Featured User Review: Acura RDX

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Featured Review: 2009 Acura RDX

by Dave

Price Paid: $34000.00
Review Date: August 13, 2009
Overall Rating: 5 of 5
Value Rating: 4 of 5
Used product for: More than 1 year

Summary:
I love my RDX! I thought I would miss the car like feel by going to a SUV but not true with the RDX. It literally feels like a sports car behind the wheel. Very agile for a 4000 lbs vehicle! SH-AWD is AWESOME on both dry pavement and snow/ice. I just loved driving it in the snow this past winter. I purposely took the back roads unpaved by the plows just for the fun of it. Couldn’t get this thing stuck in the snow if I tried. Great AWD!!!

The build quality and amenities are great. I only got the base model as I couldn’t justify the extra $3K for GPS basically. The base premium stereo is awesome “as is” and is one of the best stereos I’ve ever heard in a car. Don’t need the DVD-A as with the tech package.

I love the look of the RDX. Looks refreshing and sporty from any angle. Paint quality is perfection. The 18 inch base rims and tires are just right. Big but not too big. Gives the RDX a strong athletic appearance.

The 2.3 liter 4-cylinder turbo is a marvel. Great engine to power the SH-AWD. Granted it’s only a five speed tranny the gears are well picked and work well with this SUV. Performance is quite good all considering 4000 lbs. Matter of fact this SUV feels so agile and nimble it’s easy to forget you’re throwing around 4000 lbs! The turbo really gives a good punch as needed. Gas mileage is mediocre but hey, can’t have your cake and eat it to!?

I bought my RDX back in June 2008. Other than the passenger power window switch dying, reliability has been perfect. Dealer replaced switch. Simple fix. I’ve owned/driven Acura vehicles since 1993 and love them. I must say I think the RDX is my favorite Acura to date. I could have gone with the MDX but it seemed just too big for my needs. The RDX fits the bill perfectly for a small SUV without giving up sports car like driveability! Oh, seats and driver position feel perfect and very comfortable and I’m 6′ 2″.

Strengths:
Sports car feel in a small SUV. SH-AWD is the best thing since sliced bread!

Weaknesses:
I really have no cons for this car (SUV) other than stiff ride, but, it’s a very small sacrifice!