Acura RDX

ateixeira

That's funny.

I've heard it called Gun Metal. The color works when it matches the car's paint.

If you watch Overhaulin', they did a black Mustang with some graphics that were that color, to match the wheels. That looked good.

But it's not often I find that's the case.

-juice

varmint

Thanks. Someone over at TOV also cleared that up. I think you're right. Concept2 is what we'll see at the auto show. That blue version of concept1 is just a warmed over version of what we saw early this year.

FWIW, someone thinks the blue pic may have come from a special showing Acura did for dealers. No idea how credible that information is. To me, it looks like too big a production for just a dealer reveal.

varmint

I agree that the cladding on the lower third of the bumper "looks" like tacked on hardware. It has the same boy racer styling to it. Some have suggested this is the A-Spec package.

However, I don't think it actually is a set of tacked on parts. It's too integral to the design. The way the fog lights are molded into it along with other pieces suggest that it's the real deal.

ateixeira

Looks like a whole new bumper skin. Must be a full body kit if it's different than stock.

-juice

varmint

Right. That's why I don't think this is an A-spec and don't think it's just something Acura did for show. The fact that the TSX got a similar (though less nasty) chin with the MMC is another clue. It looks like the same stylist mucked up both.

ateixeira

Show cars are often a one-off. We'll see some changes for production.

The quality of that pic isn't that great, so hopefully it'll look better in the flesh.

-juice

anythngbutgm

Not to knock anything, but I was checking the production pics for the new Mazda CX-7. Gotta say, they lost something along the way. I can't pinpoint what it is, but I was truly expecting a much sharper profile. Promising enough that would expect some to cross-shop with this new Acura. This isn't a very attractve profile IMO:



Good or bad, I am expecting a few "tweaks" that would go unnoticed by the non-enthusiasts that could evidently soften the upcoming RDX. I still can't fathom the idea of two-tone bodywork across the board for the RDX, that's for sure. As Varmint mentioned it does look fully integrated though

varmint

I like the looks of the CX-7 very much. But I have to say it doesn't look especially taught. The shapes are all sexy, but over-sized.

Sorta like Jerome Bettis... an athletic build encased in an extra 40 lbs of padding.

Still like it though.

anythngbutgm

I'm not hating it, in fact i feel it is still a strong contender in the marketplace. The concept had a much more aggressive profile which for some reason looks a bit "Beaned out" (Jellybean) for the production version. I'm sure once a roof rack, side steps and rear hatch spoiler are added, it'll gain some character, but at the moment, I see a raised Mazda6 Wagon in the lines...



It is a strong contender, looking forward to checking one out.

jchan2

The CX-7 somehow reminds me of a Nissan Murano...

varmint

Ditto. It has a similar shape. But the Murano is hurt (IMO) by the immature styling of the grill and lights.

Concept1 for the RDX had the right shape and the right details. They killed some of the details with concept2.

nowakj66

navigator89

According to Karl's blog it will be on Monday January 9 from 2:35-3:00.

varmint

Apparently, one of the morning shows released information about the engine. 240 hp. No other details. No idea if that's truly reliable, since Acura hasn't released anything official. The TV people might've goofed up the dates of the press embargo, though.

nwx

http://www.hondanews.com/CatID3046?mid=2006010451080&mime=asc

Sounds and looks really nice. I'm getting on the list!

navigator89

http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/01/09/detroit-2006-acura-rdx-prototype-suv/

A few pictures have broken links. :mad:

steveaccord

Hi guys,

A long time since my last post I admit but I checked in from time to time. I must say that I must thank you for the timely posting of the link. I am having a ball at checking the new information for this vehicle.
As always I also am mesmerized by the accuracy of some of the guess work done way ahead of having any reliable information from official sources.
Excellent job and thank you again to the many contributors.
Of course I will also leave the usual round of questions to conlude my posting.
What are now your thought in regard to pricing of the model as presented?
I left the forum months back when debating the 4 vs. 6 cilinders and the pricing the 2 otpions would entice. I do not believe the turbo option was fully explored because it was the most tentative (I apologize if it has been already discussed previously, than I must have missed the posts).
My istincts suggest that the turbo option per se would be compatible with an entry price at about 30K but what about all the extras that seem to be there?
I will be following with interest what the pricing options will be (not many as usual I guess). Fall is fast approaching and I would love to replace my wife CRV with an RDX if it does not get priced way above the 30-32K (that is an upward revision for me since originally I even hald hope for a 28K entry level pricing).
Truly,

Steve

anythngbutgm

Looks like the two-tone treatment is going to make it to production. Overall, it looks better than I was expecting, and the interior looks to be top notch. Those tailpipe extenders are huge! Maybe it'll give it a racy exhaust note, which would add to the sprtiness, thats for sure.

Kinda wondering how the rear hatch seam is going to work though...


