Apart from its terrible nine-speed transmission, we loved driving the bigger Acura MDX. The smaller RDX takes all of what we beloved in regards to the MDX and shrinks it down right into a sportier, extra full package deal. The steering has a pleasant weight for a luxurious crossover and places most of its rivals to disgrace on this space. Acura has firmed up the suspension on the A-Spec mannequin with out ruining the trip consolation, although the adaptive dampers on the usual RDX is likely to be extra interesting for customers wanting an opulent expertise. The A-Spec rides fairly firmly, although we consider will probably be livable for many patrons.
Altering the RDX’s drive modes is finished utilizing a big, NSX-inspired knob on the dashboard, which emits a cool sound straight out of an old-school Gran Turismo loading menu. Sport mode, particularly when paired with the aforementioned S transmission mode, has a noticeable impression on efficiency whereas Sport + mode causes the engine and transmission to reply with sports activities car-level pleasure. Sport + mode additionally pumps further engine noise into the cabin and makes the steering heavier, combining to create a really thrilling driving expertise.
All of the whereas, the motive force friends at their pace and rpm by way of red-on-silver gauges, which reminded us of the old-school RSX Kind-S. This RDX is the primary signal of Acura returning to the shape that made it widespread within the first place and we won’t wait to see how the corporate follows up the A-Spec package deal with a extra highly effective Kind-S variant. Whereas not missing in energy in any means, we expect a 400-hp RDX Kind-S may elegant.
