The new 2016 RDX luxury crossover has improved steering, body styling and suspension, making this year’s model the best RDX ever.
Inside, leather trimmed, heated and ventilated front sport seats were wonderfully comfortable with remarkable driver floor space.
The driver’s 10-way power adjustable seat features two memory settings adding to the comfort level, while automatic door locks and power windows provided snug security.
The dashboard is shapely designed to be the control center. Positioned top and center was the Acura Navigation System screen with 3D road mapping of the journey ahead, with Real Time Traffic gathering freeway and street data and calculating the best possible route to avoid traffic and reduce stress.
However, I would like to have seen larger storage space provided on the inside panel of the doors and a larger clock that’s easier to locate and read.
The standard Multi-view rear camera with guidelines made backing up easy. The Advance Package model is also standard-equipped with Blind Spot Information (BSI), Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking, and dynamic guidelines on rear camera display.
Outside, the RDX appears more aggressive with a sportier fascia front and rear, and LED taillights make it a head-and-eye-turner.
This new Acura model has something called “Jewel Eye” headlights. These headlights are designed with five-separate LED lamps that combine to mimic the color of the natural white light. It is “subtle and shimmering by day, bold and piercing by night,” making the “Jewel Eye” functional as well as fashionable.
Recently I got a new phone. My old flip phone (no snickers please) was thrown into the trash bin, resting near all the other old technological relics from my former past ineptness.
My new phone arrived just in time to enjoy a new auto technology called Siri Eyes Free. As a feature of the Technology Package, this technology, once married to my accommodating smart phone, allowed me to listen and respond to incoming texts and emails, set reminders and alarms, get turn-by-turn voice navigation, and even weather reports. All this without taking my eyes off the road.
Once I mastered the art of using the feature, my grandkids marvelled at granddad’s ability, while my wife had an impressive large smile and shining-bright, inviting eyes.
The Acura RDX is powered by a 3.5 L SOHC 24-valve i-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM), driving a 6-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift and paddle shifters. The 270 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque gets you quickly (0-60 in 6.2 seconds) into traffic and hurriedly down the road. As you drive down the road quickly all six cylinders are engaged, and when lesser power is required, VCM deactivates three of the cylinders to maximize fuel efficiency.
Speaking of fuel savings, the RDX delivers fuel economy rating of 20/29/23 mpg city/hwy/combined with FWD drive train, while AWD models deliver 19/28/22.
There were no safety ratings at this time of writing.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $35,370 for the base FWD RDX and climbs up to $43,520 for the AWD with Advance Package model. Slotted between the two are AcuraWatch Plus, Technology Package, and Technology and AcuraWatch Plus Packages models. For a roughly $1,700 difference, the Advance Package adds ventilated front seats, remote engine start, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto dimming side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and fog lights to the Technology and AcuraWatch Plus Packages model.
Warranty
4-year/50,000-mile Limited Vehicle Warranty
6-year/70,000-mile Powertrain Warranty
5-year/Unlimited mile Rust-Through Warranty
Durhl Caussey writes a car column read around the world. He may be reached at this newspaper or [email protected]
