2016 Acura RDX VIDEO REVIEW

2016 Acura RDX VIDEO REVIEW by Auto Critic Steve Hammes

As Acura continues to rebuild their car lineup, the SUV side is enjoying robust success and the smaller of their 2 entries has just been refreshed for 2016. The RDX now sports more assertive styling with the brand’s beloved Jewel Eye LED headlights, a new wheel design, mechanical changes leading to more power, refinement and surefooted handling backed by an abundance of advanced safety features.

I’m not exactly sure where Acura is headed but it’s clear that the industry as a whole is migrating ever more towards crossovers and SUVs. And that’s great news for Honda’s premium brand because even though they only have 2 of them in their lineup, greater than 6 out of every 10 vehicles they sell is either an RDX or MDX. Introduced in 2007 and last redesigned in 2013, this 2016 RDX is now an even stronger entry in the Premium SUV segment.

The original’s styling was very youthful and perhaps a bit too juvenile. The 2^nd generation went too far the other way, eliciting boredom. But this lightly restyled design makes inroads towards fixing that, at least when viewed from the ends where the 3-dimensional grille treatment, updated front and rear fasciae and LED lighting provide more visual pop. The new 18” wheels have the same effect wrapped in top-notch Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires. My beefs are still with its slab-sided profile and my biggest pet peeve of all, the mismatched foglights which are ironically only available as part of the Advance Package.

Another notable area of change, though subtle, is the under the hood. The 3.5-liter V6 remains but receives the latest i-VTEC valvetrain, leading to a modest bump in horsepower and torque, rated at 279 and 252 respectively. Tangibly it puts more immediacy under your right foot where the RDX feels reactive and alive and comes replete with a Sport mode and paddle shifters. Interestingly, the variable displacement system that knocks off cylinders under light load for the purpose of gas savings now runs on either all or half of the chambers but no longer just 4 of them. No worries though as the 2016 RDX sees its highway fuel economy rating go from 27 to 28mpg and remains at 19mpg city on premium.

Though I’m impressed with the recent ILX refresh, it’s evident to me that this is Acura’s best vehicle. In a market being flooded with turbocharged engines and fuel-saving transmissions, there’s something to be said for keeping it simple with a traditional V6 and 6-speed auto. That’s not to say this powertrain doesn’t have modern advancements, but it’s refreshing to see a small SUV drive so smoothly and organically with power now on tap across a broader range of speeds. Very quiet inside with the most forgiving ride quality in the segment, the RDX is very likeable, powerful and composed.

Despite the fact the RDX gave up its Super Handling version in 2013, this front to rear all-wheel drive system is now more biased aft to enhance handling. The other headlining changes come in the form of expanded safety technologies and this can get confusing because there are 10 RDX trim levels revolving around 3 key packages; AcuraWatch Plus, Technology and this new line-topping RDX AWD with Advance Package which has them all, priced at $44,340. Key features include rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, remote start, front and rear parking sensors and ventilated front seats in addition to the bevy of radar and camera fusion technology that brings a Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and much more. And you know that small front overlap crash test the automakers have been studying for? Well, the RDX has had its body structure enhanced for the purpose of acing it.

You’re well aware of my previous admonitions concerning Acura’s dual screen infotainment system, but I didn’t feel like ripping it out of the car this week – as a matter of fact we got along pretty well especially when my voice commands were understood on the first try even with a complicated navi input. Some new brightwork has been added, the seats are soft leather comfortable, there’s plenty of storage space and it generally works as simply as it looks even though there are a multitude of features. Like music? The Panasonic ELS 10-speaker Surround Sound system is a work of art. The rear seats are elevated for better all-around visibility – great for kids and those prone to car sickness – and offer true 3 across seating with a flat floor and plenty of leg room, even though the seats neither slide nor recline. And cargo room lies in the sweet spot with handles to drop the rear seats without further fussing. I already mentioned how quiet it is inside – touches like this are part of the reason.

A base front drive RDX starts at $36,190 but this AWD Advance model is where it’s at for techies who appreciate the added convenience and security it offers.

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