The one change for the 2020 mannequin 12 months is that this new Platinum White paint possibility.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

The third-generation Acura RDX made a really sturdy first impression when it debuted in 2018. There was loads to like about this small premium SUV, from the sharp, angular A-Spec styling to its nimble all-wheel-drive efficiency. For the 2021 mannequin 12 months, the RDX is basically the identical because it ever was, that means there’s nonetheless an entire lot to like. 

AcuraLink cabin tech

The RDX’s dashboard is dwelling to a extremely good infotainment suite that’s considerably hindered at first by its True Touchpad Interface controller. Entrance and heart you will discover a 10.2-inch HD dual-content essential show, which makes use of a split-screen interface to showcase the key infotainment features. 

Customers navigate by swiping and tapping on the small touchpad on the base of the middle stack to make on-screen picks. This True Touchpad is much like, but in addition completely different from, the one in your laptop computer. It makes use of absolute positioning, so inserting your finger within the decrease left or heart of the display screen, for instance, immediately selects objects equally positioned on the show. This makes it simple to shortly transfer across the RDX’s menus when you be taught the place every little thing is.

To the appropriate of the principle touchpad space is a scroll bar that permits customers to shortly toggle the content material displayed on that sidebar. So I will, for instance, place the presently taking part in audio supply on the appropriate third of the show alongside the elective 3D View Navigation on the principle show space. A multitasking button above the touchpad permits content material to be swapped between the 2 panes with a single faucet, on this case, holding the map seen within the sidebar whereas I choose one other radio station or audio supply.

There are additionally bodily buttons for Again and Dwelling positioned close to the touchpad and, general, it is moderately simple to maneuver by means of the interface — when you get used to it. The issue is that the training curve could be a steep one. Acura’s True Touchpad is a really small floor, requiring extra exact actions to make nice picks, equivalent to textual content entry. This may be particularly tough for right-seat passengers who’ve to make use of their left hand. For vacation spot entry, possibly stick with the moderately good natural-language voice recognition.

The True Touchpad controller takes some getting used to, however I choose it and AcuraLink to Lexus’ Distant Touchpad and Enform.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Apple CarPlay connectivity is commonplace, and Android Auto has lastly joined the social gathering, too. Interacting with them utilizing the True Touchpad is not fairly as pure as the remainder of the interface, however I am glad to see each applied sciences current, bringing hundreds of apps for audio streaming, navigation and extra to the driving force’s fingertips.

Total, I choose this technique to the same Distant Touchpad you will discover in trendy Lexus autos. Lexus Enform makes use of a fiddly cursor dot for picks that’s simple to lose monitor of and requires much more exact positioning to function. In the meantime, the Acura infotainment software program makes use of giant, easy-to-target choice packing containers for many parts of the interface, making it a lot simpler to make use of and requiring much less visible consideration whereas driving.

The RDX’s cabin tech is not restricted to the middle stack. Forward of the driving force is a 7-inch shade multi-information show tucked between the RDX’s two bodily gauges — right here, that includes A-Spec-specific crimson illumination. The RDX’s local weather controls are GPS-linked, making an allowance for the solar’s place relative to the car and its influence on the inside temperature when metering out heating and air-con between its cabin zones. Go for the Advance trim and a big, 10.5-inch head-up show will put related info proper within the driver’s line of sight. 

The split-screen interface is designed for simple multitasking.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

AcuraWatch driver-aid tech

The third-generation RDX comes commonplace with the automaker’s AcuraWatch suite of driver-aid applied sciences. Which means even the bottom mannequin rolls out with forward-collision warning with collision mitigation braking help, full-speed adaptive cruise management that works in stop-and-go visitors, and lane-keeping steering help with road-departure mitigation. Not precisely an energetic security function, however all RDX fashions additionally come commonplace with Acura’s seven-segment Jewel Eye LED headlights and LED taillights, bringing vivid, but exactly aimed illumination when driving after darkish.

That is already a stable loadout, however there are a couple of extras you’ll be able to add. Stepping as much as the Expertise bundle ($2,900) provides entrance and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The highest-tier Advance bundle upgrades to a surround-view digicam system and provides a washer to the usual rear digicam.

Look-Spec

The Expertise bundle is admittedly the candy spot within the Acura RDX lineup, bringing necessary security options, helpful cabin applied sciences and wonderful onboard navigation to the RDX’s already stable commonplace record of kit. The Advance bundle kicks the creature comforts to most and boosts literal consolation with its adaptive-damping suspension and acoustic facet glass. The A-Spec bundle lives within the center, holding all the Expertise upgrades, however buying and selling Advance consolation for a sportier look.

Out again, the A-Spec options twin exhaust retailers, and filling the wheel arches are dark-finish, 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 255/45R20 all-season tires. The all-seasons are in all probability the very best indicator that that is an look bundle solely, not a real sport improve. There are not any tweaks to the suspension or powertrain that make the A-Spec carry out higher than or really feel any sharper than the usual RDX. A minimum of it seems sharper. 

The “A” in A-Spec should stand for “look.” Apart from bigger wheels, there are not any efficiency upgrades right here.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

The RDX A-Spec options shiny black exterior trim, together with a singular rear spoiler. The shield-shaped entrance grille has a cool Black Diamond design and shade. The internals of the headlamps and taillights are additionally darker, including to the meaner look. After all, there are A-Spec badges scattered across the exterior and all through the cabin, in addition to darkish headlamp and taillight internals.

Inside, you will discover leather-trimmed sport seats — mine look improbable in crimson — with UltraSuede inserts and heated and ventilated surfaces. Extra UltraSuede will be discovered trimming numerous bits across the cabin. Crimson accent lighting and sport pedals full the A-Spec visible upgrades.

