When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Looking at the recent reviews of the TLX, I am worried that the poor rear seat room will be the deciding factor. I can see having a family in the next 3-5 years, so baby seats are a must.
Alas, I am on the fence if I should just wait and get the PMC RDX for the amount of money they are charging for just a small sedan.
If you have just one kid, it's not too big of a deal fitting a car seat. Infant car seat fits no problem in our 1G TLX if we put it into the middle seat; both front seats can be moved back fully. Now, if you put the car seat behind one of the front seats, then it starts becoming a tight fit. Here are the measurements I took for how much room the car seat (Cybex Aton M and Nuna Exec in rear facing mode) takes and how much room remains in the front; feel free to break out a tape measurer and see how your current car performs.
Looking at the recent reviews of the TLX, I am worried that the poor rear seat room will be the deciding factor. I can see having a family in the next 3-5 years, so baby seats are a must.
Alas, I am on the fence if I should just wait and get the PMC RDX for the amount of money they are charging for just a small sedan.
RDX is a 5-seater. I would not bother with PMC, as that sounds very expensive. Just get an Advance (or Tech should be fine if it can now "stop itself and not crash"). The thing we never liked about the RDX is they hold-back on features (I guess to push people toward the MDX). I say it should just be slightly smaller engine, smaller size, and 2 less seats. But no. And no PHEV ... this is how we ended up going Audi Q5e PHEVthis time.
We really liked our 2014 MDX Tech SH-AWD. We just didn't need a big 7-seater any more (or really, it's a 5-seater with plenty of cargo space). New MDX is supposedly coming soon.
We like having one of each ... a SUV and a sedan. My mother-in-law has a hard-time getting into any SUVs (due to height). Wheelchair needs to fit into the sedan's trunk also.
Which MDX are you referring? The current one is very old, but it is a great value and a comfy yet sporty enough big suv. It feels more refined than RDX everywhere except for the tech and interior quality. RDX I suggest waiting for MMC, mainly for newer tech as seen on TLX and maybe aome refinements (suspension tuning, sound deadening, rear temperature control, full-blown ambient lights). TLX is very different, but I think new parents need to relax about baby seat fitment. You are only using back-facing seat for a couple of years, and space is never going to be an issue for front-facing ones. Just buy new baby seat for each stage, and skip those bulky muti-function ones!
I don't think the tlx will make a great family car. It seems like Acura is purposely positioning the tlx to be a sports sedan so that it will be able to go head to head with the others in this segment, rather than be a Honda+.
If you want a family sedan, Honda has the Accord which is an excellent choice. It's big inside, has a lot of features, and is pretty powerful.
MDX is a seven seater so. If you need that much space, I don't think the tlx will work at all.
If you don't have a family this is *THE* time for you to get what you want - be it a TLX or BMW or Audi or the new Z or whatever! Don't roll into SUV mode until you need to.
Trust me - years later when you're cruising down the road in your minivan yelling at the kids to stop putting dirt in their mouths you'll regret not having more fun when you could
Did someone say V60? Here's how the same car seat fits in that car. You get an extra inch of room up front compared to the 1G TLX, even though the car is almost half a foot shorter. Totally doable as a family car, and I can confirm you can fit a big ol' jogging stroller (Thule Urban Glide 2) in the back without taking off the wheels and still have room to spare. In the TLX, it barely fits, and you have to take off both rear wheels.
I also forgot to mention I need actual cargo room that is unobstructed.I use it as a moving truck from time to time.
My current car has 14.7 ft³, 34.5 ft³ with seat area down. The RDX has 29.5 ft³, 58.9 ft³ with seat area.
I get why the car market is disappearing! No trunk or passenger space in 2020.
I was looking at liftbacks & wagons previously such as the Kia stinger, Buick regal GS, and Volvo V60.
I much prefer to drive my TLX but on Saturdays (shopping day) we always take my wife's CRV. It's so much more functional. Not to mention trips to Lowe's for mulch or whatever. The CRV is kind of loud and a total dud to drive but I totally get why people buy them.
After running the numbers and pros/cons. These are what I am looking at:
Acura RDX PMC
Volvo V60 cross-country
lincoln Corsair
The RDX is going to handle the best, have the most space, and has the best AWD. The Volvo is going to have the best interior, build quality, be the safest, and IMO looks the classiest. The Lincoln will be the most likely to score you an AARP discount at the drive-thru.
Did someone say V60? Here's how the same car seat fits in that car. You get an extra inch of room up front compared to the 1G TLX, even though the car is almost half a foot shorter. Totally doable as a family car, and I can confirm you can fit a big ol' jogging stroller (Thule Urban Glide 2) in the back without taking off the wheels and still have room to spare. In the TLX, it barely fits, and you have to take off both rear wheels.
