ultramart

I used to race 125cc karts and mini-GP bikes. On race tracks of course. I think I could be included in the 'driving person' category. :-)

I agree with you 100% on the self-driving cars. Many people will misuse them. i.e. the woman who put his cat in the microwave oven to dry it. LOL

Just because they call them SUV doesn't mean they're sport vehicles. Heck, do you remember the Chevrolet Trans Sport? LOL Like most SUVs, the RDX is sporty but it's not a sport car. It's heavy, it's center of gravity is high, etc. It's a very functional vehicle, great for everyday life. Why would they include features that are needed on a real sport car (a shifter and a clutch, racing seats, low profile tires, etc) but that would be a disadvantage in the SUV category?

Madd Dog

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

Well, if you don't think the A-Spec versions of the RDX and MDX is not "sporty" then I guess Acura wasted a LOT of money. On the contrary....that move by Acura is causing sales to go up....in the TLX for sure! My dealer sells 80%
A-Spec versions of the TLX. Wait till the RDX comes out!!

So, that was my earlier point. I get what you are saying about SUV's in general....but, look at the A-Spec AND other manufacturers that are doing the same thing with their SUV's....redoing them to be more sporty! Why, 'cause trucks
and SUV's are paying the bills and putting money in the bank for them. The '19 RDX is WAY different than it's predecessor....and I've owned 3 of them. Esp. what they did to the A-Spec version. Hell of a lot sportier than Gen 2 RDX's.

So, again, for me and I KNOW for many upcoming buyers of the A-Spec RDX...they will say it's a LOT sportier than what it is replacing. Suspension..come on....SH-Awd, fat, low profile 20" wheels and tires, etc, etc. Although personally
I think that stopping at 19" wheels and tires would have been fine. Could have gone to a lower profile and fancy wheel in 19" compared to the other RDX models.

Sporty, fun, handling, looks....not your grandmas SUV!! LOL! It needs a shifting arm. Put the push buttons on the Advance then. A-Spec version....no....not needed....overkill. Form over function. Gave engineers job security. "Oh look boss what I've designed!" A new way of shifting that we really don't need, but, we can convince some folks on Accurazine.com that it's the best thing since...oh.....the Dodge dash mounted push button auto trans. from the '50's!
That's 1950's for you younger folks out there.

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

The "air bag/horn button?" The tach/speedo gauge pod?

Yeah, that's what our HS driving instructors taught back in "the day." LOL!! Seriously, how many real car drivers...car people....don't rest their hand on the shifter? Most do...since they are a "driving person"....so ready to shift, esp if it's
a stick. Habit if it's an auto. I do it...but, my hand isn't on it ALL the time...but, it's a comfy place to be IF you are a "sporty guy that loves to drive." I've watched many guys and gals drive their cars over the years while I was a passenger,
and their right hand was often on the shifter. It's just kinda natural.

Sometimes I find myself reaching for "a shifter" on my new TLX A-Spec....and it's....FRUSTRATING!!

And I KNOW not everyone for sure drives with 2 hands on the wheel at all times. Boy, that will open a can of worms huh? LOL. I sometimes have my right arm on the console and my hand somewhat gently resting on the shifter. It's just
"normal" for me...and I know for many DRIVERS out there. Shifting has been part of the automobile since....it's beginning. Push buttons failed with Chrysler products many yrs ago. I hope they fail for all the manufacturers that use them
now. Just my take. I guess you got to be over...at least what.....45 or so. ???? To really "get it" and appreciate the shifting arm.

ultramart

Sorry for you but there will be no shifter on the '19 RDX... No place to put your arm. The good news is, with the added free space, you could velcro a dog basket on the center console, put your Chihuahua in it (you have one, right?) and pet it while you drive.

I'm just kidding! :-) I get that don't like the push buttons and I respect that. And like I said before, maybe I will miss the shift lever too.

Have a nice evening.

Carbon2008RDX

Over 45 for sure. I turn 53 very soon. I had a 2015 TLX loaner with the button shifter and hated it while my RDX was in for service. Plus, it had the super sloppy 9-speed tranny which was horrible. Was so happy to get back into my RDX with a "normal" transmission and a "normal" shift lever. Side note: That 9-speed with the 290 H.P. engine could melt the front tires from a dead stop.

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

Yes, the '15 TLX had it's early multi gear trans issues. Not now. I have an '18 TLX A-Spec and it's a smooth and fun trans. 4 Dynamic drive modes...Sport + is paddle shifters only....and can be fun. It is very quick and the trans shifts
with the paddles at least 50% quicker than the paddle shifting on the 6 spd...that my RDX's had and have. It's not a Ferrari and won't shift in a nano second....but, this car for the money....it's fast and fun with the paddles.

I agree though...my '17 RDX is "normal and is fun and easy with a normal shifter. My 2nd Gen RDX's have always been very quick too. I have left stop lights/signs in a huge leap and the engines rev up and shift great. I've had a few
"kids" that thought their Audi was going to kick my butt......uhhh, that didn't happen! LOL!! The 2nd Gen. RDX has always surprised me just how quick it is from a dead start. I know it's in the gearing of the trans and differential. I've
owned 3 of them. Still have my '17. Not so sure if I'll get the '19. It will have to really "blow me away" for me to trade for it. I would like to have that new 3D ELS sound system in my '17!!