Tremendous-Dealing with All-Wheel Drive

OK, the A-Spec is not any quicker than the usual RDX, however the usual mechanical configuration is not so unhealthy. The engine bay is dwelling to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that peaks at 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The facility plant is mated to a 10-speed computerized transmission with an digital gear selector on the middle console and paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Drivers have a little bit of management over the RDX’s efficiency with an enormous Dynamic Mode choice knob close to the bottom of the middle stack. Twisting toggles between Consolation, Snow, Sport and Sport Plus modes impacts the throttle response, traction management and enhances the engine be aware for the sportier settings. My sole grievance is that the selector seems and is positioned loads like a giant, ol’ quantity knob. My passengers and I typically by accident pop the SUV into Sport mode when attempting to crank up our favourite songs.

The Dynamic Mode selector seems like (and is positioned like) a giant quantity knob, which led to a couple hilarious mishaps.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Entrance-wheel drive is commonplace, however you will positively need Acura’s fourth-generation Tremendous-Dealing with All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) improve. Usually, I solely actually advocate all-wheel drive for areas with a lot of poor climate — even then, applicable tires in all probability have a much bigger impact on security — however SH-AWD can also be a efficiency improve, which makes it helpful and even enjoyable when the roads are dry. It is positively well worth the $2,000 premium.

SH-AWD can ship as much as 70% of the engine’s accessible torque to the rear wheels on demand (the earlier era might solely handle a 50/50 cut up), which aids in energy distribution when launching from a cease. The system additionally now options 100% torque vectoring on the rear axle to help in cornering stability. If you steer right into a nook and the car’s weight begins to shift, SH-AWD will actively ship energy to the rear exterior wheel to assist steer into the nook. This new era can shuffle energy round 30% faster, which additionally makes the torque switch really feel extra seamless on the street. Chucking the RDX by means of a sequence of mid-speed S-turns or a quick set of sweeping bends, the SUV behaves and appears like a a lot smaller car.

Nonetheless, there are nonetheless these pesky legal guidelines of physics to take care of. SH-AWD depends on the throttle to help in rotation, so it would not assist a lot throughout gradual, off-throttle corners, equivalent to tight switchbacks, leaving the SUV feeling much less dynamic the slower you go. Plus, the RDX is a tall SUV with a comfort-oriented suspension, so there’s solely a lot velocity that you may carry by means of a quick flip earlier than SH-AWD merely can not help. Happily, the transition between “slaloming heroically” and “whoops, too quick” is easy and straightforward to catch. The RDX is an SUV that encourages you to push it safely.

Get the throttle software and steering good and the RDX will be an absolute deal with on the appropriate street. After all, this isn’t a sports activities automotive, so I am treating the enjoyment that SH-AWD brings underneath the appropriate situations as a bonus professional, relatively than its limitations as con. Round city, the usual MacPherson strut entrance and multilink rear suspension is snug and responsive, the electrical energy steering is good and linear and the 12-inch disc brakes in any respect 4 corners are simple to modulate and do an incredible job hauling the 4,105-pound SUV to a cease shortly and predictably.

With SH-AWD, the EPA and Acura estimate the RDX is sweet for 23 mixed miles per gallon (21 mpg metropolis and 26 mpg freeway) when utilizing the really helpful 91-octane gas. Throughout my week of testing — spent largely within the hills exploring Sport mode — I solely reached 19.1 mpg. Entrance-wheel-drive examples fare a bit higher at an estimated 24 mpg mixed, 22 metropolis mpg and 28 freeway mpg.

The RDX compares favorably to equally spec’d opponents, however the lineup is lacking each efficiency and hybrid improve paths for Acura followers on the lookout for extra.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Pricing and competitors

The 2021 Acura RDX begins at $39,225 together with its $1,025 vacation spot cost for the bottom front-drive configuration. As I stated, you positively need the $2,000 SH-AWD improve for the additional traction in poor situations and improved driving pleasure when it is dry. The $2,900 Expertise bundle can also be a worthwhile improve given the additional security tech, navigation and different options it brings to the social gathering. As I discussed earlier, the Expertise bundle is admittedly the candy spot, the place I believe most consumers can be pleased with the worth provided. 

From there, the improve path forks with both the A-Spec or Superior bundle being the following step up; you’ll be able to’t have each. The A-Spec bundle would not add any efficiency, however does deliver a sporty fashion to the RDX expertise. I like the look, however whether or not it is well worth the $3,000 improve over the Expertise bundle is a subjective resolution you will must make for your self. That going with the A-Spec blocks the improve to the extra compelling Advance bundle with its further premium options must also be thought-about for consumers seeking to take probably the most luxurious route. As examined, you are $47,125 for this SH-AWD A-Spec.

The Audi Q5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC compete hotly for the gold commonplace on this compact premium SUV class. The RDX isn’t fairly as luxurious because the Germans however nonetheless very properly appointed and, comparably geared up, prices considerably much less. Plus with SH-AWD, the Acura is only a skosh extra enjoyable to drive.

Additionally going tête-à-tête with the Acura are the Lexus RX and Volvo’s XC60. The Acura is a greater worth than the comparably priced and geared up RX 350 and XC60 T5, and can be my private choose at this worth. Nonetheless, it’s shortly outclassed by these autos’ stronger efficiency and extra environment friendly hybrid specs, leaving RDX followers seeking to transfer upmarket with much less room to develop. Maybe a future RDX Kind S with precise efficiency upgrades is so as? I am going to maintain my fingers crossed.