TSX_831

Fan of the RSX gauges on this RDX (Silver with red lightning).

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I saw it at the autoshow - looks great in person and the interior is a huge, huge improvement vs any current Acura. The brakes seem decently sized too, which has been a Honda/Acura issue for a long, long time (other than the CTR).

272hp and 280lbft with 10AT and SH-AWD should be a decent combo. I wonder how heavy this car will be. Shawn Church believes with a tune, this has the potential to do 0-60mph in sub 5's range.

TSX69

RDX10

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

The main thing will be the SH-AWD should be heavier than a regular AWD system. That said, I believe this is the 3rd gen SH-AWD which is lighter and more efficient than before. The 2.0T should also be lighter than the 3.5L V6, that may be enough to offset the extra features, bigger wheels, pano roof, etc.

I'm very curious about the weight and we will have to wait I guess.

The acceleration will be interesting and here's my long ass theory (sorry it's gonna be long LOL):

In the 2013 Accord V6 6MT, it's rated at 278hp/252lbft. On a dynojet, it pulled 258hp and 226lbft at the wheels. 2G RDX should be right around this range.
In the 2018 Accord 2.0T 6MT, it's rated at 252hp/273lbft, On a hub dyno, it did 266hp and 292lbft at the hub.

Hondata said their hub dyno usually reads 7% higher than a dynojet. if that's the case, then we can say the 2.0T engine in the Accord makes a tad less hp than the J35 6MT, but still way more torque.

Now, we know that the Accord 2.0T runs on regular. The RDX 2.0T runs on premium gas and is rated 20hp more. As such, I'd think the 3G RDX should be slightly more powerful than the 2G RDX. Combined with a new gearbox that has four more gears with faster shift speeds, Shawn Church at Church Automotive believes the new RDX should be doing mid 5's for 0-60mph. The old RDX was doing low 6's all day long. That big of an improvement may sound a bit unreasonable given that the new car doesn't put down that much more whp. But I think the extra torque that happens at a way lower rpm, along with the crazy short gearing would help immensely. This is especially true if you do a bit of brake torquing to eliminate any turbo lag.

With the current Hondata tune, the 2.0T Accord is making 287hp and 377lbft at the hub. If the RDX is at the same power level, I'd not be surprised that it will do 0-60mph in sub 5's.

FWIW, the BMW X3 M40i is rated at 355hp and 369lbft. It has an 8AT with a curb weight of 4300lb. C/D did 0-60mph in 4.4s.

oonowindoo

except i would not be surprised if the X3 M40i actually has 355 at the wheel.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Oh lol yes I believe the M40i puts down about 335whp on a dynojet. At 335whp and 4300lb. That's 12.8400lb/hp. If the RDX is 4000lb, then 312whp would have the same power to weight ratio. The M40i can do 0-60mph in 4.4s with that kind of power to weigh ratio. Since 4.9s is also sub 5 seconds, the RDX could probably get away with just 290whp to pull that off.

oonowindoo

^ I really do not think so.. out of a 2.0L turbo on a SUV.

But we will see. I am thinking more in the 5.5 range for RDX..... but then again 0-60 is stupid....

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I'm talking about after a Hondata or KTuner man lol. Not straight from the factory! Straight from the factory it's probably at mid 5's. For comparison sake, Alfa Romeo Stevio 2.0T makes 280hp and 305lbft with a curb weight of over 4200lb. Motor Trend got 5.4s from that car. The RDX is slightly less powerful but probably lighter too. They are probably as fast as each other.

oonowindoo

Oh ok. that makes more sense. I thought you were smoking crack thinking RDX can do 4s from the factory

SamDoe1

I know you already know this but it's not just about hp/tq numbers, it's mostly about how that power is delivered and how good the transmission is at translating it to the wheels. BMW's are notoriously good at squeezing every ounce of power from the motor and turning it into forward motion, Hondas...not so much. We'll see how this one is. Also, I'm guessing that the new RDX is not light, they never are. It's not meant to be a "performance" model like the M40 X3 is, it's meant to be a luxury CRV.

TacoBello

There's an inherent problem with your statement, in that these days, 280hp/305lbft doesn't necessarily mean 280hp/305lbft.

It seems every auto maker decides what to claim in terms of power from their turbo offerings these days. Honda underrates all of their turbo engines... while it seems the likes of Ford and Hyundai are a lot more accurate (at least from my limited experience). Where does Alfa fall into the mix? It's hard to do an apples-to-apples comparison...

TacoBello

What are you talking about?

SamDoe1

I've read online that Honda's drivetrain losses are in the neighborhood of 15%-17% (worse for the SUV's) while BMW is in the neighborhood of 10%-12%. True or no?

I'm not talking about rated hp vs actual hp. Lots of automakers underrate engines.

TacoBello

From an engineering standpoint... I'd say it's complete BS, unless BMW somehow figured out how to minimize friction losses, that the rest of the automotive community has no idea about. That, and, RWD also has more moving parts than FWD... It's physically impossible to have less drivetrain losses with more pieces. Lets keep in mind that they buy eachothers cars and tear them down to analyze them... I have a hard time believing BMW is doing something magical in this regard.

Also, what numbers are you comparing? Unless someone pulled an engine and dyno'd it, then put it back into the car and dyno'd the car, how do you know what drivetrain losses actually are? It's all based on the proclaimed power number that the manufacturer gives us... which you stated... is kind of BS anyway.

I dunno.. I've always been told about ~%10 loss for FWD, and ~%15 loss for RWD...

