the parents don't have to bend over as much to get the kid into the seat and you have plenty of space to haul "stuff". do you take road trips with the family?

the other consideration, you get yourself a TL, and the wife can have the SUV of her choice, since she is the one that wants one.

 

have not you considered a MDX? if you will go with an SUV for me the MDX will be a better choice just like TLtrigirl said, maybe you will need $2K-3K more but will worth the extra money. I have one 07 and we are pretty happy with it.

 

See, the thing is she doesn't drive, I'm the only one that drives. We take long trips once in a while, and that also counts. Although the RDX has more room, it eats up more gas too. Man this sucks.

 

I say if can spend the extra money on a MDX,trying to fit a booster seat and a car seat takes up space in a TL.

 

a happy wife is a happy life

all kidding aside trigirl hit the nail. take your wife and test drive both so she can see and also show her the crash, safety, maintenance comparison

 

You didn't say where you live, do you have a need for AWD? I had an SUV before my TL and I rarely need the extra space but I do miss the visability and versatility and the ground clearance comes in handy too. Personally I think Acura/Honda's SUVs are hideous but I'm sure the RDX or MDX are nice to drive.

 

You're posting at a TL forum so I'm quite surprised the answers have been as unbiased as they have been. Did you post this on the RDX forum too?

With that said, I'm going to say neither. The RDX lacks style that the TL has but the TL lacks AWD and the room/functionality that the RDX has.

The MDX on the other hand is the perfect compromise of both! It's a great looking car and will make your wife happy! I don't know what segment of the market Acura was going after with the RDX honestly.

 

I have driven RDXs and can offer some advice. It rides very hard, they softened the suspension on the 2013 due to many complaints. It is mandatory to use Mobil 1 or other compatible HT006 synthetic motor oils. Maintenance costs are higher, you have a front and rear differential in the RDX. Fuel economy in the RdX is brutal if you get on the turbo.
One more thing to consider,if you have any turbo or catalytic convertor issues, they are very costly to fix.
As far as crash testing, the RDX being safer due to sitting higher is just untrue. It does offer a better view down the road but the TL and RDX both have excellent crash test ratings.

 

I gotta say it-- minivan!

Unless you need AWD due to snow, your best choice is a minivan. The RDX is small and really is not an SUV; entry into a minivan is better than entry into an MDX, Pilot or non-sliding door vehicles. Now, during the workweek, wife drives an Odyssey to shuttle kids and I get the TL.

Otherwise, TL > RDX based on costs, maintenance, reliability and driving responsiveness. We were able to get around with a sedan with two young kids before getting the Odyssey.

 

way better to keep the wife happy at this young age! we were rockin an Odyssey when the kids were that age.

 

As a TL and Honda Pilot owner, a sedan is very different than an SUV/CUV in many ways. If you could only have ONE vehicle, I would pick the RDX or Honda Pilot over a TL. Those vehicles will have more practicality for a growing family and be more comfortable on those long trips.

But george you really need to look at how you or your wife are going to use this vehicle. Who is going to be the primary driver? If this is the go out of town vehicle or simply an around town runabout? My TL serves me great as the daily driver but it's mostly our in-town car. When we go out of town, we always use the Pilot because it holds more and is more comfortable for two or three people in the back.

If you have space size issues about the RDX and have cost issues with the MDX, I would recommend that you look at the Pilot. We have had ours for 8 years and it's a fine vehicle and uses many of the same engine parts as my TL which makes maintenance extremely easy and consistent. The Pilot seats as many as a minivan and will go places off road that no Minivan will get to if that's important to you.

 

The older RDX's have the most awful looking front end. The only RDX I would consider are the new ones, but even those are kinda small for an SUV. I would go for an MDX all day over an RDX. So with both of the cars in mind you stated, I would go with the TL for sure.

 

Take a 07-12 Rdx for a spin around town...u will quickly come to HATE the stiffness...compare that to an 07-08 TL base ride comfort- the TL is smooooooth.

I've had 2 x 08 RDX and all I can say is:
-my head hurts on long drives from all the bouncing
-terrible fuel economy
-higher maintenance costs

I've had a TL for my kid since she was 2 and no complaints.