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

LOL....no Chihuahua...did I spell that right? LOL. No....not an "ankle biter dog guy." Drive that push button "form over function" freaky trans and you will miss the "old shift arm....I'm sure of it!!" LOL!!

The only thing I can do with my sometimes spare arm/hand is pet the wife or keep drinking from my mug. Oh, I could text like the kids do when they are driving! Damn that's scary!
And I know...you crazies out there can come up with all kinds of things to do....but, let's keep it clean!

Down with the "form over function....not necessary push button trannies!!" LOL!!

birdonamission

So, it looks like I will have to shed a tear or two...not seeing any indication whatsoever that the Advance will have power-folding side-view mirrors -- something I really, REALLY wanted and would've paid extra for as an option, if I had to. Oh, well.

Has anyone seen anything about the car's "wingspan," counting the fully extended side view mirrors? I want to know how easy (or hard) it would be to squeeze into my side of the garage, which has a pillar between two door openings.

FreddyBeach

That does seem just so strange that power folding mirrors would not be standard on the RDX - Advance when they and heated rear seats have been standard on the Canadian Technology model for 3 years now. Unlike the Lexus RX350, the mirrors do not automatically fold when your turn the engine off, but I can live that that. Not an feature that I use a lot however it certainly is nice when pulling in to tight parking spots. Personally, I would give up the heated rear seats in exchange for a heated steering wheel!

I also read last week that the engine in the 2019 RDX will have 272 HP, down 7 HP from the current model.

chickdr

The power specs have been out for a while now. Torque is higher than the V6, of course, so performance should be similar if not better. What I will be interested to see are the MPG ratings. I am betting they are almost identical to the V6 which begs the question, why go to a turbo 4 if there isn't an MPG advantage?

MrJames

HP numbers are a bit misleading. The 2019 has more power through most of the power band. The V6 has few more peak HP above 5500 RPM and that's it.
Attachment 99126

FreddyBeach

I totally agree with you. With my 2016 RDX - Tech I got mileage as good as 7.7lt/100 km on the highway, which works out to 36 mpg (Cdn). Considering the size of the vehicle and the HP of the V6 I have pretty darn pleased with that. Traded my 2016 RDX-Tech for a 2018 RDX-Tech. Decided that I will wait for some long-term tests and some of the bugs are cleared up before buying a 2019/ 2020 model.

birdonamission

I know! What plausible reason is there that Canada will get power-folding side-view mirrors on the RDX, but not the U.S.?? If someone will just explain that I can more easily move on and not be haunted and tormented about it. HA HA! (J/K, it's not that serious).

But for real, there are lots of cars in the U.S., premium brand or not, that have this feature. Makes no sense whatsoever. Grrrr... OK, rant over.

Madd Dog

FreddyBeach

From the pictures I have seen, if there is a spare tire it certainly is not in the floor like previous RDX models. Only other place would be under the tailgate where it is on the MDX. I had a Mazda Miata that did not have a spare tire and I never felt comfortable driving it.

chickdr

I find it amusing how there is all the talk of the Turbo 4 being an upgrade over the V6 when the DI V6 is still the standard motor in most of the other large Honda's(Pilot/Ridgeline/Odyssey) and Acura's(TLX/MDX/RLX). The 2.0T has the potential to out power the 3.5 DI (>300hp in the Civic Type R) so why isn't it replacing all the 3.5 V6's? The reason? IMHO a 2.0T 4 cylinder is never going to have the smoothness needed to be accepted in a true luxury car. The German's are putting them into the base E class, A6, and 5 series, but you still have optional V6's on the menu. I think Honda should have gone with the 290hp 3.5 from the TLX and bumped the power in the MDX to 300. To me all the smoke and mirrors of the "40% more torque" etc are obscuring the whole picture. The new RDX is not going to have the refined, smooth nature of the outgoing V6 and there will be no option to rectify this issue.

FreddyBeach

chickdr, totally agree with your point of view which is one of the reasons why I purchased a 2018 RDX. This V6 is just so smooth and quiet. I am not discounting the fact that I may have to purchase a MDX in 2 years time if it still has the 3.5 L engine then. Read an article last week suggesting that the new and revised MDX will have a 2.0L turbo engine..

FreddyBeach

chickdr, totally agree with your point of view which is one of the reasons why I purchased a 2018 RDX. This V6 is just so smooth and quiet. I am not discounting the fact that I may have to purchase a MDX in 2 years time if it still has the 3.5 L engine then. Read an article last week suggesting that the new and updated MDX will have a 2.0L turbo engine..

