98AccordEx

Seems we might have to wait until 2006 to see this as Honda CEO's report states production is set to begin in 2006 in Ohio for the RDX. Only hope is that production would begin elsewhere in 2005 and it would be imported - is the RDX going to be sold elsewhere?? Does it have a Honda name yet for JDM sales??

heyitsme

kurt_bradley

Look look! Tom's still alive. Long time no see.

provench

I for one am pulling for Steven24's prediction

Time to find The Oracle ... and soon ... we need someone to get some info style.

provench

Any idea how how something like this is gonna compare in legroom to the TSX? Cargo space? Time to go check out some stats on the X3.

provench

So here are some interesting stats:

BMW X3

Exterior
Length: 179.7 in.
Width: 73 in.
Height: 66 in.
Wheel Base: 110.1 in.
Ground Clearance: 8 in.
Curb Weight: 4023 lbs.
Gross Weight: 5049 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 38.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 55.8 in.
Front Leg Room: 40.2 in.
Rear Head Room: 37.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 55.4 in.
Rear Leg Room: 35.8 in.
Luggage Capacity: 33 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 71 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

TSX

Exterior
Length: 183.3 in.
Width: 69.4 in.
Height: 57.3 in.
Wheel Base: 105.1 in.
Ground Clearance: 4.7 in.
Curb Weight: 3230 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 37.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 55.4 in.
Front Leg Room: 42.4 in.
Rear Head Room: 37.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 53.5 in.
Rear Leg Room: 34.2 in.
Luggage Capacity: 13 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

jcg878

The people carrying capacity of SUVs is overrated. My TSX is more comfortable for backseat passengers than my folks' Pathfinder (at least for 2).

provench

Yeah - this small SUV's are definetly a departure from what folks think of when they think SUV. So what are the biggest benefits of the RDX over a TSX?

Let's start a list ...

1) AWD
2) More luggage space
3) ...?

jcg878

2.1) Ability to just toss a bike in the back.

I can take off the front wheel and seatpost of mine and fit it in with the seats down, but it would be a piece of cake in a small SUV.

(I couldn't do this in a TL, which bothers me)


edit: 3) Criticism of your sexuality by less-secure males

phile

^ Whoa, nice find.

provench

Yeah - and 2.2) Ability to access all space at once (back seats down and you have a huge flat storage area ... I guess that's a big plus.

I am really thinking AWD makes this thing a snow belt dream vehicle? That seems to be the biggest one going ... hmmm ... wonder if that matters to a guy in NC

kurt_bradley

4) The 2 more inches of ground clearance vs the TSX allows you to clear the neighbor's cat, but not be able to go off-road.

provench

I think if this list is hard to create ... something is wierd ... aren't these type of vehicles selling like hotcakes?

I just have never owned something like this so not sure how utilitarian is really is vs. a sedan (or wagon for that matter)

phile

I don't know about the utilitarian factor, but it's very convenient. The load height is just about right...you never have to reach down to get anything like you would do so in a sedan.

provench

Looks like RDX will be built in Ohio:

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=311343

In addition ... from Jeff@TOV:

"Odds are that the CR-V will be built in East Liberty, and the upcoming RDX in Marysville.

word has it that the RDX will be a variant of the Accord platform, so it makes more sense for it to be built in Marysville, while the Element, CR-V and Civic are all built in the East Liberty plant."

RDX based on Accord platform?

provench

And for those that haven't seen the RDX concept "spy shot"

http://www.honda-acura.net/forums/sh....php?p=2084390

provench

I think I am figured out why I trade cars so often ... it's fun as heck tracking a new major model release I just need to line up with Honda/Acura's 4 year redesign plan and I'll be set

provench

I am definetly looking at the RDX to replace my TSX in a few years But I also told myself that my next Acura would be AWD+IMA ... soooooo ...

phile

I do like the fact that Acura is trying more daring designs. if you look at that spy pic, you can see how the headlights go up and then down to the side...don't think I've ever seen that in a production car.

keg1997

Agreed! I own both and we take the PF on more trips b.c of the cargo bay. But for people only...I'd take the TSX in a heartbeat.

It's scary but with a newborn (plus a dog), I'm thinking that we need to look more at the large utes....

dom

If I were provench's wife <--- Divorce papers

keg1997

Having had a mid-size SUV for 3 years...
1. They are great to be able to haul stuff.
2. Nice to have 4WD for all those snowy VA winters
3. (most important) Wifey likes having a truck. This is huge to her...she came from a Prelude to our PF and will not be going back to a car anytime soon. She's a girly girl but definitely likes that image of having a tough looking SUV (won't look at a Pilot b/c it looks too wimpy). She seems to really like being able to buy a bunch of stuff and not worrying about fitting it in to a car. I'd gripe at her if she put her plants and stuff in my TSX but I don't say a word when she drops the seats in the Pathfinder and puts it back there.