Wait so if you design something correctly and actually pay attention to what your customers want/need you can make useable space? You don't say!
Looking at the recent reviews of the TLX, I am worried that the poor rear seat room will be the deciding factor. I can see having a family in the next 3-5 years, so baby seats are a must.
Alas, I am on the fence if I should just wait and get the PMC RDX for the amount of money they are charging for just a small sedan.
How about the TLX-S for you now (soon), and after 3-5 years, a RDX/MDX for your wife and babies ?
I much prefer to drive my TLX but on Saturdays (shopping day) we always take my wife's CRV. It's so much more functional. Not to mention trips to Lowe's for mulch or whatever. The CRV is kind of loud and a total dud to drive but I totally get why people buy them.
We looked at a CRV back in 2015. We thought the road noise was terrible and very slow to accelerate. I understand the current gen CRV is MUCH improved from what we looked at in 2015. Also Honda refused to deal on the CRV back then. We ended up getting a 2015 RDX AWD Tech when the 2016s just came out for only $1k more than the CRV. The 2015 RDX was much quieter, more comfortable, accelerated so much better, and had a better sound system. We have since replaced that with an MDX since we didn't like the 3G RDX.
Its looking like I'll go RDX PMC over a TLX Advanced.
My reasons are actually wanting to haul stuff and passengers in the rear. Something that car class doesn't understand about a consumer.
Cost is another factor, why would I pay $50k for a car that is compromised? The RDX is the better choice if your dollar is concerned.
One question I have is: suppose Acura does come out with an RDX Type-S priced at around $55K (reasonable since the Type-S is expected to be around $55K). How would you feel about your PMC if that ended up being the case?
One question I have is: suppose Acura does come out with an RDX Type-S priced at around $55K (reasonable since the Type-S is expected to be around $55K). How would you feel about your PMC if that ended up being the case?
I wouldn't lose sleep on it. I like the idea that I get a custom paint job, a more hand built vehicle, and exclusivity.
Its looking like I'll go RDX PMC over a TLX Advanced.
My reasons are actually wanting to haul stuff and passengers in the rear. Something that car class doesn't understand about a consumer.
Cost is another factor, why would I pay $50k for a car that is compromised? The RDX is the better choice if your dollar is concerned.
I don't know how long you can wait and what is your budget, but at RDX PMC price and timeframe, you may want to consider waiting for the upcoming MDX. It is worth the wait, your family will love you more.
Looking at the recent reviews of the TLX, I am worried that the poor rear seat room will be the deciding factor. I can see having a family in the next 3-5 years, so baby seats are a must.
Alas, I am on the fence if I should just wait and get the PMC RDX for the amount of money they are charging for just a small sedan.
Unless you just lease for 3 years, I highly advise against the TLX if you are just starting a family and this could be the main vehicle. I'm on the other side of the hill where my youngest is graduating to a booster seat and my other car was a minivan->GL 450.
Now that I'm "free to choose", I decided on the rear-seat compromised TLX because it's a car "just for me".
If that's not enough discouragement, did you factor in how low the TLX is now and how many times you'll get a concussion from hitting your head inside the car roof when ducking in/out to buckle in the kid?
If you are not in a hurry and can wait around +8 more months.... The RDX is 3 years into its current design and due for a MMC upgrade for 2022. Don't know when or if Acura will do the RDX MMC around years end of 2021. Good chance some of the new design and tech/luxury updates from the 4th Gen MDX (and any updates with the 2nd Gen TLX not on current RDX) will make it down to the 2022 MMC RDX. That would give a lot more choices between the 3rd/4th Gen MDX, pre/post MMC RDX, and more time for reasonable pricing for the 2nd Gen TLX. The +2022 MMC model year would be the time Acura would release a Type-S RDX if you think you might outgrow the Type-S TLX.
If you don't have a family this is *THE* time for you to get what you want - be it a TLX or BMW or Audi or the new Z or whatever! Don't roll into SUV mode until you need to.
Trust me - years later when you're cruising down the road in your minivan yelling at the kids to stop putting dirt in their mouths you'll regret not having more fun when you could
No offense, but that BS stereotype is lame AF. I'm married with two kids, girl is 6, boy is 13. They love to go on drives and have enjoyed cleaning/detailing all our cars with me on the weekends since they were toddlers. I've never had to yell at them to stop eating dirt or drove a minivan fuming out of my ears. Neither my wife or I have ever owned a minivan. Having a car of choice and having kids is not mutually exclusive.
No offense, but that BS stereotype is lame AF. I'm married with two kids, girl is 6, boy is 13. They love to go on drives and have enjoyed cleaning/detailing all our cars with me on the weekends since they were toddlers. I've never had to yell at them to stop eating dirt or drove a minivan fuming out of my ears. Neither my wife or I have ever owned a minivan. Having a car of choice and having kids is not mutually exclusive.