All in all I like it.

nwx

Looks like the taillights get split down the middle from this angle, giving the hatch a "T" shape.
Doubt there'll be much room in there anyway... :P

anythngbutgm

I was hoping they would have quick release handles to lower the second row seats like the Nissan Murano.

nowakj66

I have not seen any photos of the back seat. I am hoping for an Accord size interior but maybe that is expecting too mcuh.

jchan2

Sounds good. Too bad I'm not buying anything like an RDX anytime soon.

2moreyears

Is this the actual production model, or still a prototype. TO be honest, I'm a little dissapointed that more styling cues were added from the TL, TSX, RL generation. Also, what was Acura thinking with it's dashboard. Every dash and center stack currently in its lineup is extremely appealing. But now Acura has cut a corner and the dash looks like the designers closed their eyes and started throwing buttons. I can only hope that the MMI or whatever Acura's NAV system is called is optional to keep prices down. Otherwise, the RDX looks like a great car, and look forward to buying it. I just wish that in a year, acura had done a little more.

bodble2

The roof-line has some resemblance to the Infiniti FX, especially at the C pillar. Overall has a slight awkward look to it. Appears overstyled.... Hope it doesn't inherit the awful foot parking brake from the MDX, but I don't see a console handbrake..... Maybe an electronic parking brake ala A6 and LR3? Probably to much to ask for!....Hope Honda finally sees fit to equip it with auto headlights!

x5killer

I saw someone say the CX-7 reminds them of the Murano. All of these newer crossover car like utes look similiar but I see more of the Tribeca being copied for both the RDX and the Mazda but more in the CX-7.

The main thing I'm wondering is the size of the RDX. I like Acura somewhat as a brand mostly for their technology they put inside which seems to be top notch right now. I originally thought I heard/read though that the RDX was going to be more like X3 size in which case I'm out.

I do realize it doesn't have a 3rd row which I dont really need so as long as it has decent legroom in the back seat and a decent sized cargo area I'd be interested. I'm all about the sportier more agile in handling crossover suv's. Currently the FX seems to be the best in the handling dept. but the Tribeca is surprisingly close and beat the Murano in handling tests.

I currenlty have a B9 Tribeca but if the RDX has at least the tech inside of an Acura TL and is at least close to the size of the Tribeca and has handling like an FX35 or at least as good or better then the Tribeca then count me in.

x5killer

I like the bluish purple gauge lights and all but the interior shape is still kind of flat and oldschool squarish. I guess I"m now spoiled by the B9 Tribeca's cockpit which somehow came out with one of the best designed and most rounded well designed comforting and interesting yet intuitive cockpits to date.

nowakj66

This strikes me as an awful lot like a Subaru Forester XT Turbo with a nicer interior and exterior. Similar displacement turbo motor and 5 seat configuation.

What makes the Forester not work for me is the small back seat.

My hopes for the RDX are good legroom in the back seat and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel up front.

Kirstie_H

Check out the photos from the Detroit Auto Show and add your own comments:
http://blogs.edmunds.com/.ee8e53b

varmint

The RDX is significantly smaller than the Tribeca when it comes to passenger and cargo space. It is probably slightly smaller than the FX. While the RDX uses a completely new platform, these same underpinnings will be used for the next generation CR-V. So think of it as CR-V sized.

Handling should be very good to great. The SH-AWD system has the potential to turn an ordinary driver into a real performance machine. I dunno that it will match the BMW X3 in terms of driving "feel", but I anticipate it will be close enough for the majority of buyers.

TOV has pics of the rear seats and cargo area. The cargo space is about what you'd expect for a small SUV. It's similar to the Escape, new RAV4, or CR-V. The rear seats also have good space, although... they look like a plank. There's very little contour to the seat cushions. I smell cost-cutting. Something tells me they just stuck leather on the same rear seats to be used for the next gen CR-V. The front seats look fine.

anythngbutgm

"While the RDX uses a completely new platform, these same underpinnings will be used for the next generation CR-V. So think of it as CR-V sized."

Is it completely new? I thought it was TSX based, which in turn is Accord based. I apologize if I am incorrect. I expect to see any new Honda platforms to be big news in the Automotive world.

varmint

It is completely new. We've known that since the last concept was shown. Whether the platform is similar to any other is a different matter.

For example, the Ody was the first to use the Global Light Truck platform, which was all new at the time. However, it is recognized that this is an over-sized variation on the Global Car Platform (Accord).