My ideal garage would have:
1. 4 door sedan
2. A SUV for wifey
3. Beater pickup truck to do hauling that I don't want to put in SUV or won't go in SUV (bought a grill last week and it would not fit (fully assembled) in the PF)
4. Fun drop-top

I'm 66% there since I have 1 and 2 and have ready access to Father-in-laws F150 (I've already put my claim in for it ). The convertible will be another few years....

biker

One of the reason my wife wants a small SUV is cause she thinks she can see out if it better - with todays' high beltlines of most sedans she can't see out well.

dom

What are you planning on getting?

biker

CR-V for now but if the wife can see out of the new Civic that's also a possibility. She can't go too fancy cause once you get to an RD-X or even a 3 series you can't get cloth seats which she said are a must.

98AccordEx

Here's a much closer comparison and a possibly good indicator for the RD-X:

BMW X3

Exterior
Length: 179.7 in.
Width: 73 in.
Height: 66 in.
Wheel Base: 110.1 in.
Ground Clearance: 8 in.
Curb Weight: 4023 lbs.
Gross Weight: 5049 lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 38.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 55.8 in.
Front Leg Room: 40.2 in.
Rear Head Room: 37.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 55.4 in.
Rear Leg Room: 35.8 in.
Luggage Capacity: 33 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 71 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5


Honda CR-V SE

Exterior
Length: 181.1 in.
Width: 70.2 in.
Height: 66.2 in.
Wheel Base: 103.3 in.
Ground Clearance: 8.1 in.
Curb Weight: 3494 lbs.
Gross Weight: ???? lbs.

Interior
Front Head Room: 39.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 56.9 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.3 in.
Rear Head Room: 39.1 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 56.5 in.
Rear Leg Room: 39.4 in.
Luggage Capacity: 33.5 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 72 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5


I know the RD-X isn't going to be based on the CR-V but I'll guess they had the size of the CR-V in mind when they designed it so it could slot under the MDX.

biker

When I see stats like that I wonder - where is that 500 extra pounds hidden in the X3? That's why staright line performance wise a CR-V LX (3300lbs) could probably have no problem keeping up with a 4000lb X3 2.5 even though on paper it has a big HP deficit.

titan

Very nice spy shot.

provench

Don't hand her the pen just yet ... I am just loooooooking

phile

What's the difference between curb and gross weight? That's a disparity of over 1,000 pounds between the two!

provench

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) is the weight of the car + the weight of its maximum payload.

phile

I see. Thanks.

98AccordEx

Great new article availalbe at Canadianautopress.com

http://canadianautopress.auto123.com...py?artid=33502

Really summarizes the RD-X possibilities especially as to platform and build location.

Excerpt:

Basing the new SUV on the brand's nimble TSX sedan makes a great deal of sense, that is if satisfying those customers who buy into the Acura name for its sporting pretenses. The TSX is the right size for a slightly larger than compact sport utility, and it offers a powerful 4-cylinder as part of the package.

The RD-X needs to be smaller than the MDX, which means the Honda CR-V, or possibly the next generation version, will donate its overall architecture

Godwhacker

rrrrrr....I love my CR-V, so I was hoping that it would just be like the CR-V, but with more power and lux. Guess I will have to look elsewhere...

The "spy photo" looks kinda like a mini Cadillac SRX..very wagon-like looking SUV

phile

Yeah, I like SUVs to be a little more upright looking, not just a high sitting wagon, which the Caddy SRX looks exactly like.

I can't wait too see this so called wood interior that resembles a luxury loft. Acura uses fake wood on everything except the RL; I doubt they'll start using real wood on the RDX all of a sudden.

Stevens24

I'm still hearing that it will be based off of the the new CR-v platform. Remember that the TSX gets a HP boost for next year as well. The RDX will be a fairly limited supply vehicle, 25-30k units per year max. I'm going to go out on a limb and say a K24 with 225 hp and a 25 to 50 hp ima boost. NAV will be the only option, and priced in the 30-35 k range.

provench

IMA ... that is the deal. IMHO - If it gets VCM/IMA like the Accord ... the RDX is going to fly off the lots, if not ... they are gonna have another issue where it's tough to differentiate from the competition. I just gotta imagine Honda/Acura have a few more IMA modes in the next 2 years and my guess/hope is this is one of em

jcg878

It would be a good move

provench

... and I think for me personally (especially after some quality bonding time cleaning my car today) ... without IMA ... I am not even going to give the RDX a 2nd look.

jcg878

If you would like some quality time with my car, you have permission to clean it. I'll be in Virginia next Friday - you can meet up with me. I'll bring towels