SamDoe1

True for RWD vs FWD but we are talking about two AWD cars here so the differences in that regard should be negligible. I'm not sure how BMW does what it does nor have I or anyone I know actually done any amount of testing on it, everything I've said is all anecdotal at best. Finding a way to minimize friction losses, and patenting that technology, is a great way to have product differentiation even if you tear something down and find a cool new thing.

TacoBello

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Haha, guys, I was quoting WHP...not HP!

Both BMW and Honda these days are massively underrating their engines. The CTR for instance is making 290-300whp at the wheels on a dynojet, consistently, from different dynojets. BMW is using the same ZF8AT tranny that many others are using too, so I don't think BMW are suffering much less drivetrain losses than others. I think you are more talking about the past. If so, yea, the Honda 5AT was not that efficient in putting the power down. It also didn't help with its long gearing. Nowadays, cars have 7AT, 8AT....10AT.

Taco, yea it's hard to do apples to apples comparison. It's quite likely the engine will be underrated though.

Have you seen how the Accord 2.0T 10AT accelerates? It would spin the wheels in 1st and 2nd gear...lol....

oonowindoo

[QUOTE=iforyou;16212935]Haha, guys, I was quoting WHP...not HP!

Both BMW and Honda these days are massively underrating their engines. The CTR for instance is making 290-300whp at the wheels on a dynojet, consistently, from different dynojets. BMW is using the same ZF8AT tranny that many others are using too, so I don't think BMW are suffering much less drivetrain losses than others. I think you are more talking about the past. If so, yea, the Honda 5AT was not that efficient in putting the power down. It also didn't help with its long gearing. Nowadays, cars have 7AT, 8AT....10AT.

Taco, yea it's hard to do apples to apples comparison. It's quite likely the engine will be underrated though.

Have you seen how the Accord 2.0T 10AT accelerates? It would spin the wheels in 1st and 2nd gear...lol....[
/QUOTE]


That is because the tire sucks... upgrade them it wont spin in 2nd.... at least not with automatic transmission.

oonowindoo

talking about underrating its engines.

F90 M5 just dynoed on dynojet 625WHP when it is rated at 600 BHP.

So it is either Dynojet overrates the # which applies to the #s posted above as well.... or the new M5 should have about 750hp.

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1482628

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Haha u bet they underrate that engine too.

Yea u need some really good rubber to prevent any wheelspin in the Accord 2.0T. It still makes about 280lbft to the front wheels. And with 10AT, its 2nd gear is geared quite aggressively compared to the old 6AT. AWD would help quite a bit for that launch.

fsttyms1

Hondas 5 and 6 speed autos were typically in the 17% + range for drivetrain loss.

SamDoe1

The engines aren't underrated so to speak, they are rated at a specific HP rating under worst case conditions. So if you max out all the design constraints, this is what they'd expect the engine to make. Meaning if you took that M5 to the Atacama desert in summer (high altitude and heat) with some other choice considerations, it would probably make a lot less power than sea level and normal temperatures. Most automakers do this just so people aren't pissed when the car they bought makes less power than stated lol.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

haha, not ford and hyundai for sure though.

SSFTSX

Acura Engineers Pull Back RDX Skin | Technology content from WardsAuto
DETROIT – A massive, high-strength steel frame member ringing the rear cargo hatch of the all-new ’19 Acura RDX is the first building block engineers employed to improve chassis stiffness and upgrade handling dynamics in the third-generation CUV.

“We call it the ‘tree trunk’ of the structure,” says Joe Riggsby, body development leader, during an under-the-skin engineering review of the RDX here at the SAE World Congress Experience.

“The magic comes from what we were able to do in the rear,” adds Jed Aston, RDX vehicle dynamics leader.

Aston attached an all-new 5-link rear suspension to the rigid structure, replacing the current model’s trailing-arm setup, allowing for significant improvements in handling without sacrificing ride comfort. Shock uppers bolt directly to the ring to tie the entire rear suspension together. The result is a 125% improvement in rear suspension lateral rigidity.

Body engineers settled on the rear-door ring along with a second structural ring to compensate for losses expected when product planners decided to equip every new RDX with a standard panoramic roof. The roof opening, combined with the already large rear cargo door, would have hurt body stiffness if not for the offsetting rigidity of the strong double-ring rear frame members.

Moving forward, the RDX benefits from Acura’s use of an ArcelorMittal-supplied hot-stamped door ring like the structure introduced on the ’14 MDX. The latest iteration, however, is a world’s-first combined inner and outer hot-stamped door ring.

The entire body structure is welded and further tied together with 121 ft. (37 m) of high-performance adhesive that adds stiffness without adding weight. Use of the adhesive saves about 20 lbs. (9 kg). The RDX body-in-white uses 56% high-strength steel and overall is 42 lbs. (19 kg) lighter than its predecessor, while being engineered to meet all crash standards.

To make the RDX sleeker and more proportionally balanced, the body is stretched and widened while the dash-to-front-axle distance increases.

Steering also gets upgraded to a variable-gear-ratio dual-pinion system in which the steering column is tied directly to the steering rack while a separate electrically driven pinion provides power assistance to the rack. The current RDX is a single-pinion system.

For ’19, the RDX gets a turbocharged 2.0L inline 4-cyl. in place of the current model’s 3.5L V-6, and a 10-speed automatic transmission replaces the older 6-speed automatic. The 2.0L produces 272 hp and 280 lb.-ft. (380 Nm) of torque.

Upgrades in the fourth generation of Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive make the RDX more responsive, able to handle higher torque and more capable of quickly shifting torque to the wheel with traction, says Aaron Alexander, senior engineer-SH-AWD.