 

This.

The Pilot's pretty solid, but I'd take a 4Runner over any Acura/Honda SUV.

 

I would go with the 08-09 MDX instead of 07-08 RDX. TL is good enough for me, BTW I also has a kid and family to haul around too.

 

Thanks for all your replies.

I forgot to mention I live in Los Angeles, so you know it's traffic capital.

It's true, a happy wife is a happy life. However, how am I going to feel 2 years down the road when I regret getting the RDX because that's not the car I really wanted.

The MDX is ok, but I'm also looking at gas mileage. The MDX averages 15-20.

We don't really travel out of town, except maybe twice a year to Albuquerque, 800 miles. I used to own an 06 Maxima, and I loved the drive with that.

I think my wife wants the RDX because she wants to feel like a family with the SUV/CUV. But I'm the one that is going to be driving it 100% of the time because she doesn't drive. And since I'm the only one working I'm the one paying for it.

 

Get a Rdx sh-awd. My uncle/aunt has one and they love it. Comes with paddle shifters also. Not SUV type room as was mentioned. Plenty big for a couple suitcases though.

 

Sounds like you answered your own question (TL). Plus the TL is going to get much better MPG and be more comfy and fun to drive. I drove a new loaner RDX when I got my timing belt replaced over the holidays. It was nice but enjoy my TL much better. It also depends on your budget. Are you looking new either way?

 

My TL type-s only averages 19-20mpg in the city/suburbs...not a drastic improvement over the MDX. I guess it depends on your immediate area and how much stop and go driving you will be doing.

 

the same commuting miles in my TL vs my MDX = 17-18mpg vs 16-17 mpg not a whole lotta difference. now hwy....different story. close to 30 in the TL and 23 mpg in the MDX. <==these are strictly HWY only miles (road trip).

 

I too have driven an RDX loaner...there is no comparison to the TL imho. I love my car and if you don't need AWD the TL should do just fine.

 

If its going to be your car get the TL.
If its going to be a joint car get the RDX unless she has her own car.
If its going to be her car get the RDX.

Having a wife always complaining about not getting the car she wanted just isn't worth it. Two cars makes it so much easier. At least it isn't a minivan.

 

I have a 2007 TL-S with 60,000 miles. My dad has a 2007 RDX with 150,000 miles. He travels (obviously) quite a bit and loves it. Maintenance costs may be a little higher but he has not had any problems with the turbo/differential/transmission/etc. His has been rather problem free except a few issues that are to be expected here and there.

I love my TL and wouldn't trade it foran RDX. We both work at accounting firms so gas mileage was not a concern as reimbursement at $.55 a mile covers it plenty. The AWD has been nice for him but with the weight of the TL I have not had any issues in the snow.

The turbo 4 cylinder is surprisingly peppy and can be fun but I'll be keeping my white type s. Such a great looking car.

Good luck.

 

If you get the TL and your wife is not happy then you will not be happy with the TL.

Test drive both and make sure you are BOTH happy with whatever you choose.

 

Scrap the RDX and go for MDX...same engine and transmission as the TL so you'll the vehicle will blow past traffic when you tap the pedal!!!

 

Based on your input, there is one important factor that you may not have factored and that is the baby on the way. I can see how one child works fine in a Maxima or TL, but it get's a bit tight having two kids in the back of a TL. Good luck cramming anybody else in the back- it will be tight.

If you can only have one car, you probably need something a little larger- especially when your Son gets a little older and has friends that come along. The MDX isn't a bad idea but the gas mileage is 15-18 in town like it is with our Pilot.

Maybe you need to branch out of the Acura brand to get what meets your requirements better? If I were you, I might look at a Subaru Forester or Legacy GT Wagon possibly. Both will get better mileage with 4 cylinder engines, perform reasonably well, and are still big enough to carry all the crap you need to carry with a couple of kids. We had a Subaru Outback before our Pilot and it was great when we had smaller kids- my oldest was 9 and youngest was 7 when we sold the Subaru. Another decent vehicle might be a Toyota Venza possibly.

