2019 Acura RDX Review with Video
2019 Acura RDX A-Spec
MSRP: $45,800
Engine/Power/Torque: 2.0 Liter Turbo 4 / 270 hp / 282 ft/lbs
0-60: 6.6
MPG as observed in mixed driving: 22
Text/Video: Yousef Alvi // Photography: Richard Maneen and Geoff Dennis
It’s funny. Only a few short weeks back, I named the 2019 X3 xDrive28i one of the best luxury crossovers on the market. That is up until I drove this 2019 RDX A-Spec. Everything that made the BMW great makes the Acura great but everything that wasn’t great…was improved in the Acura. Let me explain.
Let’s start off with the looks. The X3 (with the M suspension) is a taut looking and sporty crossover. Lowered that little bit that..the X3 looks more like a tall wagon than a SUV and to me that makes it look fantastic. Add that to an aggressive design and a bit more panache and you have the RDX A-Spec. In the A-Spec guise the RDX is transformed into a sharp looking athletic machine. The front, rear and sides all scream refined aggressiveness…it’s a design language that Lexus attempted to create a few years back but unfortunately stumbled out of the gate. Acura learned from their mistake and the RDX just plain looks good!
On the interior the X3 is covered in fine materials throughout. Second row seating is a bit tight and the door opening are a bit narrow. Those are fixed in the RDX. Second row seating is generous and the RDX offers a wide passage in. Material wise it’s almost up there with the X3 but the A-Spec guise add a set of giddy inspiring RSX Type-S inspired gauges, different seats etc. Overall the interior quality of the X3 is markedly better and quieter but at the same time it’s more boring. There is a sense of occasion with the RDX’s interior, with the Drive Mode Selector, the gauges and overall flow…just makes the RDX a bit more exciting place to sit.
Performance wise is where the RDX makes it mark. The X3 is a bit quicker at 6.3 seconds to 60 but it’s not far off the pace of the RDX at 6.6 seconds. But what sets the RDX apart is the lack of a throttle lag. The X3 is cursed with it and it ruins the driving experience because it happens sporadically. The RDX takes off like a banshee from a stop and the SH-AWD system is nothing short of amazing. SH-AWD is a fully active AWD system and it will route power to a single wheel if necessary to maximize traction. What that gives you inspired handling no matter what. The X3 does have better steering feel, input and weight. The RDX mill is just a tad too light for me but it’s light years better than the steering in the old RDX.
So overall what do I think of the 2019 Acura RDX A-Spec? Let’s forget about the X3 for a second. It’s so good that it honestly negates the TLX and MDX from Acura’s lineup. The RDX is just better value, better performance, better interior and it’s just well…overall better.