Legend2TL

Impressive exclusive chassis

TSX69

https://www.cars.com/articles/hands-on-with-the-2019-acura-rdxs-controversial-media-touchpad-1420699989615/

Hands On With the 2019 Acura RDX's Controversial Media Touchpad

By Brian Wong

May 14, 2018

2019 Acura RDX

Cars.com photo by Brian Wong

What had me most curious — and a bit optimistic — about the redesigned 2019 Acura RDX is the big update to the multimedia and vehicle control system. The old RDX's tiered, two-screen multimedia system ran in direct opposition to the adage "2 is better than 1" because it was kind of a mess. Acura went back to the drawing board for 2019 and designed a brand-new multimedia system that makes its debut on the RDX. I spent about an hour driving the 2019 RDX around to get acquainted with its new brains and touchpad controller.

Related: 2019 Acura RDX Production Models Finally Arrive, and Here They Are

Get 2018 Acura RDX DetailsFind a 2018 Acura RDX Near You

When we 1st heard of this change, our staff was skeptical. To put it plainly, touchpad-based systems in cars suck. Those systems often use a cursor, much like a mouse on a computer, which has proven to be a distracting, difficult proposition to use while the car is in motion. It's not that hard to use the touchpad on a laptop when you're sitting still, but doing it while driving a 2-ton hunk of metal down the road, bouncing around, kids yelling in the backseat and traffic buzzing around you, is a different animal entirely.

2019 Acura RDX

Cars.com photo by Brian Wong

How the True Touchpad Interface Works

Acura calls the system True Touchpad Interface, and it includes a 10.2-inch display and the new touchpad controller on the center console originally found on the Acura RDX Prototype. The display is fantastic. It's high-resolution and bright even in daytime conditions. The screen is mounted high on the dashboard, closer to the driver's line of sight. It isn't a touchscreen at all it just sits prettily atop the center console and all inputs flow through the new touchpad control unit. Acura divides the screen into two sections: The left side contains the home screen with large icons, while the right side is reserved for secondary information such as a navigation map, audio and a clock.

Acura's touchpad system is different from other systems we've used in that it ditches the cursor and instead maps the screen to the pad. When you put your finger on the pad, it's like placing it on a corresponding spot on the screen. The clear advantage to this is that you don't have to look at the screen as much to find the cursor. With your finger on the pad, there's an audible cue and, more importantly, a large orange highlight that's easy to spot when you hover over a function. This is especially true on the home screen, which has 8 customizable icons. More pages can also be added with customized icons, and those are accessible by swiping left and right across the main touchpad area.

Is the Touchpad Good or Bad?

The RDX's touchpad is the best touchpad interface I've used. That seems like high praise, but considering the general suckitude of the competition, it's a somewhat hollow compliment. And what makes Acura's better is that it doesn't operate like a traditional touchpad, but rather like a miniature version of the screen.

Using the system while driving isn't seamlessly intuitive. There's a bit of a learning curve to it; I would sometimes overshoot functions by overcorrecting, and the placement of the touchpad wasn't totally ergonomic — it sat a few inches too far forward to be comfortable and didn't offer enough of a wrist pad for me to lay my arm down comfortably, which is about the only thing Lexus does well with its system.

The system also does a good job using the full width of the display to show various information. On the touchpad, there's a divider that splits the pad into a main section and a thin space on the right. That thin space can be used to scroll through the 3 right side screens, but if you want to bring that information forward, you just press down on the right side of the pad. And the system is smart enough to swap the screens so you don't end up showing the navigation map or the audio information twice.

2019 Acura RDX; Cars.com photos by Brian Wong

The System Is Highly Customizable

The true strength of the system is smart design and customization. Using the touchpad while on the move remains a tricky proposition, especially for finding functions in the middle of the screen. How do you fix that? Acura says that in each of the car's screens, it measured how often different functions were used and put the most common ones towards the edges of the screen to make them easier to find on the pad. On top of that, a ridge was added around the rim of the touchpad so your fingers know when they reach the edge of it and, correspondingly, the edge of the screen.

The system's customization is showcased by the home screen and corresponding "pages" of icons. The icons range from general functionality, such as navigation, Bluetooth audio or phone contacts, to more individualized functions like points of interest, a contact you call often or even a radio station. At a certain point, once you get used to where the position of your personalized icons are, you could be able to get through most of the functionality without looking at the screen itself.

2019 Acura RDX

Cars.com photo by Brian Wong

This level of customization carries over to the head-up display, which is controlled by the scroll wheel on the left side of the steering wheel. An "Apps" button calls up a menu on the HUD that can be modified to contain the same features you'd put on the home screen of the multimedia system. Click the button, scroll through a list of those functions, and you can access most of the system's functionality without even using the screen or touchpad. This is probably the primary way I'd use the system, and it's even less distracting because the HUD is more closely in your line of sight.

Smarter Voice Commands and Smartphone Connectivity

The voice command system has undergone an under-the-radar upgrade, too. Instead of working through menus verbally, it accepts more natural speech commands. Drivers can tell the system things like "I need gas" or "Take me home" and it will figure it out. Testing voice command systems might be my least favorite part of this job, so running into 1 that doesn't make more of my hair fall out is much appreciated.

Apple CarPlay will be available at launch for the 2019 Acura RDX, but there's a catch. Acura says Apple CarPlay (and Android Auto, by extension) is responsible for how the technology will interact with Acura's hardware. When using CarPlay, the touchpad functions more traditionally; a small blue highlight indicates what icon/function is currently selected, and dragging your finger across the pad moves the highlight. It's a hard system to use while driving and there's a bit of lag that wasn't there with Acura's native system. I would be more inclined to use Acura's built-in system than CarPlay in this integration.