 

problem solved.

 

actually the 07-09 MDX's have a 3.7L V6 with a 5AT. the newer MDX's have the same 3.7L V6 but with a 6AT.

the 04-08 TL base engine is a 3.2L V6 with a 5AT or 6MT (04-06). the type-s has a 3.5L V6 in 5AT or 6MT.

you might be thinking of the 4G TL's in terms of engine and tranny. base =3.5L V6 with a 6AT vs SHAWD= 3.7L V6 with a 6AT or 6MT.

so in reality only the 4G TL SHAWD shares the engine of the 2G MDX

 

Op believe or not the MDX isn't consume more gas than my TL-S, I got a 2013 MDX Tech package loaner from the dealer drove around for 125 miles and back only fill up $15 ($3.89/gallon price). That is dam cheap compare to my TL-S considering the 3.7 and 4000+lbs that it hauling around.

 

Take a good look at the 2013 RDX. Lots of changes for 2013. It has a 6 spd AT / v6 with 28mpg freeway for the 2WD trim. All maxed out with navi etc, the pricing is attractive as well. Also, the newer Pilots get 25mpg freeway. Personally I would stay away from used 4 banger turbo RDX's.

I've had an 05 6MT TL for many years and probably going to trade it in for the 2013 RDX, after looking at many options including sport sedans, wagons, trucks, SUV's.

 

I read through 3/4 of this thread and am now just skipping to make my response.

TL all the way.

I just bought my wife a 2012 Pilot this past summer because we have 2 kids and she had a Civic, so, yeah.

However, when I drove anywhere for a trip we'd put the kids into my TL and we had no troubles. I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old. 1 pack'n'play in the trunk for the 2 year old, and plenty of space for clothes, food, diapers, etc. etc. <insert random shit my wife thinks we need for the kids on long trips but really we don't need here>

Truth be told only reason I bought her the SUV was because she doesn't work and hauls the kids all day while I am at the office, and it's what she wanted so I adhered to the "happy wife, happy life" mentality as noted in this thread, because it was financially feasible.

I think the RDX's pickup is on par with the Pilot, and all I can say is that it is god-awful miserable for me to drive our Pilot after driving my TL because it's so much slower. I love the function of the SUV, but holy shit are they slow unless you're rocking a cayenne turbo or something.

Again I lean towards the TL because I've done it with 2 kids and my wife drove it around on occasion with both kids and never had complaints.

 

I actually own both in my household. I Drive a 2007 6spd TL-S and my wife drives a 2007 RDX. The 07 RDX is the stiffest suspension year. Yes, at times the ride is jarring but it all depends on the roads. We live in an area that see's snow so it's a no brainier having an awd car. On long trips we tend to take her car with me behind the wheel I return about 23-24mpg. The TL does get better mpg, but being stuck in LA traffic I doubt you would see the benefits. Even tho you are the primary driver she will never let go that you purchased the car she did not want just my 2 cents.

 

The OP needs to prioritize his priorities: cost, MPG, performance, and utility. By doing that the best vehicle will be obvious. All the vehicles listed are fine but they differ in one of those values.

I have both a TL and the Pilot and there is no way the Mileage is similar for a 3.2L TL .vs. a 3.5L and heavier Pilot with AWD- I get 19 MPG around town in the TL and 14-15 in the Pilot. If MPG is important then the 20% improvement with the TL is important; however, you'll have a subpar vehicle for hauling 6+ people or picking up a TV or something bulky- it's all about what you need. I have the 1st gen Pilot and it drives pretty decent- it's the handling and braking that is vastly subpar from the TL- it's just a second or two slower to 60 with a 7.5 second 0-60. The Pilot is still plenty quick enough to stay out of harms way.

 

I own an 06 TL and love it. Quiet, comfortable and plenty fast.

GF wanted an RDX, though loves my TL. We test drove an 09 RDX and it was louder inside than my 1997 CRV. It rode the same as the CRV, which wasn't too impressive.

She then drove the MDX and fell in love with it and has been on a quest for black on black one ever since.

Supposedly the new RDX's aren't near as loud on the interior, but can't confirm.