So, the RDX might be the first on a new platform losely-based on another.

nowakj66

Any good sources for photos of the rear seat of the RDX?

carlsbad

I do like the interior. However, I much prefer a touch screen for the navigation and audio controls than a BMW type I-drive control.

varmint

TOV has a pretty good gallery. It includes pics of the rear seats and close-ups of the center stack. No picks of the rear seats while folded, though.

ksoman

i can't wait to see one in person, probably at the ny auto show...

i like it less than the concept, but hey, concepts are never 100% reality.

i can't wait to drive one... maybe finally i'll move away from smaller car like the bmw 3 and make the cross over plunge... just maybe...

ksso

badsaab

Several things cross my mind when I see the RDX- the first being that it looks very promising and might be the best of all worlds. Some questions though- 1) Any chance this is a hint as to the style of the next MDX? 2) What is the word on roof rails for the MDX for bike carriers, etc- the X3 has them, 3) at some angles does the car look a little like a Toyota Matrix (I hope not, but I see it sometimes). Let me know your thoughts.

varmint

The way the roof arcs back and how the rear glass is shaped does look like the Matrix.

But I don't think we can conclude anything about the MDX based on this vehicle. They have been developed at the same time. So Acura would have the same priorities, ideas, and fashion sense. But that also means completely different design teams.

ateixeira

Than the pics we had floating around. The side mirrors are body color, and the front end seems a little cleaner, though it still lacks the built-in rhino bar from the concept.

The front also makes a "X" shape, that I'm not crazy about.

The profile and rear are more successful, especially the dual exhaust.

Don't like those dirty-chrome wheels but I read that they're optional.

Powertrain sounds great, low-lag turbo should be a hoot. It's smallish so it should be light enough to be fun. SH-AWD will help a lot too.

I think this is one vehicle you will have to drive to buy. It won't compare well on paper to bigger models with a V6, but I bet it drives nicely. I'd like to try one out.

They could have been a little more creative with that interior, that was a little disappointing. There aren't enough curves.

-juice

kyfdx

... I wouldn't be surprised to see a base price of $33,900..

I think a lot of us were hoping for TSX-like pricing... with only a $2K premium for AWD.. it seems to be coming in priced more like an AWD TL, instead...

So, what else is new..

ateixeira

That's about on target. The CX7 will cost a bunch less but Mazda doens't have the cachet that Acura does, neither does Subaru (Forester XT) for that matter.

Having said that, the bang-for-buck crowd will go for the F-XT, and the folks shopping for space might prefer the CX-7, which seems slightly bigger. But the RD-X has the sophisticated AWD system and enough luxury features to stand out.

-juice

badsaab

Does anyone have a clue about the release of the New MDX or what it will be like. It seems odd that Acura is bringing out two new vehicles so close together. Is the MDX going to be a completely new model or a refresh/ facelift like the Pilot got?

My guess is that with the RDX filling the mid 30k range, the MDX will climb up into the mid 40's with ease.

jmeitz

Just spoke with dealer and they said it would be based around the low 30's and on the show room floor by June/July.

varmint

Acura is being intentionally vague about pricing, admitting only that the RDX will start in the mid-$30,000 range. The X3 starts at $36,800 so we suspect it will be less than that. Expect to see RDXs at dealers next summer.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/AutoshowArticles/articleId=108837

This thing is loaded up like the TL, not the TSX (as we originally expected). Figure out how much the market would pay for a vehicle with the features of a TL, the power of a TL, and then add 3,000 to pay for the new transmission and SH-AWD.

badsaab

So what reason has Acura offered for going with a turbo 4 rather than the 6 from the TL? My hope is a good mix of power and fuel economy (the only good thing I can say about our Saab's T4)

varmint

I don't think they have given an official reason. However, fuel economy (versus a V6) is the only plausible one repeated by the rumor mill.

ateixeira

Well, if you want a 6 they'd rather sell you a more profitable MDX anyway.

A V6 RD-X might have cannibalized its big brother.

I also wonder if a V6 would fit in the engine bay? The turboo 4 gets a TMIC (top-mounted intercooler), which is very space efficient. Basically it just needs a hood a couple of inches taller than normal, something it already has.

I like turbos. At altitude, this thing is going to walk away from an X3, even the 3.0.

-juice

bodble2

I have some concerns over maintenance and long-term reliability issues with a turbo. My experience with Honda V6's is that they are almost maintenance-free. I've never even have to top-up oil between changes with their V6's. A turbo may be more finicky in terms of maintenance.

ateixeira

Maybe...

Modern turbos are so much better than before, I'm sure Honda would not have done one if it didn't think it would last.

Would I use synthetic? Yes, probably so.

The turbo will probably require premium fuel, too. Required, not just "recommended". When you compress air like that the effective compression ratio is much higher than normal.

-juice

robertsmx

Audio controls reside on steering wheel too. You wouldn't have to fiddle with the central knob to change anything. Or, you could just use voice-activated controls (for NAV too).

robertsmx

One reason I can imagine would be that it makes for a smaller package, and RDX's engine bay may not be designed to carry a V6. Besides, this powertrain could be lifted and used in other Acura (TSX) if need be, another car whose chassis is apparently not designed to house a V6.

Fuel economy may be another.