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2007 Acura RDXImagine the RD-X with larger conventional door handles, outside mirrors and slightly less radical head- and taillights, and you've got...
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Imagine the RD-X with larger conventional door handles, outside mirrors and slightly less radical head- and taillights, and you've got Acura's answer to the BMW X3. Expect it to hit Acura's showrooms in 2006 still carrying the RD-X name. Based on the Honda Civic platform, the RD-X is approximately 7 inches shorter than an Acura MDX. The RD-X resembles its larger brother, but its look is more chiseled. Acura is keeping the SUV's engine a secret for now, but it did say the RD-X will have over 200 hp, the high-tech SH-AWD system from the company's RL flagship sedan and four-wheel independent suspension. Sadly, its huge Brembo disc brakes and 19-inch wheels and tires will not. Although the RD-X concept shown in Detroit was packed with space-age gizmos and gadgets, the production version is likely to incorporate more current technology like a navigation system with voice recognition and a satellite communication system, which includes real-time traffic information.
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13 Reviews from Epinions.com
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2007 Acura RDX
The following is based upon 17,000 miles with the RDX after 7 months of ownership:
I'm extremely disappointed in the powertrain. Over all, the RDX is worthy of some praise. The vehicle appears to be extremely solid and built of one piece, good handling and nimble, very slow off the line, comfortable, practical and well designed. It is safe, reliable, comfortable etc. etc. I am not minimizing its attributes. However, the automatic transmission coupled with the turbo-4 and ..... I feel that I am usually playing the "wait for power" game. Between the turbo's lag -yes it really exists- and the transmission's being in too high a gear 25-50% of the time, I find myself cussing this powertrain ---in an otherwise very good vehicle. I press the pedal 3/4 and... nothing. I am still in second gear at 5-10 MPH waiting for the power which doesn't appear. Where is first!!? Wait.... Throw it into S-Manual mode. Nice try. Paddle shifters sound like a good idea but are limited in practice. To shift from 5th to 2nd for example requires three depresses on the left shift paddle at slow intervals. If the paddle is popped three times in rapid succession, nothing happens! The system responds slowly. And, there is no way to know definitively what gear one is in without checking the dashboard readout. This, on top of the turbo's lag and the auto box's upshift happy tendency in either "D" or "S" modes, leads to a very frustrating driving experience for the seasoned manual transmission driver. Another observation of powertrain characteristics: During normal driving around town, when more power is called for by rapidly depressing the accelerator .5 inches to a full inch, there is a one to two second blip when the power actually diminishes before a downshift.
In my opinion, these "power-failures" can be downright dangerous. Too often, power is simply not there when you need it.
This is such a shame because the RDX is otherwise such a fine and high-powered performance vehicle. Count me as 'starting to look for my next vehicle". Too bad. With one of Honda/Acura's fine manuals, this would pretty much all be moot.
I met someone recently who test drove the RDX and ruled it out because of powertrain lag. He noted that in a situation such as maneuvering into a hole in tight traffic, acceleration response was unreliable and unpredictable. The only way to be assured of power is to nearly punch it -resulting in a very strong jolt of power. However when one needs to floor it so very often just to rouse a response from the powertrain, this jolt quickly gets tiresome.
On top of powertrain issues, the RDX has a very rough hard ride which gets uncomfortable over many miles –even on the highway. Moreover, road and wind noise are pronounced at hwy speeds of 75 mph and above. On the plus side, after 17,000 miles, the only reliability/quality problem I experienced were a couple of intermittent rattles that mostly diminished over time. Fuel economy averaged 20 mpg at 80 percent highway driving at about 80 MPH.
I have traded in my RDX.
Powertrain Blues
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Pros: Handling, Practicality, Reliability, Value, Comfortable Seats, not too big
Cons: Extremely sluggish off the line, dangerously unreliable and unpredictable power delivery, no available manual.
The Bottom Line:
Fatally flawed power delivery. With a manual transmission, engine tweaks, more sound insulation and a more compliant ride, the RDX could earn 5 stars. As is, avoid it.
The following is based upon 17,000 miles with the RDX after 7 months of ownership:
I'm extremely disappointed in the powertrain. Over all, the RDX is worthy of some praise. The vehicle appears to be extremely solid and built of one piece, good handling and nimble, very slow off the line, comfortable, practical and well designed. It is safe, reliable, comfortable etc. etc. I am not minimizing its attributes. However, the automatic transmission coupled with the turbo-4 and ..... I feel that I am usually playing the "wait for power" game. Between the turbo's lag -yes it really exists- and the transmission's being in too high a gear 25-50% of the time, I find myself cussing this powertrain ---in an otherwise very good vehicle. I press the pedal 3/4 and... nothing. I am still in second gear at 5-10 MPH waiting for the power which doesn't appear. Where is first!!? Wait.... Throw it into S-Manual mode. Nice try. Paddle shifters sound like a good idea but are limited in practice. To shift from 5th to 2nd for example requires three depresses on the left shift paddle at slow intervals. If the paddle is popped three times in rapid succession, nothing happens! The system responds slowly. And, there is no way to know definitively what gear one is in without checking the dashboard readout. This, on top of the turbo's lag and the auto box's upshift happy tendency in either "D" or "S" modes, leads to a very frustrating driving experience for the seasoned manual transmission driver. Another observation of powertrain characteristics: During normal driving around town, when more power is called for by rapidly depressing the accelerator .5 inches to a full inch, there is a one to two second blip when the power actually diminishes before a downshift.
In my opinion, these "power-failures" can be downright dangerous. Too often, power is simply not there when you need it.
This is such a shame because the RDX is otherwise such a fine and high-powered performance vehicle. Count me as 'starting to look for my next vehicle". Too bad. With one of Honda/Acura's fine manuals, this would pretty much all be moot.
I met someone recently who test drove the RDX and ruled it out because of powertrain lag. He noted that in a situation such as maneuvering into a hole in tight traffic, acceleration response was unreliable and unpredictable. The only way to be assured of power is to nearly punch it -resulting in a very strong jolt of power. However when one needs to floor it so very often just to rouse a response from the powertrain, this jolt quickly gets tiresome.
On top of powertrain issues, the RDX has a very rough hard ride which gets uncomfortable over many miles –even on the highway. Moreover, road and wind noise are pronounced at hwy speeds of 75 mph and above. On the plus side, after 17,000 miles, the only reliability/quality problem I experienced were a couple of intermittent rattles that mostly diminished over time. Fuel economy averaged 20 mpg at 80 percent highway driving at about 80 MPH.
I have traded in my RDX.
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