It's an exciting time to be an automotive fan because of all the great options there are out there. With the Canadian Auto show just around the corner, it'll be exciting to see what else is in store for the upcoming year!
This past year, I was really looking forward to driving the redesigned 2019 Acura RDX, the brand's compact SUV/Crossover, which stood out to me for a variety of reasons. I'll get into that, but I do want to mention that this vehicle has been fairly successful over the years, so it's nice to see Acura improving an already great car.
It's also notable to mention that the previous model wasn't as exciting as other luxury competitors, (think of the X3/5, Q5, etc) so Acura has rehauled the RDX into something that turns heads, without dismissing performance and aesthetics. As with all the updated Acura models, the 2019 RDX has the diamond-pentagon grille, which is similar to but wider and larger than it's
predecessor. Style wise, you'll notice sharper and bolder features, which gives it the exciting silhouette that it has. The RDX is still a top seller, but the new one (as everyone will agree) looks better in every manner.
With the A-Spec trim, you're getting premium black accents across the grille and other areas, giving it that refined luxury feel. Under the hood, the RDX has a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 272 horsepower, making it fairly fuel efficient, especially when driving on the comfort mode. During my time driving the RDX, I managed to average just 10 liters per 100km, which was great, but not quite as good as the Honda CR-V. With driving modes in mind, you're given a total of 4, which allow you to adjust to whatever driving style you'd like. I personally stuck to comfort for most of my driving, since it was wasn't off-roading or anything of the sort.
The interior was beyond my expectations. Modernity plays a key role in highlighting the interior's extravagance, making it feel like you're in a sports car (draws some cues from the NSX with the center console and seating). The True Touchpad - a new feature that doubles as an effective tool and infotainment system - has accurate positioning to make your driving experience safer; ultimately preventing you from having to reach over to touch a screen. Despite this not really being an issue for myself, this is extremely beneficial to drivers who have a shorter reach for typical touchscreens. The panoramic moon roof is also something worth noting, because it really adds to the cabin's driving experience - especially on road trips.
"Sometimes it's a little better to travel than to arrive" - Robert M. Pirsig,
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
I picked out a quote that I really enjoyed from a book that I'm currently reading, and it resonated with my experience driving the RDX. I found that this particular vehicle was one of the most enjoyable rides for a road trip - to the point where I yearned to drive it even more. As a guy who genuinely enjoys driving long distances, I couldn't have asked for a better companion. We took this bad boy to Quebec City over the holidays and there wasn't a dull moment for Julie and I. The interior really proved to be one of the most comfortable cabins for long distances - mostly because of the seats (worth mentioning that the brown colour really set a cozy mood for the journey), and the infotainment system was really intuitive and easy to use. In my opinion, the combination of the features and aesthetics of the 2019 RDX really justify the price point of the this luxury crossover (A-Spec Model starting at $50,290) - making it very comparable and competitive with it's European rivals.
Photography is courtesy of Ahmed Alkoka (@ahmedalkoka) and myself.