Speaking of Android Auto, Acura says its technology remains still on hold while Google figures out how to integrate with the RDX's new control schematic. My hope is that it comes back with true positioning enabled, because without it, using the system will be difficult as it is with Apple CarPlay.

Acura did confirm that Android Auto will come to the 2019 RDX sometime in 2018. And those who buy an RDX before it's released will get a system update that enables it (Acura isn't yet sure if it will be an over-the-air update or require a trip to the dealership).

2019 Acura RDX

Cars.com photo by Brian Wong

The System Isn't Without Flaws

Using a touchpad while driving wasn't something that came naturally to me — but again, the system's strength isn't input methodology, it's smart design and customizability.

There was one more quirk of the 2019 RDX. The Advance trim level I tested comes with a 360-degree camera system. This means that you get a view showing both the 360-degree view of the RDX and the rear camera view, but it doesn't use all of the screen and is strangely low-resolution — jarring when you consider how sharp the screen is normally.

I came away from my time using the True Touchpad Interface more of a believer than I thought I would be. The giant icons and big orange highlights to show what you're touching are helpful, as are the audio cues (I'd likely leave those on). Acura says the system is based on an Android interface, and that's apparent. The ability to set it up the way you like with a variety of different features to choose from is what makes the system enjoyable in my eyes. Even better, Acura confirmed this system will make its way throughout the rest of the lineup as those vehicles get their own redesigns.

Cars.com's Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com's long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don't accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com's advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

TSX69

TSX69

[font=georgia]
https://www.tflcar.com/2018/05/2019-acura-rdx-top-10/

What Has Improved in the 2019 Acura RDX? These are the Top 10 Features [Video]




We saw the prototype in Detroit and the production model in New York. Now, it’s time to try out the 2019 Acura RDX in the real world. All new for this model year, the RDX gets the updates it badly needed to bring it up to date with the rest of its competition. That competition is fierce as well, as the compact luxury crossover market houses some of the most powerful names in the business. Volvo, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Infiniti – everyone’s here.



For the 2019 Acura RDX to successfully fight the headwinds it inevitably faces in such a hotly contested market, it doesn’t just have to look different. It has to drive and feel different as well. So does it? Here are our Top 10 Things You Need to Know about the all-new Acura RDX.

10) More Power and More Torque: 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft

Power comes from a 2.0-liter VTEC engine, and it makes nearly as much power as the current RDX’s 3.5-liter V6. On the new model, there’s 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque on tap, which is plenty to shift this compact luxury crossover along nicely.

9) 10-speed automatic transmission (first in the segment)

Not only does the RDX get a new engine, but it also gets a new transmission. The 2019 Acura RDX will downshift from 10th to 6th gear on the fly when you need to overtake. 1st gear is also 15% lower than before for quick acceleration, and 10th gear is 7% higher for improved fuel economy.

8) Super-Handing All-Wheel Drive

The Acura RDX has the brand’s emphatically-named Super Handling All-Wheel Drive as well. It can actually move 70% of the power to the rear wheels. Then, on top of that, it can shift all of that power to either the left rear wheel or the right rear wheel, depending on which has traction. Instead of braking the inner wheel to improve traction in the corners, this system actually moves the power to the outside to push the outer wheel through the corner for true torque vectoring

7) New chassis

The 2019 Acura RDX has a better suspension setup than before, all in pursuit of better handling. This time, the car has 5-link rear suspension, as well as adaptive damping on the front and rear. There’s also multiple drive modes, including Sport, Sport Plus. Comfort and a Snow mode.

[Photo: Acura]

6) Driving modes

Sticking with those driving modes, the 2019 Acura RDX has a prominently displayed dial to switch between them. Sport, Sport Plus, Comfort and Snow mode are yours to command by simply rotating that dial in either direction. Changing driving modes adjusts the throttle, steering, suspension, the all-wheel drive system, and the level of noise enhancement.

5) The competition

The 2019 Acura RDX pitches into battle among a crowded segment of luxury compact crossovers. There’s the Volvo XC60, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Audi Q5, to name just a few. There’s also the Lexus NX and the Infiniti QX50 to consider. So the Acura’s styling, handling process, and overall usability has to be strong to stand a chance against its European and Asian rivals.

[Photo: Acura]

[Photo: Acura]

4) New infotainment system

One of our complaints in the 2018 Acura MDX was its old-style infotainment system. Weirdly, the top screen was not a touchscreen, and that’s the 1 that housed the most important features, like Apple CarPlay. The 2019 Acura RDX switches that up by offering 2 touchpads to control the split screen of this new infotainment system. It’s fairly intuitive to use, and the voice controls – while not perfect – are much better than older infotainment systems.

3) The seats

Seats in the 2019 Acura RDX are comfortable and good-looking. They’re 16-way adjustable as well, which helps you dial them in just where you need them. Like all modern cars should, frankly, the new RDX also has thigh support, which helps tremendously to keep you comfortable on long trips.

2) Panoramic sunroof

There are 4 flavors of the 2019 Acura RDX. You can get a base model, the Technology Package, the A-Spec shown above, or the Advanced package. All of them come in front-wheel drive or with the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system. However, no matter which 1 you get, you still can have that massive panoramic sunroof.

[Photo: Acura]

1) The safest RDX ever

Acura has used high-strength steel throughout the body of the 2019 Acura RDX, as well as all the latest technology available to mitigate accidents happening in the first place. As a result, the company expects to receive a Top Safety Pick+ when crash test results for the new model come back.