In total agreement because everyone's situation is different.
My statement about the TLX's back seat and the low roof still stands as I'm super glad I don't need to deal with that aspect of my life anymore!
In total agreement because everyone's situation is different.
My statement about the TLX's back seat and the low roof still stands as I'm super glad I don't need to deal with that aspect of my life anymore!
I owned several two door coupes, both during my son's toddler years and later when my daughter was 1 year old. I never had any issues with getting them in the car. The minivan/kids stereotype is an American thing. In Europe, people have regular cars and kids and have no problems whatsoever. The whole soccer mom thing is a cringe fest.
Its looking like I'll go RDX PMC over a TLX Advanced.
My reasons are actually wanting to haul stuff and passengers in the rear. Something that car class doesn't understand about a consumer.
Cost is another factor, why would I pay $50k for a car that is compromised? The RDX is the better choice if your dollar is concerned.
What do you mean “that car class does not understand...”? That’s why everyone is buying SUVs. The car manufacturers are not the problem. You are. You are wanting a sport sedan to be an SUV. You even named some of the cars that are blending sport sedan with practical space. Stinger, A5, and all the hump back whales like the X4, GLE Coupe etc have the middle ground covered.
There are plenty of vehicles that do exactly what you want. You are just mad that the TLX does not.
No offense, but that BS stereotype is lame AF. I'm married with two kids, girl is 6, boy is 13. They love to go on drives and have enjoyed cleaning/detailing all our cars with me on the weekends since they were toddlers. I've never had to yell at them to stop eating dirt or drove a minivan fuming out of my ears. Neither my wife or I have ever owned a minivan. Having a car of choice and having kids is not mutually exclusive.
I'm sure you are an exceptionally cool family, but you may have missed the slightly satirical nature of the Professor's post. His main point was to keep the sport sedan as long as possible. I don't disagree with you that a decent sized sporty sedan like the Accord can bridge both worlds quite nicely, but the reality is that SUVs and minivans are haulers that many families choose, especially if they also head out to a cottage or other family trips.
I'm sure you are an exceptionally cool family, but you may have missed the slightly satirical nature of the Professor's post. His main point was to keep the sport sedan as long as possible. I don't disagree with you that a decent sized sporty sedan like the Accord can bridge both worlds quite nicely, but the reality is that SUVs and minivans are haulers that many families choose, especially if they also head out to a cottage or other family trips.
Before/after kids is like "no plastic on furniture" vs "plastic on furniture".
What do you mean “that car class does not understand...”? That’s why everyone is buying SUVs. The car manufacturers are not the problem. You are. You are wanting a sport sedan to be an SUV. You even named some of the cars that are blending sport sedan with practical space. Stinger, A5, and all the hump back whales like the X4, GLE Coupe etc have the middle ground covered.
There are plenty of vehicles that do exactly what you want. You are just mad that the TLX does not.
I don't think I've ever seen A5 and "practical space" together in the same sentence!
I lusted after the A5 for the longest time. While Europeans enjoyed a 4-door version I questioned Audi dealers why it's not in the states. Shortly after I leased my 2015 A6, the A5 sportback finally appeared!
At least with my current TLX, I get some of that sloping rear roofline I eyed on the A5.
I don't think I've ever seen A5 and "practical space" together in the same sentence!
I lusted after the A5 for the longest time. While Europeans enjoyed a 4-door version I questioned Audi dealers why it's not in the states. Shortly after I leased my 2015 A6, the A5 sportback finally appeared!
At least with my current TLX, I get some of that sloping rear roofline I eyed on the A5.
Interesting you mention Audi-A6. I think they look similar and both have actual trunks.
The TLX-2.0 is still slightly larger (with less room inside) and has a much larger turning-radius. Slightly lighter, but that might just be the 4-banger compared to the v6-3.0T (335 hp) in the A6 . A6 is also 48v Mild-Hybrid now-days.
So, really ... no comparison on that front and many others (including price).
Nevermind, I suppose a V6-TLX-Type-S is more comparable. However, no Digital Cockpit or HUD (last I heard) and MHEV and Night-Vision are not available on Acuras.
Interesting you mention Audi-A6. I think they look similar and both have actual trunks.
The TLX-2.0 is still slightly larger (with less room inside) and has a much larger turning-radius. Slightly lighter, but that might just be the 4-banger compared to the v6-3.0T (335 hp) in the A6 . A6 is also 48v Mild-Hybrid now-days.
So, really ... no comparison on that front and many others (including price).
Nevermind, I suppose a V6-TLX-Type-S is more comparable. However, no Digital Cockpit or HUD (last I heard) and MHEV and Night-Vision are not available on Acuras.
The Advance Trim has the HUD but I get what you're saying.
