ACURA’S NEW 2017 RDX
Luxury sung in sotto voce
In the last decade, Americans have fallen in love with crossover SUVs, and few offer better value than the Acura’s compact crossover, the RDX.
Built to truck-like dimensions on a car-like chassis, SUVs provide a pleasant array of capability, capable of hauling people and cargo—or combinations thereof—while providing wonderful visibility, above average safety and riding and handling like a well-built touring car. Built on the same platform as the popular Honda CR-V, the Acura RDX takes it up a notch with better seats, premium trim and a V6 that delivers a boatload of extra power while achieving nearly as good fuel economy.
The addition of Honda’s praiseworthy V6 also makes the RDX a strong player in a luxury compact SUV class that includes worthy competitors like the Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, BMW X3, Audi Q5, Lincoln MKC, and Volvo XC60.
Though the RDX’ cabin is not quite as luxurious as its rivals’, it gets a leg up by offering the naturally aspirated V6 in a class in which turbocharged 4-bangers are de rigueur. It also helps that the starting price of $35,670 is in the bottom quartile of the class.
It’s fair to say that the V6 is the best engine from Honda, a company known for building great engines. Let’s look at the numbers. Under the RDX’ hood is 279-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 that puts out 279 hp and 252 ft-lb of torque.. The Lexus NX and Mercedes GLC both have 2.0-L, intercooled and turbocharged I-4 engines. The Lexus turns 235 hp and 258 torque, and the Mercedes cranks out 241 hp and 273 torque.
Thanks to variable cylinder management, which deactivates three cylinders under light load, the RDX has nearly identical fuel economy—21 city, 28 highway—as the Lexus. The Mercedes is rated at 22/28.
All three are exceptionally well built. J.D. Powers and Associates gives the RDX three out of five stars for predicted reliability, while the Lexus NX and Mercedes GLC each earn four. The NX and RDX have similar starting prices, while the Mercedes is about $4,000 greater.
In average actual sales price, the RDX sells for around $34,000, the NX for $36,000 and the GLC goes off the lot for around $39,000.
One reason for that is the RDX pricing structure. There is only one model, so features are available in packages. Usually, manufacturers limit certain desirable options to top-of-line models, which creates sort of a double whammy: You pay for the higher trim line, then for the option, or the package in which it is contained.
One package you must buy is the AcuraWatch Plus package ($1,300), which provides Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System™ and Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Departure Warning. I know folks are uncomfortable with this technology, but I wonder how many drivers who have died in the I-30 construction zone would be alive today if their cars had hit the brakes for them before they plowed into the
With the RDX, Acura shows it can build a luxury automobile for the new age.
back of an 18-wheeler.
The most you can spend on an RDX, with AWD and every option available, is a little less than $44,000. If you want seating for seven, you can step up to the MDX, which runs from $44,050 to $58,500, which sort of makes the RDX the value leader in its own showroom, too.
Behind the wheel, the RDX is good, not great. Not all the interior materials have a premium feel, so the Acura does not quite escape its Honda origins. The materials are soft touch, and assembly is immaculate, but the car does not sing luxury the way the Lexus or Mercedes do. (For a sleeper in this class, check out the new Nissan Murano, which has a lovely interior).
The Lexus NX has previously earned high praise in this space, especially for its driver-friendly handling. That comes at the expense of a firmer suspension, however, so it's fair to say that which is preferable is a matter of taste. If you value sportiness, the NX is for you. If comfortable and composed suits you better, the RDX is your machine.
If you want cache', the BMW or Mercedes-Benz might suit you better.
Bottom Line: The Acura RDX may not advertise its owners' affluence, but is a solid, good looking, finely crafted vehicle