Pricing isn’t available just yet, but we will bring you that information when Acura brings it to the public. Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more updates! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more news, views, and real-world, Canadian wilderness reviews.

oonowindoo

This is the first time in ..more than a decade i actually think Acura made a better product than its competitors in that segment (the 2.0T 4 banger CUV segment)

As long as Acura does not charge too much for it.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Looks like this will replace my aging 1g RDX!

TSX69

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...-launch-patch/

2019 Acura RDX will get Android Auto but not until after it's launched

Yes you'll have to wait, but the wait won't be long.


We've already taken a close look at the dashboard tech in the 2019 Acura RDX as we approach the premium SUV's launch in just a few days. The all-new AcuraLink with True Touch infotainment package fixes nearly all of the nitpicks and complaints that I had with the previous-generation tech suite. But between my initial look at the prototype at the Detroit Auto Show and my recent spin in the production car, one important feature has gone missing.




The new RDX was scheduled to launch with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as standard features, but when the car rolls onto dealerships on June 1st, only Apple's smartphone mirroring and apps suite will be on the features list. What gives?

49

2019 Acura RDX has a whole new way to do infotainment

Parent company Honda offers both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on its Android-based HondaLink display audio software. The new AcuraLink software is also Android-based, so it's not a stretch to assume Honda and Acura's systems share core software bones. This should have made porting features such as smartphone mirroring a snap. So why doesn't the 2019 Acura RDX offer Android Auto?




It turns out that Acura's new and novel control scheme is at the heart of the issue. Android Auto works well with traditional touchscreen setups (such as Honda's system) or physical rotary controllers (such as Audi's MMI system), but it doesn't play nicely with the new True Touch controller... yet.

Watch this: Check out Acura's new dashboard tech in the RDX prototype2:19

"Regarding Android Auto, there's actually no specification for Android that works with a touchpad," said Acura RDX Engineering Development Leader Stephen Frey at a media event last week. "[Google is] currently developing that right now and, when it's ready, it will be available to be applied onto vehicles on the market."




Basically, Acura worked with Google to get Android Auto working with the RDX's absolute-positioned touchpad control scheme -- which is sort of like a laptop's trackpad, but also very different -- but compatibility wasn't ready in time for the June 2018 launch window. So Android Auto compatibility was delayed. When the kinks are eventually ironed out, Acura will make the feature available via software update for all 2019 or newer RDX vehicles.

I've used Android for years and I don't like the idea of waiting without an idea of how long that wait will be. But it's nice to know that at least Acura's tech is headed in the right direction.




Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay seems to work just fine with the True Touch controller and will be standard at launch. You'll be able to find out just how well it works and dig into many more details about the 2019 Acura RDX when our 1st drive review hits the web Thursday morning. Stay tuned.

TSX69

First in a Generation: All-New 2019 Acura RDX Arrives in Showrooms June 1 - Acura News

RDX Design
The 2019 RDX is the first all-new model to fully express Acura's new exterior and interior design direction that first debuted in the Acura Precision Concept and Acura Precision Cockpit. The new RDX boasts a more premium and athletic stance with a longer wheelbase, shortened front overhang and wider track. The new design showcases Acura's signature diamond pentagon grille, next-generation Jewel Eye™ LED headlights and NSX-inspired front air curtains.

Inside, the new RDX impresses with sumptuous interior appointments, including available authentic brushed aluminum, stainless steel and Olive Ash wood accents, intricately sculpted sport seats, an ultra-wide panoramic moonroof and a high-deck floating center console that showcases the new True Touchpad Interface and the NSX-inspired drive mode dial.

With its 2.6-inch longer wheelbase and new packaging, the RDX provides expanded cabin space with class-leading rear legroom, a fully-flat rear floor, and a larger (+3.4 cubic feet) cargo area with an additional 1.7 cubic-feet of compartmented underfloor storage.



RDX Performance
The 2019 RDX is powered by a direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter, 16-valve powerplant with DOHC VTEC® valvetrain mated to the segment's only 10-speed automatic transmission (10AT). Peak output of 272 horsepower (SAE net) and 280 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net) bests RDX's key competitors, including Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volvo, and delivers 40 percent more low-end torque than the outgoing 3.5L V6 for powerful acceleration.

The all-new RDX redesign also heralds the return of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) to the RDX nameplate. This next-generation of Acura SH-AWD features improved rear-wheel torque capacity, up 40 percent over the previous-generation system, further amplifying the performance enhancing capabilities of Acura's dynamic torque vectoring technology. Now, up to 70% of torque can be distributed to the rear wheels, and up to 100% of that torque can be distributed to either the right-rear or left-rear wheel, creating outstanding control and agility. SH-AWD is among the most advanced all-wheel-drive systems available in a luxury automobile and the 2019 RDX is the first model to utilize this new generation.

All RDX models also come equipped with Acura's Integrated Dynamics System – with Snow, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes – providing the driver with an expanded range of dynamic experiences to suit their mood and the driving environment. The system interacts with the Drive-by-Wire™ throttle, 10-speed transmission, electric power steering, SH-AWD (if equipped) with torque vectoring, traction control, Active Damper System (on Advance grades) and Active Sound Control to provide a wider range of driving experiences and dynamic capabilities based on the needs of the driver and driving conditions.

RDX Technology
The 2019 RDX provides a more premium and tech-savvy cabin experience with the first application of Acura's True Touchpad Interface™, an all-new design that combines the advantages of both conventional touchscreen and remote-based approaches. The True Touchpad Interface™ features a 10.2-inch full-HD center display mounted high atop the center console, close to the driver's natural line of sight, and a center console-mounted touchpad that is precisely mapped, one-to-one, with the action on the center display – the world's first use of "absolute positioning" in the driving environment. (For more information on how the new True Touchpad Interface™, please watch a brief video

here" target="_blank">here

.)

