pmartone

My 2021 RDX SHAWD Advance is being built next week in OH, and I’ve been told I’ll get it by late July.
I’m looking forward to replacing my 2015 “trouble-free” Acura TLX Advance SHAWD; it’s just time for a new car and I want to sit up higher now.
While I know that this is the third year for this model which began with the 2019 model, and I anticipate little-to-no cosmetic/appearance changes, I wonder what kind of software updates/improvements I might be benefitting from with the 2021 model.
I don’t know what my “out the door” price is yet, but I expect it won’t be as good as getting the 2020 car of my choice that’s been sitting outside in the Wx in the lot for the last 140+days; I don’t want a car that’s been sitting in the Wx for 3-4 months due to COVID-induced declining sales since March.
Since this will be my 6th new Acura from this dealership, I know I’ll get an amazing price.
I welcome any info from anyone who might know what the subtle changes are for the 2021 models.
Thank you in advance.

Jordster

Hi There,

I ordered one of the last of the 2020s. I’m getting it next week. They told me at least early September for a 2021 before I’d actually get it.

I can’t wait that long.... I hope I made the right choice. It doesn’t seem like anything is different for 2021, not even new colours.

1stRDX?

Looked through the 2021 Owners Manual that was posted yesterday and didn't see any mention of the Adaptive Front Lighting System so it looks like that has been deleted.

DJA123

Not sure anyone will lose sleep over the loss. I have it and can barely notice any benefit.

JB in AZ

Right! I had to make a concerted effort to even see if the "adaptive headlights" were working. The '15 Ford Escape Titanium we recently traded in for the '20 CRV had "cornering lights", that worked great...better idea.

fiatlux

Whoa, you can now order Acuras to spec? I was always under the impression with Acuras that the dealership could put in a request for a particular color combo + trim, but there's no guarantee if or when it would be fulfilled. Has that since changed over the last few years?

pmartone

My response to “fiatlux”:

This is my understanding: my dealership found the car I want out of a list of vehicles automatically “allotted” that are going to various dealers and he electronically “swapped it” for one of his automatically allotted vehicles, and now it somehow has my name on it and it is now coming to my dealership. Hopefully this answers your question.

What I’m a bit disappointed about is that no one seems to know what the subtle differences are between the 2020 and 2021 models, including any changes to appearance, hardware, software, or wheels. Perhaps due to COVID there are actually no changes whatsoever, except for the latest software loads?

While I expect very few changes to this 3rd model year, in the past, it wasn’t unexpected to see subtle appearance changes such as a slightly different color scheme for the taillights, or changes to the fake/plastic exterior chrome trim. What I wish would change is that Interior shiny black plastic trim surrounding the upper center console which is the worst dust collector I’ve ever seen!

I welcome comments from anyone in the know. Thank you!

Ludepower

Hope you get 10%-15% off MSRP for being a good customer.

Jordster

Before I ordered my 2020 last week, I scoured the Internet for any hints about the 2021.

I am pretty sure it will be more or less identical. The Accord, now in its third year, got exactly zero changes for year 3. The leaked service manuals had almost nothing new in them. There is evidently a PMC model coming if that’s your jam, and that will come exclusively in Orange (??!!?) but that’s about it.

If I could have asked for one change, it would be the ability to add both the sport and “advance” packages together, for a car that looks sporty AND has all of the available feature content. I still can’t believe the aspec doesn’t come with adaptive dampers, which is easily the sportiest feature of the whole car!

Tony Pac

Congrats!

Just curious, why so much delay. Due to covid, their production is slow, dealers don't have any on their lot?i know last month, the RDX sales numbers were over 5,000 units which is great for this period.

4th Acura

Congratulations. What colour combination are you getting?

pmartone

Thanks for asking. I’m getting the same color combination as my previous 5 new Acuras: Silver outside and black inside!
In my opinion, silver cars look the cleanest when they are dirty. Black leather interior also always looks clean.

4th Acura

I like silver cars. Back in the early1980s I owned a silver 280ZX. You’re right it was very easy to keep clean. Good choice.