ZipSpeed

There's still a chance that we may eventually see a RDX Type-S with the 3.0T one day, but if a six is an absolute must, you'll have to look elsewhere. With that said, you have to keep in mind that a significant part of the population are not car enthusiasts like we are. They probably can't even differentiate the difference between a four or six cylinder, and why one is smoother than the other. My wife certainly can't. To her, it's all the same. Reminds me when V8s were being replaced with turbo sixes. People complaining that a six cylinder will never rumble or be a smooth as a V8. With CAFE standards and a movement towards better fuel efficiency, that's just the world we live. Personally, haven driven turbo fours in the past, I have no issue going to one. I do like the V6 in my TLX but I do miss that low end torque.

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

Exactly! That's what I've been "beating on" here with different threads. I've owned MANY 3.5 V6 Honda Motor Corp engines....in Hondas and Acuras. I've like them all....they are smooth, strong, AND have always given great gas
mileage. Always get right at 22 mpg in just city driving...and always 30+ on the highway. NO reason for the turbo 4! That's why I wrote in one thread that my future U.S. travel vehicle will be an MDX. I was asked...just 2 of you,
more room than you need, RDX or a TLX will do the same, on and on. MDX sits higher...a HUGE plus when navigating the country's highways and byways. Plenty of room IF I need it or want it...and I'd rather have that V6
hauling me all over than that turbo 4. I wouldn't be concerned one bit about that 3.5, 290 hp MDX engine. The turbo 4 in the RDX...I would be. I guess it's because all my history with the 3.5. It's done me right. Just a great engine.
And great mileage...even in the MDX, for a bigger and heavier SUV than my RDX's.

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

I will be really crushed IF the MDX were to go to a turbo 4 engine. IF that were to come about, I would buy the LAST MDX with the 3.5!!! Enough already...with the RDX going backwards in the eng. dept....the MDX needs to keep the V6.
Can't tow with the turbo 4!! So, maybe that fact will keep the V6 going. There has to be a REASON to switch....well, a good "common sense one"......IF they were to put a 300+ hp turbo 4 in the MDX....from the Civic Type R....then
that's going backwards. For what purpose? Worse gas mileage than the 3.5!!

Drives me crazy. BMW has great in line 6's...yes with a turbo...but, those in line 6's are smooth, strong and great engines. In line 6 cyl. engines have always been smooth and strong. Loved my Toyota Supras!!

Madd Dog

chickdr

Semantics Madd Dog.. BMW offers an I6 turbo in the new X3. The point is, you get a 6 cylinder option with the Germans. Irrelevant if they are FI, or not as they still have smoothness in spades over an I4. I am not talking about power. We all know 2.0T's can make the power of an NA V6 in most cases(my S54 I6 N/A 3.2l with 330hp is an outlier....). The power delivery and smoothness are what I am talking about.

Madd Dog

chickdr

I don't know if they are "happy about it" they just don't have a choice at the low end. My friend picked up his new 530i yesterday. Is it nice? Yep. Does it run well? Yep? But the X3 M40i I test drove while he was signing the paperwork is just that much nicer with the smooth 6 cylinder motor. Maybe Honda needs to make a nice new 3.0T to replace the 3.5, but while they do, the DI 3.5 does just fine in its current role.

Madd Dog

90 HP will do that for a car.


The 2.0 10Speed is out there. Test the Accord with it, and decide if you want a leftover RDX with the 6 or the new one with the 4.

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

I'm with you here on the venerable 3.5 V6. I had thought about "maybe" going to a 3.0 turbo V6, but, would that then just equal the fuel mileage that the 3.5 DI engine gets? Then what would be the need to do that?
Keep what you have...I'm sure there is still a little refinement that can be done, but, to me not much else is needed.

Like you said...it is doing just find in it's current role! Couldn't agree more. And they better keep it in the MDX!! LOL!! I will be buying one for sure if they do. Have always planned on getting the MDX for my U.S.A. road trip tour!

chickdr

I already have a '16 so won't be trading for an '18. Actually no more Acura's for me after this one due to the issues I have had. I will be going another direction next time around.

Subpar

Here are the advance trim details I got from my dealer, hopefully, it answers any questions:

• Adaptive Damper System
• 16-Way Front Seats w/ Ventilation
• ELS 3D Audio
• HUD
• Real Wood Trim
• Surround View Camera
• Hands-Free Assist Tailgate
• LED Fog LIghts
• Rear Heated Seats
• Heated Steering Wheel
• Rain-Sensing Wipers
• Rear Load Sill Metal Garnish
• Rear Camera Washer

19RDX

Honda is developing a V6 turbo.

https://tiremeetsroad.com/2017/12/14...-new-v6-turbo/

Colorado Guy AF Ret.

This has already been addressed and printed out at these forums. Nothing new here.

mapleloaf

Cuz we are nicer and more polite......or because we pay significantly more?

birdonamission

I don't know about all that, but OK. If you say so.

Whether you pay significantly more is immaterial. The car is not cheap whether in Canada or the U.S., and I'm sure some of us Americans can afford paying for power-folding side-view mirrors...

AZ4035

I'm hoping we can retrofit the power folding mirrors from Canadian models in the future. My house has a narrow driveway and I've already nicked the passenger side window while driving in on a gutter drain.

Madd Dog