The new RDX also marks the debut of the available Acura ELS Studio 3D™ premium audio, a 16-channel, 710-watt system featuring four ultra-slim Highline™ ceiling-mounted speakers. Another Acura first is a new natural language voice recognition system, which allows for more intuitive voice control of major features and functions, including commands for the available embedded Acura Navigation System. Also new is an available 10.5-inch full-color interactive Head-Up Display, which puts customizable information displays, including audio, phone, AcuraWatch alerts, turn-by-turn navigation and more, in the driver's line of sight.

Finally, the RDX features the latest generation of AcuraLink™, which features in-vehicle 4GLTE Wi-Fi, available over-the-air software updates and a wide array of cloud-based services, including emergency roadside assistance, remote locking/unlocking and engine start, stolen vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics, geofencing, speed tracking and more.

Development and ManufacturingThe 2019 Acura RDX is the first RDX to be designed and developed in America, designed at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, California, and developed in Raymond, Ohio. Like its predecessor, the new RDX is manufactured in East Liberty, Ohio5. The 2019 RDX's 2.0-liter VTEC® turbo engine is produced at the company's Anna, Ohio engine plant6. Its new SH-AWD™ system is manufactured at the company's Russels Point, Ohio transmission plant6, and its 10-speed automatic transmission is manufactured in the company's Tallapoosa, Georgia6.

For More Information
Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles. Consumer information is available at http://www.acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at https://acura.us/SocialChannels.

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, representing the original values of the Acura brand – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability.The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium, luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the 7-passenger Acura MDX, America's all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.Five of the six models in the Acura lineup are made exclusively in central Ohio using domestic and globally sourced parts, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.

# # #1 Based on cumulative total sales 2006-2018CYTD April of models in the compact luxury SUV segment, excludes MY2003 – 2009 Cadillac SRX.
2 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excluding tax, license, registration, $975 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
3 Based on cumulative total sales 2006-2018CYTD April of models in the compact luxury SUV segment, excludes MY2003 – 2009 Cadillac SRX.
4 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excluding tax, license, registration, $995 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
5 Based on 2019 EPA fuel economy ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
6 Using domestic and globally sourced parts.

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First in a Generation: All-New 2019 Acura RDX Arrives in Showrooms June 1 - Acura News

RDX Design
The 2019 RDX is the first all-new model to fully express Acura's new exterior and interior design direction that first debuted in the Acura Precision Concept and Acura Precision Cockpit. The new RDX boasts a more premium and athletic stance with a longer wheelbase, shortened front overhang and wider track. The new design showcases Acura's signature diamond pentagon grille, next-generation Jewel Eye™ LED headlights and NSX-inspired front air curtains.

Inside, the new RDX impresses with sumptuous interior appointments, including available authentic brushed aluminum, stainless steel and Olive Ash wood accents, intricately sculpted sport seats, an ultra-wide panoramic moonroof and a high-deck floating center console that showcases the new True Touchpad Interface and the NSX-inspired drive mode dial.

With its 2.6-inch longer wheelbase and new packaging, the RDX provides expanded cabin space with class-leading rear legroom, a fully-flat rear floor, and a larger (+3.4 cubic feet) cargo area with an additional 1.7 cubic-feet of compartmented underfloor storage.



RDX Performance
The 2019 RDX is powered by a direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-liter, 16-valve powerplant with DOHC VTEC® valvetrain mated to the segment's only 10-speed automatic transmission (10AT). Peak output of 272 horsepower (SAE net) and 280 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net) bests RDX's key competitors, including Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volvo, and delivers 40 percent more low-end torque than the outgoing 3.5L V6 for powerful acceleration.

The all-new RDX redesign also heralds the return of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) to the RDX nameplate. This next-generation of Acura SH-AWD features improved rear-wheel torque capacity, up 40 percent over the previous-generation system, further amplifying the performance enhancing capabilities of Acura's dynamic torque vectoring technology. Now, up to 70% of torque can be distributed to the rear wheels, and up to 100% of that torque can be distributed to either the right-rear or left-rear wheel, creating outstanding control and agility. SH-AWD is among the most advanced all-wheel-drive systems available in a luxury automobile and the 2019 RDX is the first model to utilize this new generation.

All RDX models also come equipped with Acura's Integrated Dynamics System – with Snow, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes – providing the driver with an expanded range of dynamic experiences to suit their mood and the driving environment. The system interacts with the Drive-by-Wire™ throttle, 10-speed transmission, electric power steering, SH-AWD (if equipped) with torque vectoring, traction control, Active Damper System (on Advance grades) and Active Sound Control to provide a wider range of driving experiences and dynamic capabilities based on the needs of the driver and driving conditions.

RDX Technology
The 2019 RDX provides a more premium and tech-savvy cabin experience with the first application of Acura's True Touchpad Interface™, an all-new design that combines the advantages of both conventional touchscreen and remote-based approaches. The True Touchpad Interface™ features a 10.2-inch full-HD center display mounted high atop the center console, close to the driver's natural line of sight, and a center console-mounted touchpad that is precisely mapped, one-to-one, with the action on the center display – the world's first use of "absolute positioning" in the driving environment. (For more information on how the new True Touchpad Interface™, please watch a brief video

here" target="_blank">here

.)

The new RDX also marks the debut of the available Acura ELS Studio 3D™ premium audio, a 16-channel, 710-watt system featuring four ultra-slim Highline™ ceiling-mounted speakers. Another Acura first is a new natural language voice recognition system, which allows for more intuitive voice control of major features and functions, including commands for the available embedded Acura Navigation System. Also new is an available 10.5-inch full-color interactive Head-Up Display, which puts customizable information displays, including audio, phone, AcuraWatch alerts, turn-by-turn navigation and more, in the driver's line of sight.

Finally, the RDX features the latest generation of AcuraLink™, which features in-vehicle 4GLTE Wi-Fi, available over-the-air software updates and a wide array of cloud-based services, including emergency roadside assistance, remote locking/unlocking and engine start, stolen vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics, geofencing, speed tracking and more.

Development and ManufacturingThe 2019 Acura RDX is the first RDX to be designed and developed in America, designed at the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, California, and developed in Raymond, Ohio. Like its predecessor, the new RDX is manufactured in East Liberty, Ohio5. The 2019 RDX's 2.0-liter VTEC® turbo engine is produced at the company's Anna, Ohio engine plant6. Its new SH-AWD™ system is manufactured at the company's Russels Point, Ohio transmission plant6, and its 10-speed automatic transmission is manufactured in the company's Tallapoosa, Georgia6.

For More Information
Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles. Consumer information is available at http://www.acura.com. Follow Acura on social media at https://acura.us/SocialChannels.

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, representing the original values of the Acura brand – a commitment to evocative styling, high performance and innovative engineering, all built on a foundation of quality and reliability.The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium, luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, the 7-passenger Acura MDX, America's all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV and the next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.Five of the six models in the Acura lineup are made exclusively in central Ohio using domestic and globally sourced parts, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.

# # #1 Based on cumulative total sales 2006-2018CYTD April of models in the compact luxury SUV segment, excludes MY2003 – 2009 Cadillac SRX.
2 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excluding tax, license, registration, $975 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
3 Based on cumulative total sales 2006-2018CYTD April of models in the compact luxury SUV segment, excludes MY2003 – 2009 Cadillac SRX.
4 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) excluding tax, license, registration, $995 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.
5 Based on 2019 EPA fuel economy ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
6 Using domestic and globally sourced parts.

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https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2...arts-at-37300/

2019 Acura RDX pricing announced, starts at $37,300

The all-new premium compact SUV keeps its price in check, despite offering more standard and optional equipment.

• by
• Antuan Goodwin

May 29, 2018 5:00 AM PDT

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

The 2019 Acura RDX boasts a new "Precision Concept" based look, a more potent powertrain and more tech than ever before. I won't be able to tell you what it's like to drive the 2019 Acura RDX until Thursday, but I can tell you how much compact premium SUV will cost.




The 2019 RDX will start at $37,300 for the base model before a $995 destination charge applied to all models. That's the same price as the 2018 model year's base plus the optional AcuraWatch driver aid suite. That's convenient considering that AcuraWatch is now standard on all 2019 RDX models. Technically, this means the RDX's starting price is unchanged when you account for the additional equipment.Andrew Krok/Roadshow That's looking like a pretty good deal at first blush considering the 2019 RDX also features a new generation AcuraLink infotainment with True Touch interface, Apple CarPlay compatibility, a panoramic moonroof and 12-way power front seats as new standard features. Android Auto will be missing at launch due to technical reasons, but should be added via software update sometime down the road.




The midtier Tech trim level rolls out at $40,500, adding voice commands and navigation, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring, parking sensors, leather seats and a 12-speaker ELS premium audio system. An A-Spec upgrade to the Tech model adds unique exterior and interior styling, UltraSuede seat trim and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio upgrade for $43,500.

Watch this: 2019 Acura RDX brings NSX inspiration to New York1:35

Finally the top-tier RDX Advance gains an adaptive suspension, improved active sound damping, a surround-view camera system and a head-up display upgrade to the AcuraLink tech. Sixteen-way power seats, a hands-free power liftgate and many more bits and bobs round out this $45,400 trim level.

All 2019 Acura RDX models are powered by the same 2.0-liter turbocharged VTEC engine making 272 horsepower and a vastly improved 280 pound-feet of torque with a standard 10-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. An improved fourth-generation of Acura's Super Handling All-wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system is available with a $2,000 option for all models.




Stay tuned for more photos, videos and driving impressions when our First Drive publishes later this week.

Saintor

Nobody is talking mpg rationally yet.

Sounds like a non-improvement, *marketing style*.

Sarlacc

Sarlacc

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2019 Acura RDX First Drive: The Hitman - Motor Trend

2019 Acura RDX 1st Drive: The Hitman

Doesn’t talk much, always gets the job done

Scott Evans Words, Manufacturer PhotosMay 30, 2018

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Let’s be honest with ourselves: If they made The Transporter today, Jason Statham’s character would drive an SUV. It’s the way of the world now. If he wanted to be inconspicuous, he’d drive a perennial best-seller like the RDX, but equipped with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive for the chase scenes.




Regardless of franchise, the character is always the same: square jaw, finely tailored suit, obsessed with precision and discipline. He’s generally dispassionate and ruthlessly effective. If he were a car, he’d be the 2019 Acura RDX.

View all 165 Photos

The RDX is the first of a new generation of Acura vehicles aimed to reanimate the brand’s classic “Precision Crafted Performance” philosophy. At the same time, though, it’s Acura’s bread-and-butter product. It had to be approached with the same sort of rigid discipline and single-minded determination to get it right. It’s reflected in the car’s personality: cool, collected, self-assured, and unflappable. Passionate for precision, not passionate for passion.

Watch Acura RDX Prototype Teased Before Detroit

You get the measure of it the moment you step on the gas. The RDX has a devious quickness; the speedometer always seems to be gaining ground far faster than the world outside is blurring. There’s no lurch forward as you take off, no press into the seat. The isolation from speed is such that the nagging thought you could get out and run faster lasts all the way up to the moment you look down (or into the optional head-up display) to see you’re grossly exceeding the speed limit. It’s not remarkably fast for a small SUV, but it’s quicker than you realize.




The engine, a 2.0-liter turbo-four that essentially comes from the sublime Honda Accord, goes about its business with only audible drama (exaggerated by way of the stereo). Although peak horsepower is down compared to the previous V-6, torque is up, and both measurements boast fatter curves. As a result, a gentle swell of power is always on hand when you need it, even in Comfort mode. The buttery-smooth 10-speed automatic is never in the wrong gear and can drop four cogs at a time should you demand it.

View all 165 Photos

Acura imagines many of its customers will be stepping up from sport sedans to sport utilities, which usually means a trade-off in terms of dynamic performance. RDX buyers will appreciate the moderately sharper response of Sport mode, which remains engaged even after shutdown and restart. However, most will find Sport+ mode a bit much—all snappy throttle and gears held to redline, like watching a well-choreographed fight scene on fast-forward.




The chassis reads from the same script. The RDX moves down the road with technical sophistication and reassuring confidence, but it’s a dispassionate virtuosity. It doesn’t flow through corners. It dispenses with them. The body remains flat in the bends, so the vehicle never develops a rhythm. It just does the job you ask of it and moves on to the next. The steering has a bit of weightiness in the Sport modes and offers a hint of road feedback, but just enough of each to remind you the vehicle really is sporty in a calculating way.




Contributing greatly to all this is the optional Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, whose name and provenance suggest a hardcore personality the vehicle doesn’t possess. One would expect its torque-vectoring magic would lie in its ability to overdrive the outside wheels and push you harder out of a curve. Although it does do that if you drive like a maniac, the real magic hides in plain sight in that you don’t feel it working all the time. As such, you don’t notice power transfer to the rear or side to side, because the system doesn’t wait until the front wheels slip to respond. It doesn’t feel like high-performance torque vectoring, and that’s the point.

View all 165 Photos

Some people will find this dispassionate precision downright boring, but if the market wanted luxury crossovers to drive like sports cars, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio would dominate this class on the sales charts. Instead, the RDX does. Most customers like the somewhat disconnected performance Audi trades on, and it’s easy to see where Acura set its benchmarks (Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, and Volvo XC60). Anyone can get in an RDX and comfortably and confidently drive very quickly.




For all of the RDX’s carefully planned and executed strikes on the luxury buyer’s wants and needs, it doesn’t land every punch. A particular misgiving is the brake pedal. There’s almost no initial bite, an unpleasant surprise that makes you jump on it harder.




At that point the pedal firms up and the vehicle slows appropriately, but with zero pedal feedback. It doesn’t inspire confidence in the least, but you learn to drive around it. Acura says its engineers did this to prevent passengers’ heads from being whipped forward by grabby brakes. It’s a laudable goal, but the execution is a miss.

Similarly disappointing but far less critical is the tire noise. Acura was confident enough in the RDX to bring similarly specced competitor vehicles for back-to-back drives. Although this demonstrated the RDX’s competitive attributes, it also highlighted how loud its tires are compared to the Europeans’. They’re by no means deafening, but they stand out in an otherwise whisper-quiet cabin.




There’s an easy workaround: pay for the ELS Studio 3D audio system upgrade. Its 16 speakers and 710 watts deliver a quality of sound typically found in luxury cars costing double the RDX’s MSRP. Placing you in the seventh row at Carnegie Hall while driving a car is no easy task, but they’ve nailed it.




The stereo is but one highlight of the new interior. Another: the seats. Front and rear,they provide an easy-chair plushness without sacrificing support. They’re nicely bolstered and contour perfectly with your body. This is especially notable in the second row, where automakers often skimp on comfort. Here again, it’s worth paying extra for the Advance model, which adds upgraded seats with power side bolsters and thigh support. Either way you go, the seats are finished in the same buttery leather that (along with olive wood and aluminum trim) also wraps much of the cabin.

View all 165 Photos

The third component of Acura’s interior trifecta is the True Touchpad Interface. Rather than a rotary knob or a touchscreen, a touchpad above the push-button gear selector is mapped to the standard 10.2-inch infotainment screen. That is, if you touch the top left corner of the touchpad, it highlights whatever’s in the top left corner of the screen. It’s different from a laptop touchpad (or a Lexus) in that there’s no cursor to find and follow. There’s a steep learning curve before it becomes muscle memory. I recommend spending a lot of time with it in the showroom or your garage before you use it while driving. Once you get it, though, it’s completely intuitive.




The screen is as customizable as a smartphone. Every function is an app with an icon you can drag and drop wherever you want. You can make your spouse’s number or your home address into an app and put it right on the home screen for easy access. The touchpad is also tied to the optional head-up display, and any app on your home screen can be added to the head-up menu. We could spend the whole review on just this new interface, but it’d be easier to go try it yourself. The only downside is a lack of sharpness to the images provided by the reverse and 360-degree cameras, especially as the rear window is unusually impacted for an Acura.




This is the story of the new RDX, really. It’s packed with features and demonstrates a sophisticated mechanical prowess, but it’s particular about things. It’s clinical and precise, in some ways to a fault, but balanced with obvious value and features. Like the hit man, the RDX is no nonsense up front, but there’s an underlying warmth and desire to please once you get to know it.